Agriculture used to rehabilitate inmates

The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) has identified the need to impart agricultural skills for inmate rehabilitation and reintegration as well as to attain food self-sufficiency.NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela said this at the launch of an integrated food production project at the Hardap Correctional Facility.The project is being implemented at Nedersetting No.607, a portion of the correctional facility, by the NCS in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Impact for Africa and Lithon Project Consultants.The initiative will support efforts in scaling up domestic food production, developing agricultural value chains and improving socio-economic outcomes, the stakeholders said.It will develop, prepare and execute an agricultural pilot project, producing numerous high-value crops for local and international markets.The project is anticipated to span over 100 hectares, with the pilot phase beginning on an initial five hectares.According to a joint statement, the project is expected to bolster agricultural production, boost the local economy and create a long-term pathway for self-sufficiency.Rehabilitate and reintegrateHamunyela said the initiative not only contributes to the mandate of the NCS to provide safe, secure and humane custody for offenders to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the community, but also to the food security of the country.This is evidenced by several activities such as the establishment of four hydroponics projects at four correctional facilities - Gobabis, Oluno, Walvis Bay and Windhoek Female, he said.Meanwhile, the donation of eight metric tons of wheat seeds, envisaged for planting in the coming season at Divundu, Evaristus Shikongo and Hardap correctional facilities, as well as the installation of a 10-hectare centre pivot irrigation system at Hardap - equipped with 42 solar panels - will also contribute to these targets, he said.“Furthermore, due to the good working relationship between us, the NCS was invited to and attended the South-to-South learning exchange in Zimbabwe in December. The exchange was aimed at sharing experiences and ideas on the effective implementation of sustainable integrated food systems that are transformative and promote rural economic growth.”He said this cooperation has other envisaged projects such as the establishment of the Kaoko-Otavi Correctional Facility. This is an agricultural irrigation project in the Kunene Region, covering 250 hectares, which is aimed at contributing to the country’s food security.

Agriculture used to rehabilitate inmates

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

Please login to leave a comment

Agriculture used to rehabilitate inmates

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

Please login to leave a comment

Login