Page 8 - MRC Newsletter Ed-1 (2021)

MRC at a Glance

“Research our core business” has value addition to local foods mechanisms towards COVID-19
been our inspiring slogan and which potentially also contribute in Namibia as well as conducting
indeed we have been at it, states to economic empowerment. an assessment of lifestyle related
Prof Indongo. Over the years, we Notably, are the many trainings diseases and coping mechanisms
interrogated a number of social, we conducted under ZERI on of people living in urban areas
ecological and technology mushroom cultivation and to date in Namibia. Researchers also
issues through research and we are proud to announce that worked with communities in the
our interaction with the wider a number of people we trained Kunene region, looking at the
community and beyond has been have started their small businesses feasibility and effectiveness of
extensive. Apart from being part of on mushroom while some are at restoration as an ecosystem-based
collaborative research projects, we advanced plans to establish large adaptation approach. Moreover,
communicated our research and scale mushroom farming. There an experimental site was set up
research initiatives by organising are some products that were and it is anticipated that this
research conferences, and some developed from a number of initiative will eventually develop
aspects of our research were dully research initiatives and these have into an impactful community
interrogated through round table immense health benefits. engagement project. In addition,
discussions with experts in the public researchers studied the impact of
and private sector and NGOs. Furthermore, gender equality has climate change on the livelihoods
been a cross cutting aspect in all of communities irregularly disrupted
Worth noting is that sustainable our research initiatives. Gender by seasonal flooding, and how they
development goals have been has been studied in relation to become resilient.
at the heart of our planning and land access, climate change
we aspired to play our role and resilience as well as in relation Vigorous resource mobilisation for
contribute to Namibia’s successful to the most recent COVID-19 research was also the focus of our
attaining all SDGs. With regards outbreak. Researchers also made researchers for years and in this
to zero hunger, fighting poverty strides in providing information on regard, researchers at the MRC
and ensuring good health and the living conditions and wellbeing have been proactive in mobilising
wellbeing, researchers promoted of older persons, assessing the resources for various research
projects on food security and attitudes, behaviour and coping projects. Funding was mobilised

08 RESEARCH MATTERS VOL 8. 2021 MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTRE