Experts exchange knowledge on agroforestry

Local experts recently met to share knowledge to make way for climate-resilient food systems through agroforestry.

This comes as Namibia held its first agroforestry conference last week.

The conference, hosted by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in collaboration with the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and financially supported by the Capricorn Foundation, saw 120 experts coming together.

The conference explored the transformative potential of agroforestry systems in addressing climate change challenges facing southern Africa, and Namibia in particular.

It served as a critical platform for knowledge exchange among experts from Namibia and the African region.

Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry senior policy adviser and International Union of Agroforestry president Patrick Worms shared insights on how policy and governance can promote agroforestry.

He highlighted eye-opening positive and negative examples from different African countries on the correlation of governance and restoration of landscapes through agroforestry.

The conference is a key activity of the HSF Global Project for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC) aiming to support and connect actors for dialogue, knowledge transfer and co-creation of innovative solutions.

Topics such as agroforestry as a climate-resilient response, improved livelihoods through sustainable agroforestry, food forests agroforestry systems, as well as case studies from different African countries, including Namibia, Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo, were covered.

NNF programmes director Frances Chase said such platforms are an opportunity to collaborate and share actionable strategies that can transform landscapes and livelihoods.

“Together we are committed to exploring and promoting agroforestry as a sustainable and climate-resilient practice in Namibia,” Chase said.

Capricorn Foundation coordinator Veripura Muukua said by integrating agroforestry into Namibia’s farming methods, one can enhance the nation’s capacity to withstand the impacts of climate change.

“But we cannot do it alone. We need the private sector, the government, and civil society to collaborate and support innovative, climate resilient solutions,” Muukua added.

In addition to the discussions, an exhibition showcased the work of various GMACC partners from sub-Saharan Africa, northern Africa, and Latin America, along with contributions from HSF, NNF, the Namibia Organic Association and the Capricorn Foundation.

This allowed organisations to share their objectives and achievements, fostering collaboration and networking among stakeholders.

“Our sessions have underscored the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders – the government, private sector, NGOs and local communities,” said HSF Namibia GMACC head Lara Beer.