Mobile storage unit to transform food value chain
In Namibia, the limited availability of closed storage space for grains has contributed to food waste, increased food insecurity and reduced national food reserves.The World Food Programme (WFP) has therefore availed one mobile storage unit to the Divundu Correctional Facility, marking a milestone in supporting Namibia’s efforts to transform the food value chain.
According to a joint statement by the correctional facility and WFP, while 811 million people worldwide go to bed hungry every night, approximately one third of food is lost or wasted. This results in an annual financial loss of about N$18.9 trillion.
“With a combined storage capacity of 450 metric tonnes, the mobile storage unit will provide essential support to the Divundu Correctional Facility, which is recognised as one of the largest correctional service producing farms in the country.”
According to the statement, the storage unit will be utilised to store maize and wheat.
These grains will undergo processing to produce maize meal, bread flour and bread.
“The resulting food products will be distributed to correctional institutions countrywide, as well as to selected police stations.”
It said this efficient system aims to minimise food waste and guarantee a consistent supply of food rations for inmates.
Reducing losses
“To address issues of food waste, WFP has been exploring possibilities for increasing storage facilities for the Namibian government, leveraging its experience as the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the lead on logistics and supply chain for the United Nations system,” WFP country director and representative Dr George Fedha said.
“This handover will demonstrate the mobile storage unit as an alternative method for storing food grains - reducing post-harvest losses, especially storage losses."
The statement added that WFP’s supply chain system is part of a larger global network and is poised to support the country office mission of transforming lives in Namibia.
“At the heart of this commitment is the drive to leverage innovative approaches to enhance national food systems and strengthen social protection systems.”
Although food production is not a key mandate of the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS), it has identified the need to impart agricultural skills for inmate rehabilitation and reintegration as well as to attain food self-sufficiency.
The NCS has food production strategies such as crop production at the Divundu Correctional Facility, animal husbandry at the Evaristus Shikongo Correctional Facility and piggeries at the Hardap and Oluno correctional facilities.
“This goes along with other smaller-scale projects at various correctional facilities across the country.”
The mobile storage unit will help the correctional facilities to preserve the quality of grains and protect them from potential contaminants, such as pests and moisture, which can cause grains to spoil or degrade.
“Together, we will continue to work towards a more just and inclusive society and contribute to organisational self-sufficiency, national food security and the attainment of zero hunger by 2030”, NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela said.