Staff Reporter

The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) is implementing the Green Climate Fund (GCF)- funded project titled SAP001: “Improving

Rangeland and Ecosystem Management Practices of Smallholder Farmers Under Conditions of Climate Change” in the Sesfontein, Fransfontein and Warmquelle Areas (IREMA Kunene Project).

The project aims to contribute to the reduction of the vulnerability of smallholder farmers under climate change conditions by safeguarding natural capital that generates ecosystem services to sustain agricultural production systems.

The parliamentary standing committee on Natural Resources visited the Kunene Region in August 2022 to familiarise themselves with GCF-funded projects’ activities being implemented by the EIF.

The tour was aimed at assessing the impact of climate change, and inspected progress made as far as the IREMA Project activities/interventions are concerned. Farmers in the Kunene Region have endured a prolonged drought, which resulted in heavy livestock losses and made crop production a mammoth challenge to face.

In addressing climate-driven vulnerabilities, the IREMA Project has taken an initiative to come up with innovative measures, such as retrofitting water points with solar systems to ensure adequate supply of potable water, rehabilitating community gardens in Sesfontein and Fransfontein, distributing drought-tolerant seeds to smallholder farmers to boost backyard gardening, and distributing fuel-efficient (three-in-one) stoves to local farmers to minimise pressure from limited forest resources in the region.

The Fransfontein Community Garden, funded to the tune of N$12.3 million, is one of the capital interventions that were re-visited by the Standing Committee on 7 December 2022.

During the first visit, the community garden was still at an infant stage, specifically on the production and governance structure establishment. As a result, the members committed to a follow-up visit to witness the first bumper harvest.

It commenced with a courtesy visit to Magrietha Haradoes, a local farmer and beneficiary of the IREMA Project’s Small Stock Revolving Scheme (SSRS). The beneficiary received 20 ewes and one ram from the project in November 2020. At present, she boasts 47 goats (double the figure), and they have already revolved five ewes through the revolving scheme.

“I have achieved this through dedication, hard work and commitment, as I herd the goats by myself,” said Haradoes. She challenges fellow beneficiaries to take good care of their goats to ensure that this revolving intervention benefits many vulnerable farmers/households in the Kunene region.

Parliamentarian Maria Kamutali expressed appreciation to the beneficiary, imploring her to continue working hard and setting a good example which other beneficiaries should emulate.

The committee then proceeded to the Fransfontein Community Garden to witness a bumper harvest.

Representing the governor of Kunene, Johannes Antsino applauded the garden’s establishment, indicating that the intervention is timely as it answers questions and addresses challenges which 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 said.

He further stressed that “the more we consume products from other countries, the more jobs we are creating for them. Hence, such a community project is worth emulating in other areas of the region and Namibia at large”.

EIF representative Aina-Maria Iteta applauded all the stakeholders for the continuous support provided to the community garden. She urged law and policymakers to come up with policies and strategies which would assist local farmers to offset their products through local markets.

Tjekero Tweya, chairperson of the standing committee, was delighted to see the garden under full production. He urged the garden management committee, beneficiaries and all involved to work hard to ensure that the garden remains productive to continue serving the settlement and surrounding areas.

He further advised planning for an exit strategy and good governance to ensure the sustainability of the community garden beyond this project.