The World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the British High Commission, has provided support to 28 smallholder farmers at Iikokola village in the Oshikoto region with training in good agricultural practices, food preservation and nutrition.
The support aims to strengthen local food production, improve household nutrition and build resilience within Iikokola and surrounding communities.
The initiative is part of the Integrated Food System Project at Mateus Nashandi Combined School, designed to complement the school feeding programme with nutritious food, provide pupils with practical agricultural skills and improve access and consumption of fresh food.
WFP has been supporting this project since 2023 to provide nutritious meals to pupils, create employment opportunities for the local community, as well as supporting pathways to self-sufficiency and rural development.
Additionally, farmers received agricultural equipment such as shade nets, irrigation equipment, pesticides and seeds.
The two organisations have taken a site visit to Iikokola village to monitor the progress of the project.
The visit included a guided tour of the small-scale horticultural and school project.
WFP Namibia country director Naouar Labidi underscores the importance of partnerships in tackling food insecurity and yielding positive results.
“Working hand in hand with communities and partners like the British High Commission allows us to support long-term solutions that improve diets, livelihoods and resilience.
The remarkable outcome from this project highlights the importance of grassroot-driven initiatives in tackling food security,” she says.
British high commissioner to Namibia Neil Bradley echoes Labidi’s sentiment, saying that partnering with WFP was instrumental in supporting the smallholder farmers and equipping them with the right tools and knowledge.
“The British High Commission is proud to partner with WFP in supporting communities like Iikokola.
By equipping smallholder farmers with the right tools and knowledge, we are helping to unlock their potential to grow more food, improve family nutrition and strengthen local economies,” he says.
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