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Cultivating change: urban agriculture in Namibia

Urban farming helps by growing fresh and affordable food close to where it’s needed.

As Namibia’s cities expand and climate pressures increase, urban agriculture is becoming a vital solution

It is more than just growing food – it offers a path to sustainable development, social fairness, and economic opportunity.

In Windhoek and other towns, communities are transforming empty plots, rooftops, and informal settlements into gardens, chicken coops, and small farms. These projects help address major challenges such as water shortages, food insecurity, and rapid urban growth.

Between 2011 and 2023, Windhoek’s population increased by over 65%, stretching infrastructure and services to the limit. More than 100,000 households now live in informal areas, where access to healthy, affordable food is often lacking. At the same time, climate change, rising food prices, and economic hardship have made it harder for families to feed themselves.

Urban farming helps by growing fresh and affordable food close to where it’s needed. It creates jobs for women and young people, and encourages better use of land and natural resources. It also supports several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to hunger, health, gender equality, and climate action. By using ideas like waste recycling, nutrition education, and circular economy practices, communities grow stronger and gain valuable skills.

During the Covid-19 crisis, UNDP Namibia launched the Build Back Better Agriculture Project to respond to food shortages. Since then, it has grown into a wide-reaching programme that supports over 1,300 households and small businesses. It provides access to digital tools for planning crops, solar-powered transport for taking produce to market, water-saving systems, climate-smart farming, and skills training through vocational colleges.

With 70% of Namibians living under water stress, saving water is crucial. Local farmers are adopting precision irrigation, drought-tolerant crops, and modern mapping tools to grow more with less. Namibia can also take inspiration from countries like Mexico, where ancient farming techniques are combined with rainwater harvesting.

To grow further, urban agriculture will need support from government, business, and communities. With smart investment models, it can continue to improve lives and protect the environment. This green movement is about more than food – it’s about securing a better, fairer future.