CBA Namibia - CES - Namibian President Visits Siya Community press release

Namibian President praises  a UNDP/GEF Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) Project that helps the Siya Self-Help Group, and contributes to resources

February 2011

In Kavango, Namibia, on 5 February 2011,  His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, paid a two-hour visit to the Siya Community Based Adaptation (CBA) Self Help Group.  This CBA project, like other programmes in nine other pilot countries around the world, is a five-year United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global initiative funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Strategic Priority on Adaptation (SPA) and supported by UNV and GEF Small Grant Programme (SGP).  The Siya group is among more than ten (10) CBA-funded groups in Namibia.

During the visit, various government officials explained conservation tillage to President Pohamba.  Members of the Siya group spoke about the adaptive conservation agriculture and micro drip-irrigation activities they are engaged in, including their use of diversification of crops, and the resulting increased food security, sales of surplus and savings.

President Pohamba praised the group members for their activities and results and said they are heading one of the most promising agriculture/adaptation projects in the country. He extended his wishes for them to carry on their hard work and encouraged them to expand it and continue to inspire others to take up similar activities. President Pohamba donated N$5,000 (approx US$725) for the Siya group to finance weeding services.  Up to now, the group has been hand-weeding 11.5 hectares of land.