Partnership aimsto promote localorganic farming

Two organisations have teamed up to implement the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agro-Ecology in Southern Africa project.

The project, through the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and the Namibia Organic Association (NOA), aims to scale up the adaptation of organic farming practices in southern Africa.

The NNF and NOA, under an existing agreement signed in 2019, are jointly implementing the project to promote organic agriculture in the country.

NNF sustainable agriculture project coordinator and technical adviser Mareike Voigts, who is also the chairperson of NOA, last week told The Namibian that eight organic farming activities are currently being carried out in the country, mostly in the Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions, as well as at a national level in support of the organic sector.

Voigts said the project also supports various stakeholders in the organic sector, and it has identified the commercial beef sector to develop the organic beef value chain.

In the academic sector, the project supports the review of course material, mostly at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, as well as through hosting guest lectures on organic agriculture.

She further said the project also engages the media to promote organic agriculture and to share information on best agricultural practices to help contribute to the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

Meanwhile, the NNF and NOA will today host an Organic Food Jam event at Farm Krumhuk – located about 25km south of Windhoek.

The food jam builds on the first event held in March last year and aims to engage the public on the health and environmental benefits of organic agriculture, as well as add to knowledge of sustainable farming, especially in relation to food security and climate change adaptation.

The event will further focus on organic livestock production, as well as the role of the media in the policy sphere.

“It will incorporate interactive elements and engaging learning experiences with a deeper exploration of organic agricultural practices and the principles of eco-ecology,” Voigts said.

Organic produce does not contain chemicals that can be harmful to people and the environment.