Africa-Press – Namibia. MINISTER of urban and rural development Erastus Uutoni said regional and local governments have critical roles to play in fighting malnutrition, as urban food security is an increasingly urgent priority in the face of climate change, rising food prices and growing urban populations.
MINISTER of urban and rural development Erastus Uutoni said regional and local governments have critical roles to play in fighting malnutrition, as urban food security is an increasingly urgent priority in the face of climate change, rising food prices and growing urban populations.
Most at risk are residents of low-income settlements within low-and middle-income categories brought about by increasing rural-urban migration, said Uutoni during Africa Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development, observed by all Africa Union states.
The day was marked at Keetmanshoop on Thursday and reflected on the challenges experienced by individual nations and the continent in general.
It was commemorated under the theme: ‘Making food security a key priority for territorial development and cooperation’, and reflected on the role women can play in local food systems.
“Increasing food production within urban areas has limited potential, but urban planning can play a major role by providing effective transport links, food storage facilities, adequate water and sanitation infrastructure and waste management.
“In addition, regional and local government should support community-led initiatives to improve food access and reduce food insecurity. With better planning at regional and local government level, I am confident of government’s full support to the provision of food security and nutrition in both urban and rural areas.”
Uutoni said people migrate from agriculture to other economic sectors, and during this process of moving from rural to urban regions, agricultural activities lose importance in terms of producing food and employment creation.
Uutoni said the ministry is aware of land scarcity in urban areas, however, modern technologies in a form of aquaponics and hydrogens can be utilised to produce food all year round.
He urged local authorities and regional councils to incorporate proactive urban planning by securing land for both residential and food production purposes.
“The agricultural sector can be used as a catalyst to enhance the rural economy through the empowerment of women and the youth, through the production of food. We should dedicate all our efforts to have intra-regional export and imports, whereby people in rural areas should be able to produce and supply food to the urban areas at a larger scale,” Uutoni said.
Governor Aletha Frederick said the agricultural sector is a key driver and catalyst for fostering desired socio-economic transformation.
She said the government is resolute in reaching the goal of zero hunger and bringing food security to each home.
It is estimated that between 702 and 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021, while according to the World Food Programme, people suffer from acute hunger largely and in many cases due to man-made conflicts, climate change and economic downturns.
“While the prolonged drought has taught us that it is time to redefine and adapt to the effects of climate change. In 2019, Covid has brought out our most vulnerable characteristic as a nation – that we are too dependent on imports, and that we are not able to sustainably produce enough to feed ourselves. It has taught us great lessons to put more effort into food systems to attain self-sustenance,” said Frederick.
Most at risk are residents of low-income settlements within low-and middle-income categories brought about by increasing rural-urban migration, said Uutoni during Africa Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development, observed by all Africa Union states.
The day was marked at Keetmanshoop on Thursday and reflected on the challenges experienced by individual nations and the continent in general.
It was commemorated under the theme: ‘Making food security a key priority for territorial development and cooperation’, and reflected on the role women can play in local food systems.
“Increasing food production within urban areas has limited potential, but urban planning can play a major role by providing effective transport links, food storage facilities, adequate water and sanitation infrastructure and waste management.
“In addition, regional and local government should support community-led initiatives to improve food access and reduce food insecurity. With better planning at regional and local government level, I am confident of government’s full support to the provision of food security and nutrition in both urban and rural areas.”
Uutoni said people migrate from agriculture to other economic sectors, and during this process of moving from rural to urban regions, agricultural activities lose importance in terms of producing food and employment creation.
Uutoni said the ministry is aware of land scarcity in urban areas, however, modern technologies in a form of aquaponics and hydrogens can be utilised to produce food all year round.
He urged local authorities and regional councils to incorporate proactive urban planning by securing land for both residential and food production purposes.
“The agricultural sector can be used as a catalyst to enhance the rural economy through the empowerment of women and the youth, through the production of food. We should dedicate all our efforts to have intra-regional export and imports, whereby people in rural areas should be able to produce and supply food to the urban areas at a larger scale,” Uutoni said.
Governor Aletha Frederick said the agricultural sector is a key driver and catalyst for fostering desired socio-economic transformation.
She said the government is resolute in reaching the goal of zero hunger and bringing food security to each home.
It is estimated that between 702 and 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021, while according to the World Food Programme, people suffer from acute hunger largely and in many cases due to man-made conflicts, climate change and economic downturns.
“While the prolonged drought has taught us that it is time to redefine and adapt to the effects of climate change. In 2019, Covid has brought out our most vulnerable characteristic as a nation – that we are too dependent on imports, and that we are not able to sustainably produce enough to feed ourselves. It has taught us great lessons to put more effort into food systems to attain self-sustenance,” said Frederick.
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