Safety net for small stock farmers in Kunene

VULNERABILITY TO EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) has implemented a climate change adaptation project titled Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management Practices of Smallholder Farmers under Conditions of Climate Change in Sesfontein, Fransfontein, and Warmquelle Areas – the IREMA Kunene Project.

In 2022 the IREMA project procured 630 goats for 29 beneficiaries while the MAWLR procured another 441 goats for 21 farmers in the Kunene Region. Under the project, farmers from marginalised groups such as the OvaHimba, San and OvaZemba recently received training on small livestock production. The training was centred around improving production knowledge, skills among beneficiaries and promoting the small stock revolving scheme with an emphasis on the scheme’s by-laws. It further aimed at reducing the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to the effects of climate change by safeguarding natural capital in order to sustain agricultural production systems. Strictly earmarked for the Kunene Region, the IREMA project was initiated as a response to the persistent droughts and dry spells that have plagued the region. The recurrent drought events have had devastating effects on livestock farming, which is the region’s primary source of livelihood. “The communities' reliance on nature-based livelihoods makes them highly vulnerable to climate change, impacting not only their income but also their food security”, said Lot Ndamanomhata, Manager for Corporate Communications at EIF.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

He continued: “Promoting cost-effective investments in early warning systems that determine climate-driven vulnerabilities and effective adaptation options, the IREMA project is mandated to ensure that an early warning system is established for observation, data collection and information management and dissemination. To this effect the EIF together with its sustainable development partner Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has given four automated weather stations and one automated rain station to the Namibia Meteorological Service Centre in April 2023”. Valued at N$800 000, these early warning weather systems are to be installed at the IREMA project sites in Warmquelle, Kamanjab and Erwee. The Ministry of Works and Transport, more specifically the Meteorological Service of Namibia, will be the custodian of the highly technical automated weather stations (AWS) and play a pivotal role in their management. “It serves as a safety net, allowing communities to proactively plan for disasters, thereby saving lives, preserving jobs, protecting ecosystems and safeguarding critical infrastructure. It is worth noting that a successful AWS supports long-term sustainability”, Ndamanomhata said.

GREEN CONCESSIONAL LOAN

The EIF is rolling out a green concessional loan facility targeting youth entrepreneurs wishing to undertake economically viable investments that integrate low carbon and climate adaptation instruments. In this regard, the facility aims to deploy N$72 million over the next 12 months and it is expected to grow to N$300 million by the 2024/25 financial year. Moreover, during the 2023/24 financial year, the EIF through an ecosystem-based adaptation project funded by the Green Climate Fund, will provide grants amounting to more than N$100 million to at least 36 different community-based organisations for climate change adaptation, resilience and capacity building.

Maggie Forcelledo Paz