Epako vegetable garden empowers residents
Boosting food security
Among the expected outcomes of the project are to encourage more women and young people from small-scale farming families to actively contribute to the development of a sustainable food system.
To empower the Epako community in Gobabis and promote access to healthy food, the World Food Programme (WFP) grows vegetables at the Epako clinic.
The WFP aims to tackle the issue of malnutrition in this community of around 9 500 members with its project for integrated food systems.
"This is one way to empower members of the community who do not have access or money to buy healthy food in the formal sector. This is a sustainable way to ensure that communities can support themselves and follow a healthy and balanced diet," the WFP's programme associate for biotechnology and food security, Shange-Ndamona Mungoba, told Namibia Media Holdings.
Goals
The project installed drip irrigation, a pressure pump and a 10 000-litre tank as a water reservoir, as well as a 20 m x 30 m shade net under which vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, beetroot and onions can be planted.
The initial development costs of the project amount to US$20 000 out of a total of US$100 000 financed by Brazil. To manage the project and training effectively, the WFP worked closely with the Namibian Association for Aspiring Farmers (Namfa).
According to the WFP, the expected outcome of the project is to strengthen local food markets, reduce levels of malnutrition, promote access to a healthy diet, generate income and encourage more women and young people from small-scale farming families to actively contribute to the development of a sustainable food system.
Implementation
The upgrade of the food system at the Epako clinic has already been discussed and the WFP intends to provide solar dryers to extend the shelf life of products as well as a scale to weigh the vegetables. The maintenance of shade nets is also already on the agenda.
Since 2021, the WFP has implemented 34 food system projects nationwide, where it has supported skills development in, among other things, horticulture and poultry production, innovation and technology.
– [email protected]
The WFP aims to tackle the issue of malnutrition in this community of around 9 500 members with its project for integrated food systems.
"This is one way to empower members of the community who do not have access or money to buy healthy food in the formal sector. This is a sustainable way to ensure that communities can support themselves and follow a healthy and balanced diet," the WFP's programme associate for biotechnology and food security, Shange-Ndamona Mungoba, told Namibia Media Holdings.
Goals
The project installed drip irrigation, a pressure pump and a 10 000-litre tank as a water reservoir, as well as a 20 m x 30 m shade net under which vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, beetroot and onions can be planted.
The initial development costs of the project amount to US$20 000 out of a total of US$100 000 financed by Brazil. To manage the project and training effectively, the WFP worked closely with the Namibian Association for Aspiring Farmers (Namfa).
According to the WFP, the expected outcome of the project is to strengthen local food markets, reduce levels of malnutrition, promote access to a healthy diet, generate income and encourage more women and young people from small-scale farming families to actively contribute to the development of a sustainable food system.
Implementation
The upgrade of the food system at the Epako clinic has already been discussed and the WFP intends to provide solar dryers to extend the shelf life of products as well as a scale to weigh the vegetables. The maintenance of shade nets is also already on the agenda.
Since 2021, the WFP has implemented 34 food system projects nationwide, where it has supported skills development in, among other things, horticulture and poultry production, innovation and technology.
– [email protected]
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