In the face of increasing climate threats and a lack of food, Namibia has taken a decisive step to protect its most vulnerable communities.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and the government partnered to take urgent action to build resilience in the hardest-hit regions.

Local farmers in Okombahe received essential farming equipment and climate-smart agro-inputs aimed at transforming agriculture and securing the nation's food future.

Many subsistence farmers in the Erongo region face severe poverty and struggle to adopt alternative livelihoods due to limited resources.

Some of them still rely on traditional, outdated farming methods, which are increasingly ineffective amid changing weather patterns and prolonged dry spells.

In response, FAO has mobilised emergency funding of US$500,000 through its Technical Cooperation Programme to support the Erongo, Kunene, Hardap, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa regions. 

Its representative, Patrice Talla, explained that the programme's goal is to complement government efforts in building agricultural resilience through climate-smart interventions.

"As we hand over these agro-inputs, including gardening tools, vegetables, wheat, and barley seeds, climate-smart irrigation equipment, and solar-powered pumps, we are not only delivering essential resources but also empowering our communities to build resilience, improve production and productivity, and add value to their agricultural produce."

The Chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Florian Donatus, and the Chief Regional Officer of Erongo, Mupenzeni Ntelamo, urged beneficiaries to capitalise on the equipment.