Windhoek: City of Windhoek (CoW) Chief Executive Officer, Moses Matyayi has called for immediate steps to transform urban agriculture in response to growing food insecurity, warning that ‘behind these statistics are real lives.’
According to Namibia Press Agency, Matyayi was speaking at the opening of the 8th Windhoek Business Forum in Windhoek on Wednesday. Referring to findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Food Insecurity Analysis, he said about 1.2 million Namibians faced high levels of food insecurity between April and June 2024, more than double the number from the previous year.
‘This forum is not just a milestone. It is a strategic opportunity to act. Urban agriculture is no longer an option, it is an imperative,’ he said. He urged delegates to focus on turning policy suggestions into concrete actions, including legal reform and a roadmap to implement urban agriculture programmes.
He added that the forum must produce three to five actionable items that CoW can work on with the support of the mayor’s office. Matyayi stressed that agriculture and agro-processing are central pillars of the Windhoek Economic Development Strategy. He said the city must build an ecosystem that enables productivity and business growth in food systems, particularly as urban populations grow and water becomes less reliable.
Mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja, on her part, outlined the City’s immediate priorities. She confirmed plans to finalise the Windhoek Urban Food Systems Strategy by November 2025 and allocate land for small-scale urban farming by October. ‘Today is not just about dialogue, it is about action,’ she said.
She announced the launch of the Windhoek Grows campaign in July, a city-wide initiative to train up to 300 backyard gardeners across the city. Training will include composting, greywater use, raised beds and crop planning. The mayor also highlighted the need for legal recognition of urban agriculture, support for small farmers and greater coordination among stakeholders.
The forum brought together council officials, agricultural experts, private sector leaders and community representatives.