Vegetables cultivated in Swakop

Vegetables cultivated in SwakopPromoting food security with town gardens The coastal town became the first in Namibia to officially establish an urban garden project where needy residents can plant vegetables, fruits and more in a bid to increase food security. Erwin Leuschner







SWAKOPMUND

An urban agricultural project in Swakopmund was officially launched last Friday after the town council made available a suitable area of land for this purpose at the former sewage treatment plant. The project is set to be expanded to other parts of the town in the foreseeable future.

The garden project has come to fruition thanks to an initiative by town health services manager, Clive Lawrence. Lawrence is retiring after serving the municipality for more than 23 years.

“It has long been our idea to promote food security. This project will bring many benefits and an economic boom,” he said last week.

The former sewage treatment plant in Tamariskia is no longer being used, but it has not yet been shut down. “So, the area is ideal,” Lawrence said.

The municipality will now build two large greenhouses on site. In addition, there are 30 small parcels of land residents can apply for.

According to Lawrence, a bidding process was initiated where interested persons could apply. A total of 460 applications were received.

‘Great need’

“Unfortunately, we can only accommodate 30 persons for now, but this shows that there is a great need,” he said. Town council charges a small rental fee for each parcel and successful applicants will receive necessary training.

To start off, council will provide farmers with seeds as well as irrigation water. Fertiliser was donated by AEIC Mining.

“We started a similar project at eight schools a few years ago, and it has been successful, so we are now expanding it. Our goal is for Swakopmunders to not only produce their own food, but also to be able to sell it to generate an income,” he said.

Lawrence described the project as important now that the Covid-19 pandemic has shown how vulnerable society is.

“In response to this crisis, we agree that we need to improve food security,” he added.

Mayor Louisa Kativa called on the successful applicants to work hard.

“I will make surprise visits and make sure that you take advantage of this initiative,” she said.