Participants pictured during the "Water Walk March" that took place during the 2023 World Food Day commemoration in Kayova village, Kavango East region. ©FAO/P. Tobias

Rundu, Namibia - Namibia united with the global community to mark this year's World Food Day (WFD) commemoration held on 26 October 2023 in Kayova Village, Ndiyona Constituency, Kavango East Region.

Centered around the theme "Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind," the event saw various stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and organizations, gathered to emphasize the vital role of water in food security, nutrition, and overall well-being.

Delivering the keynote address, Carl-H.G Schlettwein, Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR), whose speech was delivered on his behalf by Namwater CEO, Abraham Nehemia, emphasized the pivotal role of water in achieving food security and improving livelihoods.

"Water is a precious, life-giving and finite resource; we cannot speak of food without water. The statement, ‘No Water, No Life’, can never be over emphasized, particularly for us, who live in a dry country," Schlettwein underscored.

Schlettwein highlighted various interventions by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, through his Ministry, in ensuring the security of water supply for human consumption, livestock, and industrial development by providing potable water in rural communal areas.

The Minister urged stakeholders to focus on protecting water resources, exploring non-conventional sources like water reuse, desalination, and rainwater harvesting. He also called for the implementation of water conservation and promoting efficiency in various sectors, including households, offices, schools, and industries.

Meanwhile, Qingyun Diao, the FAO Representative in Namibia, stressed the importance of efficient water management and its critical role in addressing food security challenges. Diao highlighted the need to "leave no one behind" and harness water resources to ensure equitable access to food and water for all.

"Water stands as a critical resource for agriculture and food production and is essential for human health and nutrition," Diao pointed out. "We must unite and strive to guarantee that safe and sufficient water is accessible to every individual."

Also, speaking during the occasion, Bonifatius Wakudumo, the Governor of the Kavango East region, acknowledged the significance of the event, especially considering the challenges faced in Ndiyona constituency and the region, particularly concerning food insecurity.

"We have decided to celebrate World Food Day in Ndiyona Constituency because of its multi-dimensional poverty index," Wakudumo noted.

The Governor continued to highlight the various climate change-related challenges faced by communities and smallholder farmers in his region. He encouraged all stakeholders, such as the government and FAO, to collaborate to address these challenges.

“No organization, government or institution can eradicate hunger and poverty alone… it requires a collective effort, consultative and collective leadership,” he stressed.

The World Food Day event featured a range of activities, all of which underscored the central theme's importance. These activities included a "Water Walk March," an effort to raise awareness about the importance of water in food production and daily life. The march symbolized the collective effort required to tackle water-related challenges.

The event also managed to mobilise donations from various partners and sponsors to provide food parcels to 203 vulnerable households in Kavango East region facing food insecurity, with dignitaries visiting three such households in Kayova during the day of the event. The dignitaries handed over food parcels, seeds, and planted food trees, with the aim of addressing immediate food needs in the community and encouraging sustainable food production through tree planting.

During the event, FAO pledged to support two smallholder horticulture farmers in the Kavango East region. The support will entail providing the farmers with access to seeds, fertilizer, and water-saving irrigation equipment. The support will also include training on sustainable agricultural practises and market access that will be facilitated in partnership with GIZ Namibia.

The event also featured a poster competition designed to engage and inspire the youth. Learners from schools in the Kavango East region took part in the competition, aiming to encourage young talents to express their understanding of the importance of water in food security. Four learners received prizes for their exceptional entries.

The World Food Day event provided a timely reminder of the critical interconnection between water, food, and life. It encouraged stakeholders to collaborate, focusing on water management, agriculture, and sustainable practices to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a better, food-secure future.