The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) officially signed a new project aimed at strengthening the resilience of farming communities affected by recurrent droughts in Namibia. This was held earlier in December 2025 and marks the formal launch of a major partnership between the Government of Namibia and FAO, with funding support from the Government of Japan.
The project titled: “Enhancing Resilience of Farming Communities Affected by Drought through the Promotion of Adaptive Agriculture,” is funded by the Government of Japan through its Grant Assistance and will be implemented from January 2026 to December 2027 with a total budget of USD 2.98 million (approximately N$48 million).
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Director & Accounting Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan and FAO for their long-standing support to Namibia’s agriculture sector. She emphasized that the partnership has, over the years, enabled the delivery of impactful programmes aligned with the Ministry’s mandate.
She further noted that, the initiative comes at a critical time as climate variability continues to threaten food security and rural livelihoods.
The project is expected to benefit 6,000 women and youth-led households— representing about 24,000 people—across the Erongo, Kunene, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and Hardap regions. Interventions include the provision of agro-inputs, small livestock and climate-smart technologies such as solar-powered irrigation, hydroponics and shade-net structures, alongside training for farmers and extension officers.
Japanese Ambassador Shinichi Asazuma reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to Namibia’s agriculture sector, highlighting that the new grant exceeds the combined value of three previous Japan-funded FAO projects implemented since 2022. He underscored that the initiative aligns with Namibia’s national development priorities, including food security, climate-resilient agriculture and reduced reliance on food imports, as well as continental and global frameworks such as CAADP and TICAD.
Reaffirming Japan’s commitment, he stated that the project aims to enhance local food production, reduce dependence on external markets, diversify rural livelihoods and create opportunities for agri-business development, particularly for vulnerable households and young aspiring farmers.
The project is expected to strengthen food security information systems, develop five regional drought action plans, and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to climate shocks. Both partners reaffirmed their commitment to effective implementation and long-term sustainability, with the shared goal of building a food-secure, climate-resilient Namibia where no one is left behind.
