Safeguard natural capital to sustain agri production - EIF

The vulnerability of smallholder farmers in the Kunene Region to climate change conditions is being reduced by safeguarding natural capital that generates ecosystem services to sustain agricultural production systems.

This is being done through a project implemented by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), in conjunction with the agriculture ministry, and funded by the Green Climate Fund.

The project, titled ‘Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management Practices of Smallholder Farmers Under Conditions of Climate Change’ (IREMA Kunene Project), is being implemented in Sesfontein, Fransfontein and Warmquelle areas.

According to the EIF, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources recently visited the region to familiarise themselves with project activities.

The tour aimed to assess the impact of climate change and inspect progress made thus far.

“Farmers in the Kunene Region have endured a prolonged drought, which resulted in heavy livestock losses and made crop production a mammoth challenge,” the EIF said.

In addressing climate-driven vulnerabilities, the IREMA Project has taken initiative to come up with innovative measures - such as retrofitting water points with solar systems to ensure adequate supply of potable water and rehabilitating community gardens in Sesfontein and Fransfontein.

It has also distributed drought-tolerant seeds to smallholder farmers to boost backyard gardening, and fuel-efficient stoves to minimise pressure from limited forest resources in the region.



Fransfontein

The Fransfontein Community Garden, funded to the tune of N$12.3 million, is one of the capital interventions that was visited by the standing committee on 7 December. During their first visit, the garden was still at infant stage, and as a result, members committed to a follow-up visit to witness its first bumper harvest.

The visit commenced with a courtesy call to Magrietha Haradoes, a local farmer and beneficiary of the IREMA Project’s Small Stock Revolving Scheme (SSRS). She received 20 ewes and one ram from the project in November 2020.

At present, she has 47 goats and has already revolved five ewes through the scheme.

“I have achieved this through dedication, hard work and commitment, as I herd the goats by myself,” she said.

She further challenged fellow beneficiaries to take good care of their goats to ensure that this revolving intervention benefits many vulnerable farmers and households in the region.

Standing committee member Maria Kamutali implored Haradoes to continue working hard and setting a good example.



Enhance food security

Representing the Kunene governor, Johannes Antsino applauded the garden, adding that the intervention is timely as it addresses challenges government alone cannot attend to. “Agriculture is close to our hearts and there is no doubt that the Fransfontein Community Garden will enhance food security in the settlement, and has the potential to generate substantial income for the community.”

He further stressed that the more Namibians consume products from other countries, the more jobs are created for those countries.

“Hence, such a community project is worth emulating in other areas of the Kunene Region and Namibia at large.”

Representing the EIF was Aina-Maria Iteta, the executive for business strategy and performance management, who urged law- and policymakers to come up with policies and strategies to assist local farmers to offset their products through local markets.

Chairperson of the standing committee Tjekero Tweya expressed delight to see the garden under full horticulture production.

He urged its management committee, beneficiaries and all involved stakeholders to work hard to ensure that the garden remains productive to continue serving the Fransfontein settlement and surrounding areas.

He further urged the implementation of an exit strategy and good governance to ensure the sustainability of the garden beyond the project.