NAMIBIA
Resilient Agriculture for a Thriving Economy: Analyzing the Socio-Economic Implications of the Fertilizer Crisis in Namibia
Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatened global food security by causing disruptions in the markets for important agricultural crops and fertilizers. With costs already at an all-time high because of the covid 19 epidemic, the conflict just aggravated the hardship on agricultural countries importing fertilizer, such as Namibia. It is crucial to analyze the ramifications that extend beyond the agricultural sector, rippling into social and economic realms.
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Namibia is still dealing with the consequences of its apartheid past, which are impeding growth and job creation. Its agricultural sector is still impoverished, worsened by high inflation. These factors collectively perpetuate a challenging cycle, demanding specialized measures for long-term economic growth. However, addressing these challenges is imperative and through our analysis, our proposed strategies seek to empower the region's farmers by facilitating improved access to crucial agricultural assets and inputs for the region's farmers. Also, these recommendations aspire to alleviate the existing repercussions and foster sustainable agricultural development.
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The 2024 International Research Project committee by AEclipse will conduct its research on “Resilient Agriculture for a Thriving Economy: Analyzing the Socio-Economic Implications of the Fertilizer Crisis in Namibia”. The research will study the compounded effects of the conflict-induced fertilizer crisis on agricultural productivity in Namibia alongside its existing challenges of poverty. The goal is to build long-term strategies and recommendations to fortify food security and reduce vulnerability to external disruptions and develop actionable policy suggestions to mitigate socio-economic impacts. The research consists of two major parts: the desk research in Rotterdam, Netherlands and the field research in Namibia.
Starting in January, a team of approximately 15 enthusiastic researchers from different (Pre)Masters Specializations will undertake an average of 10 hours per week of hands-on field research in the project. The research will entail 5 months of desk research and a two-week field trip in May. This project presents an excellent opportunity for students to actively tackle pertinent issues in economic development, honing their ability to devise effective strategies aimed at mitigating the challenges at hand. The IRP also aims to enrich its research endeavor by conducting a symposium, guest lectures and other interactive activities.
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