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Emergency Assistance to Promote Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience Building for Drought-Affected Communities in Namibia - TCP/NAM/3705

Year of publication 2021

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 7

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Small scale farming represents the backbone of the agriculture sector in Namibia, driven by livestock rearing, production and export as a main source of food, livelihood and income Over the years, smallholder crop production has increasingly added a significant dimension to the agriculture sector, despite its heavy reliance on rainfed and subsistence based production, which predisposes rural households to climate related vulnerabilities In this context, the most vulnerable households are still recovering from the aftermath of 2013 2014 and 2015 2016 El Niño induced droughts, the worst the country experienced in over 80 years. Since then, Namibia has seen a spike in agricultural production, thanks to favourable weather conditions except for pockets of household food insecurity in the northwest, west and southern regions hardest hit by dry spells, excessive rains and high prevalence of the Fall Armyworm ( As farmers gear up for the next agricultural season, another El Niño event is probable and already altering precipitation patterns Of particular concern is the slow regreening of vegetation, owing to poor and delayed onset of rains, with severe implications for grazing and livestock conditions in hotspot areas If the current forecast holds, 150 000 households may face a combination of poor harvests and/or reduced herds and further livestock mortalities, as well as limited access to water for the third consecutive season This would be detrimental for livelihoods and the overall ability to cope, deepening food and nutrition insecurity in 2019 with ripple effects felt in 2020 and beyond Against this background, the project aimed to protect and restore agricultural production, incomes and assets, and ensure a nutritious and diversified diet for the most vulnerable households in times of El Niño induced climate extremes and stressors.

Language English

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