Namibia drills 12 boreholes in Oshikoto region
Six boreholes are fully installed to combat water scarcity affecting agricultural productivity and food security.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform drilled 12 boreholes in Namibia's Oshikoto region during the 2025/2026 Financial Year. Six of these boreholes are now fully installed, with a short pipeline also constructed, to address persistent water scarcity. Deputy Minister Ruthy Masake announced these developments on Friday at the 2026 World Food Day commemoration in Onyaanya.
Masake stated that these interventions, a collaboration with the Oshikoto Regional Council and development partners, aim to improve water access and reduce community travel distances. She highlighted that Oshikoto faces significant water scarcity, impacting agricultural productivity, food security, and economic development, and exacerbating the vulnerability of food-insecure communities, especially during droughts.
These boreholes are part of broader government efforts to build resilience in agrifood systems, including initiatives like the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector and the Green Scheme Programme. Masake acknowledged farmers' contributions to food security and stressed that innovation, including traditional knowledge, is important for nourishing tomorrow.
Why it mattersThe drilling of 12 boreholes in the Oshikoto region aims to improve water availability for agricultural productivity and food security, directly benefiting communal farmers and livestock management.