PROJECTS

The DRFN being a non-profit organization depends on funding from external sources to implement some of its activities.
If you wish to make a donation towards the work that the organization implements, please make use of these banking details.
For more information on this please contact:

DRFN
FNB-Namibia
Account number: 555 011 525 61
Branch: Maerua
Branch code: 282273
Swift code: FIRNNANX

  • ASSAR radio series finale: episode 9

    Posted on Oct 23, 2018

    <p>The final episode in this series focused on the value of livestock, why farmers value their livestock herd as an investment and why such farmers are not quick to adapt to smart agricultural practices.</p> <p>One of the reasons is that,<a href="http://www.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/138/AF2018/posters/Considering%20religion%20and%20tradition%20in%20climate%20smart%20agriculture_Insights%20from%20Namibia_Julia.pdf" target="_blank"><span> </span>as ASSAR found</a>, many farmers in northern Namibia have deep-seated religious beliefs and see symbolic significance in their traditional ways of doing things. Rather than seeing this as a barrier to adaptation, it can been seen as an opportunity to promote climate smart agriculture. By working with religious and traditional value systems, extension workers could promote ...</p>

  • ASSAR: What the latest assessment on global warming means for southern Africa

    Posted on Oct 23, 2018

    <p>The principal investigator of the ASSAR project for Southern Africa, Prof. Mark New recently published an article on the implications of the 1.5 degrees warming in countries that ASSAR is working in. The full article can be read <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/">here</a>. The Paris Agreement has a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C. Understanding the local-level impacts of these global temperature targets is crucial for informing climate change adaptation needs and actions.</p> <p>In addition to the full report, Mark also wrote a news piece on what the 1.5 degrees warming could imply for countries such as Na...</p>

  • ASSAR series on critical temperature threshold

    Posted on Oct 16, 2018

    <p>The African Climate &amp; Development Initiative (<a href="http://acdi.uct.ac.za/">ACDI</a>), based at the University of Cape Town (UCT), working together with the University of Namibia (UNAM) and University of Botswana (UB), is producing a series of journalistic articles which address key research findings relating to how semi-arid regions in southern Africa should respond to the threat of a changing climate. </p> <p>This series is part of the outputs from a collaborative research project: Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR). This 5-year (2014-2018) project focuses on climate change adaptation in the Omusati Region in Namibia ...</p>

  • Calling on the DRFN alumni: 30th anniversary celebrations

    Posted on Oct 09, 2018

    <p>The DRFN will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020, and therefore we are calling on all alumni of the DRFN (students, staff, interns, researchers, associates, board members, volunteers, sponsors etc) to assist us with the compilation of a "memory book" to mark this milestone. If you have been a part of the DRFN in one way or another please send us an email with the following information:</p> <p>Name and Surname (include maiden name, if applicable) <br>Year(s) that you have been with DRFN <br>What activities where you engaged with? <br>Fondest memories and or milestones? <br>Short description o...</br></br></br></br></p>

  • ASSAR radio series on drought management

    Posted on Sep 24, 2018

    <p><a href="http://www.assar.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/138/Southern_Africa/ASSAR%27s%20work%20on%20drought%20-%20information%20brief%20-%20August%202016.pdf" target="_blank">ASSAR’s research</a> has found that for people to stay, and thrive, in Namibia’s northern rural areas, government needs to find ways to better support rural communities so that they have various ways to maintain their livelihoods during times of drought. ASSAR’s research recommends the need for climate-smart agricultural methods, and the development of economic opportunities for livelihoods outside of agriculture. </p> <p>Importantly, rural communities in semi-arid regions need access to state support during drought but in a way that does not create a dependent relationship that leaves communities waitin...</p>

  • Finale: radio stories on climate change

    Posted on Sep 18, 2018

    <p>The final show of the radio show looked at the value placed on livestock by rural farmers and why livestock. The news story on what transpired from the show can be read <a href="http://www.assar.uct.ac.za/news/livestock-wealth-rural-namibians">here</a>. The DRFN wishes to thank all of our esteemed stakeholders who part-took in this information sharing campaign and our gratitude also goes to Ms.  Ndamonako Anna Iita, who was the intern spearheading this activity.</p> <p>Those who are interested in recordings from these broadcasts, are welcome to contact our office for copies thereof.</p>

  • Gender, agriculture and climate change: Namibia radio show update

    Posted on Sep 17, 2018

    <p>The ASSAR radio show that has been airing on the KATI-fm radio-waves; which discusses various topics of interest in relation to the project findings has been on air since Monday 30 July 2018 and the last session will be broadcast next Monday 24 September 2018.</p> <p>The past 3 episodes focused on gender, agriculture and climate change and the in-studion guest included Ms. Margaret Angula (UNAM), Mr. Martin Embudile (Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry) and Mr. Sion Shifa (Ministry of Environment and Tourism) as they shared their expertise on the topics under discussion.</p> <p>For an update on what...</p>

  • ASSAR Spotlight on capacity building

    Posted on Sep 17, 2018

    <p>The role of the DRFN on the ASSAR project is to ensure that the research findings from the project are shared strategically within the country, and beyond to enable evidence-based research uptake. This has been achieved through the ASSAR "research into use" approach, which has been assigned to Bernadette Shalumbu since 2016 .</p> <p>One purpose of the DRFN is to enhance decision making for sustainable development which is achieved through evidence-based research, capacity development, evidence based advocacy and lobbying and the position of the DRFN within the ASSAR project allowed for all of these t...</p>

  • Innovative tech meets Donkerbos community

    Posted on Sep 06, 2018

    <p>The Donkerbos community had the opportunity to meet, mingle and share ancient stories as well as show off their creative skills to the tech team from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). With funding from the Embassy of Finland, NUST has created the Local Inclusive and Collaborative Technology Innovation Hub which aims to explore how digital technology can be used to develop or improve products and services in Namibia.</p> <p>The project aims to include marginalized communities into the innovation process and to ensure that products developed by marginalized communities also have ...</p>

  • ASSAR radio series: episodes 3 and 4

    Posted on Aug 29, 2018

    <p><strong>Drought and climate change communication</strong></p> <p>The third installment of ASSAR and Kati-FM's special climate change radio show, which aired Monday, August 13, addressed the dynamics and impacts of drought in northern Namibia. It looked at how communities in this area sustain their livelihoods in times of drought as well as Namibia’s legislation related to drought management.The in-studio guest for the show was Mr. Japhet Iitenge, Namibia's Director of Disaster Risk Management in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). He shared insights on when drought is categorized as a disaster in Namibia, the pol...</p>

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