Niël Terblanché
On Friday, Namibia took an innovative step towards improving food security and rehabilitating offenders serving sentences in prison with the inauguration of an agricultural project at the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility.
The project, located in the Zambezi region, aims to repurpose the idle Katima Farm into a food-producing correctional facility, marking an important milestone for both the country’s correctional system and agricultural sector.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, while speaking at the event, stressed the transformative potential of the project.
“This facility will not only provide a secure environment for individuals serving their sentences but will also play a vital role in producing food to contribute to the food security of our country,” he said.
He added that the project strengthens the government’s commitment to converting correctional facilities into productive centres that support national development goals, particularly food security initiatives.
“The new facility will be constructed in phases, starting with fencing, the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, and the installation of irrigation systems. Upon completion, the farm is expected to cultivate approximately 420 hectares of arable land, focusing on essential crops like maize, wheat, and sunflower, as well as a variety of fruits and vegetables,” he said.
According to Mutorwa, the facility will also process maize into maize meal and sunflower into cooking oil, adding further value to the crops produced.
“From the construction phase to its eventual operation, this project will create numerous employment opportunities for local residents. Both skilled and unskilled workers will benefit from the project. Local suppliers and contractors will also see increased demand, further boosting the region’s economy,” Mutorwa said.
According to Mutorwa, besides addressing food security and job creation, the facility’s agricultural activities will help reduce the correctional service’s reliance on external food suppliers, thereby lowering costs and ensuring more sustainable operations.
“However, challenges remain, such as the need to improve irrigation systems and storage facilities to overcome agricultural setbacks like pest infestations and adverse weather conditions,” he added.
Mutorwa added that by leveraging agriculture as a tool for both food production and inmate rehabilitation, the facility aims to create long-term benefits for the nation and the region, enhancing Namibia’s capacity to meet its food security goals and improve the lives of its citizens.
Dr Albert Kawana, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, also spoke at the event and said such projects play an important role in addressing broader socio-economic challenges, including crime prevention and job creation.
Kawana said that the correctional facility’s agricultural initiatives align with national development plans and contribute to broader rehabilitation goals by imparting agricultural skills to inmates.
The minister added that the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility will create broader economic benefits for the Zambezi region.
