World Food Programme, Capricorn Foundation partner for food security
STAFF REPORTER
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), together with Capricorn Foundation and its cooperating partner Development Aid from People to People (DAPP), visited farmers in Outapi and the Anamulenge Constituency to witness first-hand the impact of their joint efforts to strengthen local food systems and improve community nutrition.
Since January this year, the project has supported 120 farmer families to start small-scale agricultural projects. The families received practical training, seeds, irrigation equipment and tools to grow a variety of nutritious crops, which the farmers consume themselves and sell in their local markets. This gives access to healthy, nutritious food to more than 900 community members, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and people living with HIV and tuberculosis.
“The Capricorn Foundation’s commitment to strengthening Namibia’s food systems continues to make a meaningful difference,” said WFP Namibia Country Director, Naouar Labidi. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of empowering communities to become self-reliant and resilient in the face of challenges such as drought.”
During the visit, WFP, Capricorn Foundation and DAPP representatives toured the flourishing household gardens and interacted with local farmers participating in the project.
“Seeing the tangible results of this partnership in Outapi was deeply encouraging,” said Veripura Muukua, head of the Capricorn Foundation. “Together with WFP and DAPP, farmers are empowered with the right tools, skills, and market linkages to improve food security, build sustainable livelihoods and stronger communities.”
For the farmers in Outapi, the impact is tangible: many are now harvesting nutritious vegetables and improving their diets, in a region identified as a malnutrition hotspot that requires targeted interventions to prevent further deterioration in food security and nutrition outcomes.
“Before this project, we struggled to grow enough food for our families,” said one of the farmers, Luise Mpingana. “With the training and tools we received, our gardens are thriving. We can now feed our children healthy food and even earn an income from selling what we grow.”
The initiative is jointly funded by the Capricorn Foundation and the WFP, with DAPP Namibia leading the implementation on the ground. DAPP provides farmers with hands-on training, supports the installation of essential farming infrastructure such as shade nets, and conducts regular follow-up visits to monitor the gardens’ progress to ensure their long-term success.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), together with Capricorn Foundation and its cooperating partner Development Aid from People to People (DAPP), visited farmers in Outapi and the Anamulenge Constituency to witness first-hand the impact of their joint efforts to strengthen local food systems and improve community nutrition.
Since January this year, the project has supported 120 farmer families to start small-scale agricultural projects. The families received practical training, seeds, irrigation equipment and tools to grow a variety of nutritious crops, which the farmers consume themselves and sell in their local markets. This gives access to healthy, nutritious food to more than 900 community members, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and people living with HIV and tuberculosis.
“The Capricorn Foundation’s commitment to strengthening Namibia’s food systems continues to make a meaningful difference,” said WFP Namibia Country Director, Naouar Labidi. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of empowering communities to become self-reliant and resilient in the face of challenges such as drought.”
During the visit, WFP, Capricorn Foundation and DAPP representatives toured the flourishing household gardens and interacted with local farmers participating in the project.
“Seeing the tangible results of this partnership in Outapi was deeply encouraging,” said Veripura Muukua, head of the Capricorn Foundation. “Together with WFP and DAPP, farmers are empowered with the right tools, skills, and market linkages to improve food security, build sustainable livelihoods and stronger communities.”
For the farmers in Outapi, the impact is tangible: many are now harvesting nutritious vegetables and improving their diets, in a region identified as a malnutrition hotspot that requires targeted interventions to prevent further deterioration in food security and nutrition outcomes.
“Before this project, we struggled to grow enough food for our families,” said one of the farmers, Luise Mpingana. “With the training and tools we received, our gardens are thriving. We can now feed our children healthy food and even earn an income from selling what we grow.”
The initiative is jointly funded by the Capricorn Foundation and the WFP, with DAPP Namibia leading the implementation on the ground. DAPP provides farmers with hands-on training, supports the installation of essential farming infrastructure such as shade nets, and conducts regular follow-up visits to monitor the gardens’ progress to ensure their long-term success.
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