FAO, GEF and Namibia join forces to boost climate resilience in dryland farming communities

Omuthiya, Namibia – More than 65 agricultural stakeholders including farmers, extension officers, and community organizations recently completed an intensive training program to boost resilience in Namibia’s dryland regions. The two-week Training of Trainers (ToT) was held in Omuthiya, Omusati, and Rundu regions in August 2025, focused on Community Seed Banks, Farmer Field Schools, and Green Value Chains.

The initiative is part of the Namibia Child Project under the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP), led by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR), with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Building resilient livelihoods

Smallholder farmers in Namibia face low and unstable market prices, limited access to extension services, and the erosion of traditional seed systems. To respond, the training equipped participants with tools to strengthen seed sovereignty, improve market access, and adopt sustainable production practices.

Through the Green Value Chain module, farmers learned strategies to add value to their products and reduce risks in harvesting non-timber forest products such as Devil’s Claw. “From this training, I learned how to assess risks and will take this knowledge back to my community,” said Max Muyemburuko Mburuko from Muduva Nyangana Conservancy.

Preserving seeds, preserving resilience

The Community Seed Bank sessions focused on protecting and storing drought-tolerant varieties to safeguard food security and agro-biodiversity. Farmers shared traditional knowledge and explored how seed banks can help communities withstand climate shocks.

“I now know how to store traditional seeds, share them within my community, and establish a seed bank,” said Sylvia Uuwanga from the Eudafano Women’s Cooperative in Ontoko village.

Turning knowledge into action

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) provided a hands-on platform for learning in sustainable agriculture, rangeland management, and watershed conservation. Participants emphasized that many rural communities are eager for practical skills to complement awareness campaigns.

“We will use the skills learned to help communities identify their own problems and design solutions such as adopting conservation agriculture or planting indigenous trees,” said Emily Karambuka from Diyona Forestry Office.

A multiplier effect across drylands

With participants drawn from Namibia’s Kunene-Cuvelai, Etosha, and Okavango Sub-basin landscapes, the training aimed to create a multiplier effect equipping regional trainers who will replicate knowledge in local languages and contexts.

“This program is not only about knowledge transfer it is about empowering Namibia’s dryland communities to drive sustainable change from the ground up,” said a DSL-IP representative.

Towards a sustainable future

By integrating seed sovereignty, inclusive value chains, and practical field-based learning, Namibia is equipping its dryland communities with the tools to adapt, thrive, and contribute to the country’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.

The Namibia Child Project is part of the GEF-funded Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes, which supports 11 countries across Africa and Asia including Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe with FAO as a lead technical partner.