Windhoek Hosts Agricultural Forum to Address Urban Farming Amid Water Scarcity. The City of Windhoek hosted an Agricultural Forum under the theme “Urban Agriculture in Windhoek Amid Water Scarcity”, bringing together key stakeholders to explore solutions for sustainable urban farming. The event aimed to address the challenges of food security, limited land, and water shortages while promoting innovative farming methods.
The forum featured discussions from experts in the agricultural sector, including:
- Mr. James Kalundu (City of Windhoek) – Provided insights on urban food systems.
- Mr. Gotlieb Kahana (Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform) – Outlined incentives for urban farmers, including vegetable, fruit, horticulture, and poultry farming.
- Mr. Hanks Saisai (Agri Advisory Services Division) – Discussed funding opportunities for urban farmers through AgriBank, emphasizing key requirements for financial support.
- Mr. Charles Ward – Presented irrigation innovations tailored for urban farming.
- Mr. Dieter Tolke (City of Windhoek) – Addressed sustainable water management strategies.
- Ms. Shirley Mambadzo (Eden Greenfields) – Highlighted the role of backyard gardening in educating children about food sources.
Delivering the keynote address, Mayor Cllr. Ndeshihafela Larandja emphasized urban agriculture’s role in addressing food insecurity and economic challenges. She noted that while urban farming generates income and employment, farmers face water shortages, land constraints, and financial limitations.
The City of Windhoek has taken proactive steps to support urban farming by establishing community gardens such as Farm Okukuna, Greenwell Matongo, and Olaf Palme, aligning with the Windhoek Declaration on Food and Nutrition Security.
Moving forward, the City aims to enhance urban farming through policy development, land allocation, financial support, capacity building, and smart farming technologies.The event also featured an exhibition where local farmers showcased their produce, reinforcing the importance of urban agriculture in creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and ensuring food security.
