Staff Writer
The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) has concluded a five-year climate change adaptation project worth about N$164 million in the Kunene region.
The project, known as IREMA, was implemented in Sesfontein, Fransfontein and Warmquelle in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform. It was approved by the Green Climate Fund board on 1 March 2018.
The initiative had a total financing envelope of US$10 million (approximately N$164 million). It aimed to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers and rural communities affected by drought and climate variability.
EIF manager for corporate communications, Romeo Muyunda, said the project delivered environmental, social and economic benefits to vulnerable communities.
He said the project benefited an estimated 68 600 people, including 15 347 direct beneficiaries and 53 253 indirect beneficiaries. This exceeded the original target of 21 000 people.
More than 10 000 smallholder farmers directly benefited from climate adaptation measures. He said community gardens and green schemes were established and rehabilitated to improve food security and income.
In Fransfontein, 16 hectares of community horticulture gardens were rehabilitated and brought into full production.
This directly supported 90 households and indirectly benefited another 390 households through improved access to fresh produce and income.
In Warmquelle, a 16-hectare green scheme with drip irrigation was rehabilitated. Seven commercial greenhouses covering 3 528 square metres were established to restore food production and improve access to fresh produce throughout the year.
Through a Small Stock Revolving Scheme, 2 500 drought-tolerant goats were distributed to 151 vulnerable households. Some households have already revolved their stock.
Nine boreholes were rehabilitated, improving access to water for more than 1 100 community members and supporting livestock and horticulture activities.
The project also distributed 2 000 energy-efficient stoves to reduce fuel use and pressure on natural resources. Nine firebreak cutlines covering more than 30 000 hectares were established and handed over to local rangeland management committees to prevent wildfires.
More than 1 600 farmers received training in climate-smart agriculture to improve land management and productivity. In 2023, the Sesfontein 16-hectare horticulture farm was completed, including the installation of a 173-kilowatt solar-powered irrigation system.
Women made up more than half of the beneficiaries and played active roles in garden committees and water point management bodies.
Muyunda said partnerships with the Namibia Meteorological Service and Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) enabled the installation of automated weather stations to strengthen drought early warning systems. He said ownership of the climate information systems has been transferred to the Namibia Meteorological Service to ensure continuity.
“The successful completion of the IREMA project marks a significant milestone in Namibia’s climate action journey and reaffirms EIF’s commitment to mobilising and managing climate finance that delivers tangible, long-term benefits for communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” Muyunda said.
