Empowering youth with entrance to agriculture

Environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta officiated the handover of the Fransfontein community garden, energy efficient stoves, goats, and rehabilitated boreholes as part of the "Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management Practices of Smallholder Farmers under Conditions of Climate Change" project in Namibia's Sesfontein, Fransfontein, and Warmquelle areas, known as the IREMA Project.

In preparation for the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Namibia's environment ministry is rounding up its efforts towards climate adaptation mechanisms being implemented through multiple entities.

The Fransfontein community garden is 16 hectares in size and focuses on horticulture and dry-land crop production.

The garden has been greatly improved in terms of solar-powered electric fencing and water infrastructure, which includes the construction of a 400-cubic-metre reservoir, the rehabilitation of two boreholes to supplement the fountain, the installation of a solar plant, the installation of a drip irrigation system, and the installation of an automated weather station.

Shifeta emphasised that young people will always constitute a significant proportion of the population.

Boost interest

According to Trading Economic, global macro models, and analysts, Namibia's youth unemployment rate is 49%. Furthermore, the youth face numerous challenges in earning a living. Unfortunately, the youth do not see agriculture as a viable or prestigious job. They move to cities unless they find meaningful economic possibilities and appealing landscapes in rural areas. This trend not only contributes to the issue of over-urbanisation and urban unemployment, but it also has an impact on national food production systems. Investing in rural youth is thus critical to increasing agricultural production, strengthening rural economies, and ensuring food security.

Crucial support

The residents of Kunene Region received 630 goats, nine restored boreholes, a newly installed automated weather station, and 150 fuel-efficient stoves at the Fransfontein community garden. To that goal, the project has hired ten locals. The project is expected to yield a good yield by the end of November 2022, with financial forecasts for the garden's operations exceeding N$2OO OOO.

"I therefore urge the youth of Fransfontein to proudly safeguard this investment and grab this golden opportunity to transform their livelihood," said Shifeta. In the same spirit, he urges relevant stakeholders to re-engage youth in agriculture, notably through financial assistance, skill transfer and the transformation of subsistence farming into commercial companies.