EENHANA – In an effort to address food security in the country, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) handed over a nursery to residents of Eenhana on Friday.
Officially handing over the nursery, FAO Representative in Namibia, Dr Qingyun Diao said through this initiative, FAO is promoting better nutrition by increasing access to locally-produced, nutritious food.
Diao said, this is key to addressing food security challenges, and promoting healthy eating habits in urban settings like Eenhana.
She indicated that the nursery, gardening and plant items that FAO was handing over, including essential nursery and greenhouse materials, gardening tools, horticultural seeds, 900 fruit tree seedlings, 490 forestry seedlings and a solar-powered pump, are all valued at over N$630 000.
“This nursery will provide tree seedlings, fruit plants and vegetables, bringing multiple benefits to the town of Eenhana,” she said.
She added that not only will it enhance green spaces, but it will also help combat air pollution, provide shade and improve the overall environment, contributing to community well-being.
Diao stressed that through the Green Cities Initiative, FAO is committed to promoting a better environment through sustainable practices like urban gardening and agroforestry. Speaking at the same occasion, Eenhana mayor Omri-Onn Kavandje indicated that their goal is to encourage sustainable management of urban land and forests in Eenhana and its surrounding regions.
He stated that as a town, they are dedicated to promoting awareness of green urban areas and urban forestry.
“In order to enhance the resilience and preparedness of both city governments and urban residents for the future, it is essential to reconsider urban planning and design, giving a prominent place to urban green spaces and urban forestry,” he said.
Moreover, in order to tackle this issue, urban planning and design need to prioritise urban greenery and urban forests. Kavandje noted that the goal of this project is to enhance the ability of urban residents in Eenhana town, located in the Ohangwena Region, to withstand challenges by implementing multifunctional governance infrastructure.
-Nampa