Swakop continues to invest in urban gardens

The Swakopmund municipality will allocate N$90 200 to urban agriculture projects over the current financial year with a focus on schools and community gardens.

Of this amount, N$25 900 will go towards allotment plots in Matutura, N$31 800 to a garden project at Namib High School and N$32 500 to repairs to the electric fence at the municipality’s Tamariskia urban agriculture project.

The allocations were announced at an ordinary council meeting on 29 October.

Last year council approved N$100 000 for the support, maintenance and construction of urban agriculture projects.

The municipality has run the urban agriculture project at the former sewage plant in Tamariskia since 2020. The project was set up to enhance local food security, create economic opportunities, promote sustainable farming practices and foster biodiversity.

The project has drawn increased participation from residents and growing demand from local customers for organically produced vegetables, the municipality said.

Community organisations, non-profit organisations and schools have since set up their own food gardens, using the project as a benchmark.

Council-supported garden projects include Coastal High School, Vrede Rede Primary School, West Side High School, Swakopmund Primary School, Atlantic Junior Secondary School, the DRC Clinic, Welwitschia No 2, the Dantago Arts Group and Tamariskia Clinic.

In addition council said several non-profit organisations have asked council for help to establish community gardens, including tools, agricultural inputs and infrastructure.