The Oshana Regional Council has celebrated its Oshipe Festival after it harvested three tonnes of mahangu and 64 kilograms of cowpeas (omakunde) from two of its crop fields in Okatyali and Uuvudhiya Constituencies.
The event took place on 4 September at the offices of the Uukwiyuushona Constituency, where several villagers received some of the food for their household consumption.
Speaking at the event Oshana Regional Council Chairperson Mr Kaushiweni Abraham said that this harvest represents a practical contribution towards food security and demonstrates what can be achieved when available land is put to productive use.
“More importantly, the produce will be used to support vulnerable members of our communities,” Abraham said.
“This is where agriculture becomes more than just an economic activity. It becomes a means of strengthening community support and resilience.
“By producing food locally, we create an important resource that can be used to respond to the needs of our communities, especially during times of hardship.”
He stated that “Oshana Region, we must therefore continue to explore ways of increasing food production across our constituencies.
“We have land, farmers and communities with valuable agricultural knowledge. We must continue to create opportunities for these resources to contribute towards food security.
“Our contribution does not have to begin with large-scale agricultural projects. It can start with community crop fields, household gardens, support to small-scale farmers and initiatives that encourage people to make productive use of available land.
“We should also recognise agriculture as an opportunity to strengthen livelihoods and local economies. Increased food production can create economic opportunities for farmers and others involved in the agricultural value chain.”
Mr Abraham thanked everyone who contributed to making this initiative possible, particularly those who worked in the crop fields and supported the production process.
“May this celebration renew our commitment to producing more food, supporting vulnerable members of our communities and contributing to Namibia’s broader food-security objectives.”
In the photo: One of the beneficiaries receiving a bag of omahangu grains.
