Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Absalom Shigwedha
Published on 2024-03-29 06:00:00
In the pursuit of enhancing national food security and promoting better nutrition, many Namibians have embarked on small-scale gardening initiatives. One individual leading this charge is Lena Kasper, a 59-year-old resident of Utusib village near the Kuiseb River in the Erongo region, located 35km from Walvis Bay.
Kasper initiated her small-scale backyard garden project in 2016, with the support of the GiZ-funded Farming for Resilience project, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. This assistance enabled her to expand her garden, where she cultivates a variety of crops including tomatoes, spinach, onions, sweet potatoes, green beans, as well as moringa and lemon trees.
Despite her dedication to gardening, Kasper faces a significant challenge in the form of water scarcity. She relies on NamWater for irrigation, which comes at a high cost. To combat the heat-induced evaporation during the day, Kasper waters her garden at night. Nevertheless, her efforts have not gone to waste as her garden provides vital nutrition for her family, and she is also able to sell some of her produce to local residents.
In the neighboring community of Swartbank, located just south of Utusib, a communal garden has been established where members of the project cultivate chillies, tomatoes, and green peppers, among other crops. However, the project grapples with water challenges due to only one solar-powered borehole serving the entire community.
Fanuel /Khurisab, a 33-year-old member of the community project, has highlighted the inadequacy of the single borehole in meeting the water needs of both the Swartbank community and the garden project. Both Utusib and Swartbank settlements are home to the Topnaar people, a clan of the Nama people of Namibia.
The undertaking of small-scale gardening initiatives by individuals like Lena Kasper and community projects like the one in Swartbank not only contribute to food security and improved nutrition but also serve as a means of sustainable livelihood. Despite the challenges of water scarcity, these initiatives showcase the resilience and determination of Namibians to provide for themselves and their communities.
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