FAO, MAWLR and Stakeholders Validate New Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme for Namibia
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Corporation for International Cooperation or GIZ) and other key stakeholders recently held a validation workshop in Otjiwarongo to present and validate the new Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme (CCAP) document for the period 2021/22-2026/27.
The workshop, which was attended by over 60 participants from government, academia, the private sector and civil society, aimed to finalize the CCAP document and to ensure that it is aligned with the national priorities for sustainable agriculture and food security.
Mitigating Climate and Agrifood System Challenges
In her remarks, Qingyun Diao, FAO Representative in Namibia, highlighted the urgent need to address climate-related risks and enhance the capacity of farmers to cope with the challenges of a changing climate. She stressed that conservation agriculture is a key climate-smart agriculture practice that can help to mitigate climate change and improve food security.
“Climate-smart Conservation Agriculture and complementary Good Agricultural Practices have become powerful adaptation strategies to ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural systems,” stressed Diao.
Erich Petrus, MAWLR Acting Director of the Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES), echoed this sentiment, stating that conservation agriculture can play a critical role in contributing towards the mitigation of climate change and food systems challenges that Namibia faces.
"Namibia is an arid country with varying and low rainfall, and soil and rain conditions are generally not conducive for conventional agriculture and food production. It is in that regard that CA has been promoted as an entry point to climate-smart agriculture," he noted.
Petrus also acknowledged FAO’s support to MAWLR through the Strengthening coordination, scaling up and governance of Conservation Agriculture in Southern Africa (SUCASA) project in developing the new CCAP.
Dual Workshop Objectives and Multifaceted Outcomes
The CCAP validation workshop was guided by two primary objectives, namely to provide a robust platform for stakeholders to carefully review and validate the new CCAP document. This crucial step was aimed at ensuring the CCAP’s relevance and its capacity to align with the needs of farmers and other stakeholders.
Additionally, the workshop also afforded an opportunity for stakeholders to share insights and updates concerning the implementation of Conservation Agriculture interventions in Namibia. The valuable information contributed by diverse participants played a crucial part in enhancing the CCAP's effectiveness in tackling the various challenges faced by farmers.
The workshop produced results across multiple components, including stakeholders reaching a consensus on certain issues that required to be incorporated or properly highlighted and defined. This ideally positions the CCAP to serve as a guiding roadmap for directing both ongoing and prospective Conservation Agriculture initiatives in Namibia
Moreover, a comprehensive and all-encompassing logical framework was methodically developed for the new CCAP. This framework is set to play a crucial role in accelerating the strategic execution of initiatives that foster sustainable farming practices.
Furthermore, the workshop's impact was significant as it significantly contributed to advancing food security interventions in Namibia. This contribution was achieved by harmonizing the CCAP with broader objectives, thereby reinforcing Namibia's commitment to ensuring adequate food and nutrition for its populace.
A Collective Leap Forward
The collaboration between FAO, MAWLR, GIZ, academia, farmers, and other stakeholders marked a crucial step forward in Namibia's efforts to build a more resilient agricultural sector that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. By promoting the adoption of Conservation Agriculture principles and practices, Namibia is actively safeguarding its food security and reinforcing the well-being of its small-scale farmers.
The validation workshop not only signified a collective commitment but also a fundamental moment for refining strategies, fostering knowledge exchange, and shaping the landscape of sustainable agriculture in Namibia.