Erongo Governor Nathalia |Goagoses is calling for greater investment in urban agriculture and agricultural training to help combat malnutrition and improve household food security.

Speaking at the 2026 COSDEF and COSDEC Stakeholder Engagement Breakfast in Swakopmund, |Goagoses said vocational training centres could equip communities with practical food production skills, enabling them to grow nutritious crops, reduce reliance on purchased food and generate income.

She highlighted the contrast between Erongo's status as one of Namibia's key economic hubs and the poverty experienced by some communities, noting that the region's economic activity and natural resources have not adequately translated into improved living conditions for all residents.

The governor said promoting urban farming could help vulnerable households improve access to nutritious food while making productive use of available land and resources.

Malnutrition remains a concern, particularly among children, as inadequate nutrition can affect growth, learning and overall development while increasing vulnerability to illness.

"Erongo is not spared from malnutrition cases. You worship the mayor. I heard the scary news recently that children in the Erongo Region in Walvis Bay and Circle are dying. Statistics were given by someone from the Ministry of Health. Very painful story, and we need to do something about it, and the answer was given in the answer here. Let us have agriculture. Let us link COSEDC with our communities."

|Goagoses called for stronger links between vocational skills development and food security, saying agricultural training could empower communities to produce their own food and improve their livelihoods.