By Donald Matthys   

Phase four out of 5, means that people are facing extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition and disease levels are excessively high and the risk of hunger-related death is rapidly increasing. The projection covers the period between July until September.

Economists have criticized the insufficient output of Namibia’s green schemes, as the latest Acute Food Insecurity analysis classifies all 14 regions in crisis.

According to the report, between April and June this year, an estimated 1,2 million people in Namibia faced high levels of acute food insecurity and urgent action is required to reduce food gaps and protect livelihoods.

The most vulnerable groups include the unemployed, marginalized communities, those with no national documents to benefit from social safety nets, children under the age of five, pregnant and breastfeeding women and pensioners in both urban and rural areas.

This number has more than doubled from the 491 000 people projected to be facing acute food insecurity in the July 2023 analysis.

The report shows that deteriorating food security is mainly driven by the El Niño, impacting crop and livestock production, climatic shocks, price shocks, economic decline and unemployment.

“The majority of households depend on crop and livestock farming which is primarily rainfall dependent,” the document reads.

According to the report, dry spells and sporadic and insufficient rainfall were experienced between January and February 2024, resulting in the wilting of crops, negatively affecting the prospects of a good harvest this season.

During July to September, the food insecure population is expected to worsen with an additional 8%. This is about 1,4 million people who will experience high levels of acute food insecurity.

Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu argues that the severe food insecurity, despite eight operational green schemes, highlights their insufficient number and potential inefficiencies in output due to poor management or outdated practices and technology.

“Addressing these shortcomings, if they exist, could put Namibia on sustainable food production and security. That is, either increase the area size of the green schemes or introduce state-of-the-art technology to increase yields. Storage in terms of adequate silo space could also play a role,” Kakujaha-Matundu says.

Economist Josef Sheehama says eight out of eleven green projects are insufficient in ensuring the country’s food security.

“To attain self-sufficiency and food security, the country must invest in and restore all eleven green projects,” Sheehama says.

He says the government can promote green projects by investing more, expanding their influence and promoting sustainable activities.

Sheehama says issues that have been hindering the performance of the green schemes to achieve the set goals are inconsistent policies, lack of political commitment, low awareness and the lack of technical know-how among the managements.

“The lack of full-time involvement by the top leaders who are responsible for these green schemes cost the government. The green schemes were underutilized and abandoned large-scale irrigation systems,” Sheehama says.

Households are urged to use river and canal water for crops, while the Ministry of Health and Social Services is urged to improve breastfeeding practices, food preparation and produce therapeutic foods with the University of Namibia for malnourished children.

The Office of the Prime Minister is urged to continue drought relief, address supply delays and enhance the food basket to meet nutritional needs.