The Food and Agriculture Organisation joined the Office of the Governor in the Omaheke Region to address the pressing issue of food insecurity and malnutrition induced by severe drought.
Speaking at the official handover of agricultural equipment at Gobabis, Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative, Dr. Diao Qingyun, pledged support in building resilience, including empowering communities to withstand future climate shocks.
"It is my honour to highlight the materials we are symbolically handing over today, including Lohmann brown layers chickens, chicken feed, egg trays, solar-powered pumps, photovoltaic panels, water tanks, and drip irrigation systems. We are also providing barley seeds for use in existing hydroponic fodder production structures that FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture deployed in various regions a few years ago."
The impact of climate change has become more severe in Namibia's rangelands, and water sources are increasingly coming under pressure.
The Vice Chairperson of the Omaheke Youth Cooperative, Ismael Matheus, pointed out that the donation will not only better the food systems but will also empower young people.
"We have been struggling with water; at least everything will go smoothly as materials are on-site. We got our chickens yesterday; we will be here to take care of the things. As volunteers, we will do our best, as we promise to give more of our effort, and we are eager to see this project bearing more fruits."
Omaheke Governor, Pijoo Nganate, emphasised that fighting hunger and malnutrition requires everyone on board for sustenance.
"We want to have greenhouses, and the produce there will be for the market, while the produce to be planted behind the greenhouse will be for community purposes, feeding our soup kitchen and making sure that our children are getting the necessary nutritious food so that they don't need to suffer from underfeeding and malnutrition, and so that we don't see deaths in this region."
The Food and Agriculture Organisation has also extended its interventions on climate-resilient practices and promoting sustainable agriculture to the Erongo, Hardap, Kunene, and Otjozondjupa Regions.