O Projecto ADSWAC realizou recentemente a primeira colheita no campo do Centro Comunitário Regional para as Alterações Climáticas, no município de Calai. A actividade resultou na produção de 120 kg de beringela e 10 kg de cebola, marcando o arranque da fase experimental de cultivo naquele espaço comunitário.

Esta etapa teve como foco o teste de técnicas agrícolas e a adaptação das práticas às condições locais de solo e clima, criando bases para futuras plantações diversificadas e sustentáveis. Parte da produção foi reservada para selecção de sementes destinadas às próximas campanhas agrícolas, assegurando continuidade e reforçando a capacidade produtiva do centro.

A experiência permitiu ainda à equipa técnica avaliar o desempenho das culturas, identificar melhorias e consolidar aprendizagens práticas que irão orientar as próximas fases de produção.

Paralelamente, no município do Dirico, e no âmbito das comemorações do Dia Nacional do Ambiente, o Projecto ADSWAC, em coordenação com a Administração Municipal, promoveu uma campanha de distribuição e plantação de árvores frutíferas. A acção culminou com a plantação de 45 mudas, das quais 30 mamoeiros e 15 maracujueiros.

A actividade contou com a participação de funcionários da Administração Municipal, direcções escolares, técnicos, efectivos da Polícia de Ordem e Segurança, professores e membros da sociedade civil, reforçando o envolvimento comunitário e o compromisso colectivo com a sustentabilidade ambiental.

ADPP Angola launched the CREW Project – Climate-Resilient Women – Angola, on January 26 in Ondjiva, Cunene Province, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and OSS, with support from the Green Climate Fund.

The ceremony was chaired by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Iury Valter de Sousa Santos, representing the Minister of Environment. In his speech, the official highlighted that the main objective of the project is to strengthen the climate resilience of rural communities through a transformative gender approach, addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change in southern Angola.

The CREW Angola Project focuses on enhancing the adaptive capacity of rural communities in Cunene, one of the provinces most affected by rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and prolonged droughts. The initiative spans the sectors of agriculture, environment, water, and nutrition, placing women and youth at the center of solutions for climate resilience. The primary beneficiaries are women household heads, subsistence farmers, and other groups in highly vulnerable situations, with direct impact on their families and communities.

The delegation of the ADSWAC Project Regional Steering Committee carried out a field mission in Angola and Namibia from 26 to 29 August, as part of its 4th ordinary meeting, which took place in the city of Rundu.

The aim was to assess the project’s implementation, identify challenges, propose joint solutions, and closely monitor the activities carried out by producer organizations (POs) in both countries.

The Rundu meeting brought together representatives from the Ministries of Environment of Angola and Namibia, the Provincial Governments of Okavango, Cuando and Cubango, the Municipal Administration of Calai, GABHIC, and the OKACOM Permanent Commission. Also present were national representatives from ADPP Angola and DAPP Namibia, along with the ADSWAC technical team.

Mission in Angola
In Angola, the delegation worked in the municipality of Calai, Cubango Province. The members were welcomed by the Deputy Administrator, José Kamuanga, who highlighted the importance of the visit and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting local development initiatives.

The mission included a visit to the construction site of the Regional Climate Change Action Centre, which will aim to promote research and build capacity in climate adaptation best practices.

Also in Calai, the delegation visited the Lupololo Producer Organization, where they observed progress in community-based agricultural work, considered essential to strengthening food security, environmental sustainability, and the socio-economic development of the region.

Mission in Namibia
In Namibia, the committee members visited the communities of Rugcuza, Nambi, and Ruparo, where they met with producer organizations and directly engaged with local farmers. The exchange served to assess progress, share experiences, and consolidate dialogue around strategies for climate change resilience.

As part of Activity 3123 of the ADSWAC project, the National Executing Entity (NEE) in Dirico is implementing actions aimed at establishing nurseries and seed banks to strengthen environmental resilience and food security in local communities.

At Producer Organization (PO) No. 4, located in Tune, a community nursery has been established with various fruit and medicinal plant species, namely lemon, passion fruit, and moringa. The initiative actively involved community members, who received hands-on training in nursery production and maintenance techniques, thus contributing to the sustainability of local agricultural practices.

In parallel, a training cycle targeting Producer Organizations has begun in the municipality of Dirico, covering topics such as agricultural storage systems and the selection of seeds suitable for the rainy season. The sessions used practical examples tailored to the local context, promoting the adoption of effective and locally adapted solutions.

In the municipality of Calai, the Producer Organization of Lupololo completed the development of its Community Adaptation Action Plan (CAAP), marking a decisive step in strengthening local resilience and implementing concrete measures to adapt to climate change.

Also in Calai, the 1st Meeting on the Community Adaptation Action Plan took place, during which the six essential steps for its development were presented. The main topics discussed included:

• Understanding climate change
• Analyzing the local context and identifying observed changes
• Diagnosing root causes and defining solutions for the main challenges

These actions are part of the ADSWAC Angola–Namibia project, which aims to empower border communities to face the challenges posed by climate change, promoting sustainable practices and integrating traditional knowledge with innovative approaches.

The ADSWAC project is driving agricultural and community development in Angola through strategic and sustainable actions.
The project’s technical team benefited from intensive training in management, leadership, and strategic planning, with the aim of improving the effectiveness of community interventions.

In Cuangar, farmers have adopted organic composting as a practice to improve soil fertility, increase productivity, and strengthen climate resilience.
In addition, ADSWAC continues to support local solutions to reduce post-harvest losses and combat food insecurity in rural areas, promoting sustainability and food security.

Learn more about ADSWAC Angola by clicking on https://www.adswac.org