Community crop fields yield 3 tonnes for Oshana families

A community farming initiative in Oshana has yielded three tonnes of mahangu and 64 kilograms of cowpeas, all of it distributed to vulnerable households.

Oshana Regional Council chairperson Abraham Kaushiweni announced the figures at last week's Oshipe (Thanksgiving) Festival in Uukwiyuushona.

He said the harvest is proof that community crop fields can make a real dent in food insecurity without requiring large-scale agricultural projects.

“By enhancing local food production and effectively utilising available land, we can bolster food security and foster communities that are better equipped to face challenges,” he said on Friday.

Kaushiweni said the harvest “highlights the vital role food production plays in addressing the needs of our communities, especially those who are at risk”.

The harvested pearl millet and cowpeas were grown in two community crop fields in the Okatyali and Uuvudhiya constituencies and distributed to vulnerable households on the day of the harvest.

“Our contributions do not need to begin with large-scale agricultural projects,” Kaushiweni said.

“They can commence with community crop fields, household gardens and support for small-scale farmers' initiatives that encourage individuals to make productive use of available land."

Kaushiweni described agriculture as the backbone of Oshana’s communities, providing food, livelihoods and economic stability.

“This is where agriculture transforms into a means of fortifying community support and resilience. By producing food locally, we create a vital resource to address the needs of our communities during challenging times."

Call for expanded food production

Kaushiweni urged the region to broaden food production efforts across all 11 constituencies, noting that a strong foundation already exists.

He said increased production could also open economic opportunities along the agricultural value chain, benefiting everyone from farmers to traders.

“[A harvest's true] value is measured by the lives it impacts and the families it sustains. Let us continue to promote agriculture as a cornerstone of food security, livelihoods and resilient communities,” he said.

Uukwiyuushona constituency councillor Andreas Amundjindi praised regional leaders for providing resources to support crop cultivation and expressed gratitude to community members for their involvement.

“Your dedication, hard work and cooperation are essential to the success of these initiatives,” Amundjindi said.

He called on traditional authorities to release more land for crop production to help council expand its efforts and enhance contributions to national food security initiatives.

“With additional land available, the council can broaden cultivation and increase food production, allowing us to make an even more significant impact in addressing food insecurity within our communities and across the country,” he said.