Kamanjab launches youth sustainability project

To address unemployment and a lack of food security, the north-western village of Kamanjab launched a self-sustainability project last Friday.

Kamanjab constituency councillor Nico Somaeb told The Namibian the project was initiated last year.

“The project was initiated to create self-sustainability for the youth. A plantation will be part of it, whereby farming with pigs and chickens will take place,” Somaeb said.

Vegetables and fruit will be grown on six hectares of land, donated by the Kamanjab Village Council.

“Youths must generate income from the selling of pigs, chickens, eggs, fruits and vegetables,” said Somaeb.

There is no funding for the project and any surplus undertaken by the Kamanjab constituency office will be used for the project.

The agriculture ministry will assist with the machinery for ploughing, and training will start this week in collaboration with Agribank and the agriculture ministry, said Somaeb.

About 132 youths registered to participate in the project, however, only a few turned up at the launch.

Somaeb called upon the youth in and around Kamanjab to register at the constituency office if they want to be part of this youth empowerment project.

The Kamanjab Village Council have also drilled a borehole for the project and supplied two 5 000 litre water tanks.

Village chairperson and acting youth chairperson of the Kamanjab Youth Forum Elsie /Goagoses said the project will help the youth to sustain themselves.

“Youths do not only benefit from the capital project, which might last for a certain [number of] months, however, with this project they can work for a longer period,” /Goagoses said.

Young people first have to work on a volunteer basis by selling the produce.

According to /Goagoses, participating youths will elect the management committee for the project and also set up a salary structure.

She expressed her gratitude to the Kamanjab Village Council, agriculture ministry, Agribank and all other stakeholders.

Organisations and individuals who want to assist are called on to do so for the betterment the livelihood of the youth.