SARUKWE – The first community seed bank in Kavango West, which is also the first in the whole country, was launched last week.
The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) and Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC) jointly sponsored the establishment of a community seed bank in the Ncuncuni constituency’s Sarukwe village in Kavango West with an investment of N$400 000.
Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku said in a statement read on her behalf by Kavango West regional council chairperson Joseph Sivaku Sikongo that the country needs more such seed banks.
“As grateful as we are, we continue to call upon other private entities to assist in similar community upliftment projects in the country,” she said.
Ausiku thus encouraged the community of the Ncuncuni constituency to work together with the government officials, and to ensure that this project is realised.
“In the same manner, we continue to caution Namibians against activities that threaten our plant and genetic resources. Let us protect, conserve and safeguard our only hope to food security and a green environment,” she stated.
The EIF were likewise upbeat.
“This initiative extends beyond financial backing; it embodies a shared commitment to environmental sustainability, and the preservation of our natural heritage. This initiative aligns harmoniously with SDG One, serving as a guiding framework for the integration of sustainable development into all aspects of operations,” said Lot Ndamanomhata, EIF Manager: Corporate Communications in a statement read on his behalf.
He stated that the goal of this seed bank is to protect natural resources in the form of a variety of seeds from over-exploitation.
“This intervention will prevent the depletion of these natural resources, and ensure the preservation of seeds for the benefit of our future generations. This endeavour is vital not only for the Kavango West region, but for the entire Namibian nation as it significantly contributes to food security,” he continued.
MTC’s Fikameni Mathias said their coming on board meant that they needed to do more than just provide the community with a telecommunications network. They felt they should also assist in preserving the ways of life and identity through preserving seeds for traditional food and fruits as that identifies the people. By having seeds, they will thus be able to cultivate their fields to eradicate hunger.
“Just as much as we speak about smart farming or smart crop production, we now need to talk about preserving the fruits we eat today to ensure that just like the very first people who allowed us to see their past ways of living, the food and the fruits they survived by, we should also ensure that those who will come after us must enjoy the same food and fruits that identifies them,” he added.
“We have to appreciate the importance of this seed bank because this facility will preserve rare and valuable food species which are not found anywhere else, but here. This is very historic,” Ncuncuni constituency councillor Leopoldine Nseu observed.
Photo: Seed
Caption: Pleased… Councillor Leopoldine Nseu (in white) celebrates the first-ever seed bank sponsored by the EIF and MTC.
Photo: John Muyamba