NKURENKURU – The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Namibia, together with women in agriculture in the Kavango West region observed International Women’s Day at Nkurenkuru last week.

The day was held under the theme ‘For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment’, and aims to showcase the vital role of women in food security and rural development in Namibia and globally.

In her welcoming remarks, Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku said the region has identified agriculture and manufacturing (value-addition), as priority sectors with good investment that could help the region to address poverty and unemployment.

“During our working visit to Olushandja Horticulture Producers’ in Omusati, the Kavango West Horticulture Producer’s Association learned good practices and shared experiences. The group has learned a lot, especially on how to market their products through the association. 

So, my office is helping them to acquire land in Nkurenkuru town to operate from,” she said.
Ausiku noted that even though agriculture will help the region address food security at the household level and beyond, the region has more than 200 small-scale horticulture producers, and is experiencing challenges such as the lack of access to formal markets, feeder roads, limited value-addition technology and facilities, lack of inputs, and lack of information. Also speaking at the same event, FAO Representative Qingyun Diao, said the theme for the event is a call to ensure that every woman and girl regardless of their background or circumstances has the rights, opportunities, and support needed to thrive.
“Women are the backbone of agri-food systems.

They produce, process and prepare food; they nurture families, drive rural economies. But despite their immense contributions, they continue to face barriers that limit their full potential,” said Diao.
Diao urged all stakeholders in the agri-food sector to work together to ensure that all women farmers have equal access to land, credit facilities, agricultural inputs, opportunities for training and skills development.

The stakeholders should further work together to ensure that women farmers are protected from the devastating climate change, and supported to access markets and fair prices for their produce.
The event was attended by women in agriculture, who shared their stories of resilience, success and struggle.
-Nampa