KATIMA MULILO – Namibia took another bold step towards food security recently as the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) officially handed over two storage facilities to the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) in Ngweze, Katima Mulilo.
Natangwe Ithete, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, praised the collaboration as a significant step in battling hunger and a proof of Namibia’s Vision 2030 and the sixth National Development Plan.
“This government-to-government lease of infrastructure is a concrete step towards advancing our national goals of food security, self-reliance and sustainable development,” Ithete said.
He said, by providing storage facilities, the government is strengthening the entire value chain, ensuring food harvested is not lost to spoilage but preserved for sustained use.
Ithete further assured that the government will support the NCS with an additional budget to enhance offender rehabilitation programs related to agriculture and food production.
Namibia currently relies on importing nearly 60% of its food, which makes the country vulnerable to droughts, global price shocks and supply chain disruptions.
The new facilities are expected to enhance stock management, reduce food waste and ensure a steady supply to correctional facilities, with the possibility of surplus food being distributed to nearby communities.
Receiving the facilities on behalf of the NCS, Deputy Commissioner General Sam Tukondjela Shaalulange reaffirmed the NCS’ dedication to not only providing food for inmates but also supporting national food security through agriculture.
“We produce maize, wheat, pork, vegetables, fruit and even operate bakeries at our facilities. Last year alone, we supplied food items worth more than N$66 million to correctional facilities and over N$23 million to Namibian Police holding cells,” Shaalulange revealed.
Correctional farms and milling plants have already become self-sufficient in several commodities, enabling the NCS to provide surplus maize to the Office of the Prime Minister for drought relief.
In 2023/2024, the Service sold 82 062 bags of maize valued at N$9.7 million for this purpose.
The Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility is now preparing to cultivate 125 acres of maize and wheat, expected to produce 1 000 tonnes of maize and 750 tonnes of wheat annually.
The new storage facilities will safeguard grain, fertilisers, seeds and other inputs for the programme.
Both leaders highlighted that the food production initiative goes beyond nutrition.
It provides rehabilitation and agricultural training to offenders, preparing them to reintegrate into society with practical skills.
“Food security is not only about farms and markets, but also about innovation within institutions. The Namibia Correctional Service is showing that rehabilitation can go hand in hand with national development,” he said.
Shaalulange echoed this, noting that agricultural work fosters discipline, skills and responsibility among offenders.
The event marked a symbolic and practical step towards Zero Hunger (UN SDG 2) while reinforcing Namibia’s broader industrialisation and self-sufficiency agenda.
As the Deputy Prime Minister officially handed over the facilities, he declared: “We are going to make good use of all the facilities that are around the country.
This is just the beginning – the beginning of many good things. It is officially open to secure food not only for correctional services but also for the Namibian nation. Indeed, one day, for the entire African continent”.
– anakale@nepc.com.na