1 700 benefit from Fransfontein community garden

More than 1 700 people from the Fransfontein area benefit from the community garden that has been upgraded to change the food production landscape in the area.Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta on Monday handed over the Fransfontein community garden in the Khorixas constituency, which, according to him, was yet another successful climate change adaptation intervention implemented by the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF).The EIF, through the Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management Practices of Smallholder Farmers (IREMA) Project, invested more than N$12 million to upgrade the Fransfontein community garden.ImprovementsAccording to Shifeta, a total of 10 community members are employed to work in the garden, which covers an area of 16 hectares while focusing on both horticultural and dryland crop production."This garden has been tremendously upgraded in terms of a solar-powered electric fence, water infrastructure, which includes construction of a four hundred cubic metre (400 m3) reservoir, rehabilitation of two boreholes to augment the fountain, installation of a solar plant, installation of a drip irrigation system and an automated weather station," said Shifeta.He said to ensure the sustainability of this project, a mentorship programme has been developed targeting the beneficiaries, agricultural extension officers, farmers&#039; associations, traditional authorities, Kunene regional council representatives and other stakeholders.Expanding projectThe IREMA project has rehabilitated nine boreholes in the Fransfontein area at a cost of more than N$2.4 million, which is expected to promote community health and ease access to water for both humans and livestock."As such, about 1 500 people and 10 000 livestock are expected to have access to reliable water supply infrastructure."In addition, Shifeta said that community members have established home-based gardens that can greatly improve their livelihoods as well as strengthen household food security.He added that the project also procured 1 055 goats, of which 420 were distributed to 20 vulnerable farmers in 2020, and yet another 630 goats were handed over on Monday to 295 identified farmers in the Kunene Region.The total cost for this is N$1.7 million.Enhance interest"It is unfortunate that our youth do not perceive agriculture as a remunerative or prestigious profession. Unless they find meaningful economic opportunities and attractive environments in rural areas, they migrate to cities."He said that this trend does not only contribute to increasing the phenomenon of over-urbanisation and unemployment in urban areas, but it also affects national food production systems. "Investing in rural youth is therefore key to enhancing agricultural productivity, boosting rural economies, and ensuring food security."

1 700 benefit from Fransfontein community garden

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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1 700 benefit from Fransfontein community garden

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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