In many parts of Namibia, especially in rural areas, communities face ongoing struggles with food security. Traditional farming methods are becoming harder to sustain due to climate change, poor soil, and limited water. For young people trying to build futures in agriculture, there have not always been enough tools or opportunities to learn modern, more effective ways to farm.

To help change this, a brand-new aquaponics system was officially handed over to the DAPP Namibia Vocational Training School on 18 March 2025 near Outapi in the Omusati region. This is not just any farming system—it is an innovative setup that grows plants without soil while also raising fish, using water more efficiently than traditional farming.

The system was delivered as part of the "Think Namibia" campaign and the ‘Aquaponics Systems for Educational Institutions’ project, run by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF). The Embassy of Finland to Namibia and Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) also supported, with the Finnish Embassy funding the project through its Funds for Local Cooperation (FLC) programme.

So far, nine aquaponics systems have been set up in vocational schools in underserved areas. The idea is simple: give students hands-on experience with climate-smart farming, and let them take those skills back to their communities.

As Alfred Besa, Managing Director of DAPP Namibia, explained: “This system is valuable because it grows food in more than one way. It’s a great chance for local farmers to see what is possible.”

The DAPP Vocational Training School is accredited up to NQA Level 3 in agriculture. With this aquaponics system now in place, the school is preparing to expand its training to Level 4 and 5, bringing even more advanced skills and knowledge to students. This means more young people will be trained in sustainable farming methods that work even when the climate is changing.

Namibia Breweries Limited has committed to supporting this project for the next three years, helping ensure it grows stronger and reaches more people. As NBL’s Franklin Angermund put it:

“We’re here for the long run. Our goal is to help people and the planet by supporting practical solutions like aquaponics.”

This project is more than just technology—it’s about empowering young people, building stronger communities, and creating new ways to grow food in a changing world. Thanks to the support of partners like HSF, the Embassy of Finland, and NBL, the future of farming in Omusati just got a lot brighter.

In the heart of Namibia’s Ohangwena Region, many families have long faced the daily struggle of not having enough nutritious food. Limited access to water, poor soil, and unpredictable weather make it difficult to grow crops, and as a result, poor nutrition remains a serious challenge, especially in rural villages like Ohainengena.

To help tackle this issue, DAPP Namibia, with support from UK International Development through the British High Commission in Windhoek, launched the Nutrition and Community Gardening Project in November 2024. The project is currently supporting 68 households, 50 of them led by women, helping them grow their own food and build a better future.
Families in Ohainengena village received training in how to grow vegetables using simple, organic methods that work well in their environment. They also learned about nutrition and how to adjust their farming practices to cope with climate change. With this knowledge and some practical tools, families are now tending to a 0.5-hectare community garden equipped with fencing and water supply from a nearby earth dam.
During a recent visit, British Deputy High Commissioner Ben Stride praised the progress being made, saying, “Building climate resilience in grassroots communities is crucial.”

Today, villagers have the opportunity to grow crops like spinach, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and maize—enough to feed their families and even sell the extra produce for income. The garden has become more than just a food source; it's a symbol of self-reliance and community spirit.
As Alfred Besa, Managing Director of DAPP Namibia, put it: “The garden belongs to the community, and its success depends on collective responsibility.”