Namibia drought threatens food security – Mutorwa

About 596 000 Namibians are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance due to the prevailing drought the country is facing, said agriculture, water and forestry minister John Mutorwaa In a statement read on his behalf during the belated observation of World Food Day 2016 by the Oshana Region at Etope village on Thursday, Mutorwa said these people are part of the 730 000 Namibians affected by this year's drought in rural areas.

“This accounts for about 57% of the rural population,” said Mutorwa.

The figures, he said, presents an urgent need for the nation to devise appropriate strategies that could enhance resilience and ensure that the country's agricultural activities are not heavily hampered by the drought.
He said the prevailing drought conditions have resulted in the country being unable to produce sufficient food, which in turn, poses a challenge, especially on government, to avail sufficient funds for humanitarian assistance.
Mutorwa suggested that Namibia adopt sustainable food production methods with less means, as well as use natural resources wisely.

Oshana Regional Councillor for Okatana Constituency, Rosalia Shilenga, who presented Mutorwa's statement, urged traditional leaders to ensure that their subjects are working hard to produce enough food this season. “Ensure that nobody is at cuca shops just enjoying alcohol at the time others are busy in their crop fields cultivating in order to produce food,” Shilenga urged.

World Food Day is observed on 16 October every year, to create awareness and understanding of food security across the globe. 'Climate is Changing; Food and Agriculture Must Too' was the theme of World Food Day 2016. (The Namibian, Windhoek)