• Oatf

Ohangwena puts emphasis on food sustainability

Food security is the aim and at the forefront of the international agri-food expo set for the month of August at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region.

Earlier this month, the Ohangwena regional council raised close to N$300 000 at a gala dinner to host the first Ohangwena Confex. The World Food Organisation, as the main sponsor, pledged N$150 000.

The Confex, which will be held under the theme ‘Igniting the Ohangwena Food Basket’, will take place from 10 to 13 August in Eenhana, in the Ohangwena Region.

The Confex will “showcase the region as an agricultural hub empowering the small-scale subsistence farmers and other relevant producers and services providers,” the council has stated.

The expo is aimed at providing a platform to “network and gain knowledge from other stakeholders with the focus to promote food production, preparation and packaging; share knowledge on the value of nutrition and implement initiatives; investigate and secure market access; capacitate the role players in the agriculture value chain; research, strengthen and implement initiatives in the Agribusiness.”



A unique occasion

Regional council spokesperson Panduleni Nepembe says it is the first of many to come.

Nepembe said the Ohangwena agri-food expo is positioning itself as a vehicle for economic prosperity in the region.

"The Confex, the first of its kind in the region, due to the uniqueness of the event structure, caters for the showcasing of products and produce, trade, workshops, information sessions and networking opportunities," he said.

Once completed, Nepembe said the organisations’ contributions will be wisely managed to ensure maximum social and environmental impact.

"The aim is to foster economic development while achieving positive social outcomes and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)," he said.

Nepembe said the expo forms part of the region’s plan to empower small-scale subsistence farmers to effectively and efficiently network, craft collaborations and promote food production, among many other gains.

He said the council will use the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) as a platform to market the region’s event, which they plan to make an annual affair.



Overview of agriculture in Ohangwena

The region has a total population of 245 446 people, 97.4% of who are based in rural areas. Unemployment stands at 45.5%, especially amongst youth.

"Mahangu and livestock production are the economic bases in the Ohangwena region. Subsistence farming is the main source of income for more than 70% of households. Only 2% of the households earn their income mainly from business activities," Nepembe said.

The region has approximately 303 318 herds of cattle, 31 538 goats, 2 500 sheep, 2 146 horses, 30 489 donkeys, 20 384 dogs, 298 crush pens and 194 238 poultry. There are an average of six cattle per household and eight goats per household.



Agricultural projects in Ohangwena:

• Agricultural processing facility – markets for mahangu markers

• Omauni horticulture project

• Onakalunga fish farm

• Plant a tree project (fruits bearing)

• Onehanga agricultural youth project

• Embwanyana agricultural project

• Ohangwena small-scale commercial farms