Namibia Showcases Major Gains in Land Restoration at UNCCD CRIC23
Namibia has showcased significant advances in Sustainable Land Management and its national drive toward achieving Land Degradation Neutrality at the UNCCD Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23), held in Panama City. The country’s achievements were presented during a high-level side event titled Scaling Integrated Approaches for Drylands and Rangeland Resilience.
Speaking at the event, Kosmas Shilongo, National Project Coordinator for the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme Namibia Child Project, outlined the substantial progress made across the Kunene–Cuvelai, Etosha and Okavango sub-basin landscapes.
He highlighted the establishment of strong governance mechanisms, including triannual Landscape Management Committees, a standardised fire cutline protocol aligned with FAO guidance, and an Integrated Land Use Planning process aligned with LDN principles. These measures have strengthened adaptive management, improved coordination among stakeholders and enhanced landscape-level decision-making.
Mr Shilongo also detailed the project’s practical achievements. These include the procurement of 27,500 kilograms of drought-resistant seed, training delivered to 70 farmers and 52 fodder producers, the establishment of community seed banks and indigenous plant nurseries, and extensive capacity-building through Farmer Field Schools, Green Value Chain development and Training-of-Trainers programmes.
These interventions are improving food security, restoring degraded land and equipping communities with technical skills essential for climate-resilient agriculture.
Progress on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion was also highlighted. A gender assessment has been completed, a Gender Action Plan validated and targeted training provided to 27 representatives from producer groups, supporting institutions and the Project Management Unit. Integrating gender and social inclusion into landscape governance ensures that women, young people and marginalised groups are able to participate fully and benefit equitably from sustainable land management initiatives.
Further demonstrating innovation, Mr Shilongo presented advances in strengthening green value chains. These include Mutete production, the Devil’s Claw value chain, the development of a thatching grass depot and sustainable beekeeping training for 75 beekeepers. Such initiatives provide economic incentives that reinforce sustainable land and forest management while reducing pressure on natural ecosystems.
A particularly notable development is the piloting of FSC-certified charcoal production in the Etosha sub-basin. With bush encroachment affecting an estimated 45 million hectares in Namibia, this initiative offers a scalable solution for ecological restoration.
Implemented in partnership with the Mangetti Farmers Association, the intervention promotes responsible harvesting, restores grazing potential, produces biochar for soil rehabilitation and supports biomass supply for the forthcoming Oshikoto Biomass Power Generation Plant. The approach turns an environmental challenge into a viable livelihood opportunity.
Mr Shilongo also emphasised the project’s strengthened knowledge management efforts. These include the recruitment of five technical experts, publication of articles on FAO platforms, development of multilingual fire management materials, facilitation of community learning exchanges and active participation in regional DSL-IP workshops. Such knowledge-sharing initiatives support the scaling of best practices across Namibia and beyond.
He concluded by noting that the project successfully passed its Mid-Term Review and continues to meet all compliance and reporting requirements. Supported by the Global Environment Facility and technically backed by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the project is jointly implemented through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
Namibia’s coordinated and holistic approach demonstrates its growing capacity to address desertification, land degradation and drought. The progress made reinforces the country’s commitment to sustainable dryland management while contributing meaningfully to national and global targets under Land Degradation Neutrality and Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.
