Village shows how backyard farming can fight hunger
A village in the Omaheke Region is being recognised as an example of how community-led agriculture can improve food security, after residents transformed household gardens into a sustainable source of food and income.
Speaking during his State of the Region Address on Monday, Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate highlighted Okorukurure, a village in the Otjinene Constituency, as evidence that local initiatives can help address hunger, poverty and inequality.
Home to about 50 households, the village is mainly inhabited by farm workers and former farm workers who have embraced household food production through irrigated backyard gardens and rain-fed cultivation.
Nganate said the community had shown that food security begins at household level and that similar projects could be replicated across the region.
“Okorukurure is not an ordinary village,” he said.
“It can become a game changer in our drive towards food security and a catalyst in realising the dream of taking agriculture as an enabler in fighting hunger, poverty, unemployment and restoring the dignity of our people.”
Each household grows a variety of crops, including fruit trees such as lemons, oranges and bananas, as well as vegetables such as onions, carrots and chillies. The gardens provide families with a reliable source of food while reducing dependence on purchased produce.
Nganate said he had visited the village personally to observe the project, describing it as tangible proof that communities can create sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.
He added that Okorukurure’s success had strengthened his belief that the region could achieve its goal of ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry.
“These villages have given me hope that there is indeed a brighter future for Omaheke and that my dream of ensuring that no child goes to bed on an empty stomach is attainable,” he said.
The governor said the initiative also demonstrated that Namibia has the resources to feed its population if they are used effectively and equitably.
He argued that local food production should become a cornerstone of regional development, particularly in rural communities where agriculture remains a key source of income and employment.
Nganate encouraged residents to embrace household gardening and community farming projects, saying they provide a practical and sustainable way to improve food security while promoting dignity and self-reliance.
The success of Okorukurure, he said, reflects Omaheke’s broader vision of using agriculture not only to feed communities, but also to stimulate rural development, create economic opportunities and strengthen resilience against future food insecurity.
