Agroecology is not a new invention, it emerges from the Indigenous Peoples food systems since time immemorial. More recently, agroecology has found favor in rural farmers’ practices, and grassroots. Agroecology is basically helping to deliver solutions to local problems being faced by rural women farmers across the country, basing on the knowledge, traditional, and the practical knowledge of producers. By favoring food sovereignty and adaptive capacity, agroecology empowers producers and communities as key agents of change.
Under the Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) Zambia FACE project in Rufunsa District, women attended an Agroecology roots of resilience training. During this training, women were educated on a general approach that seeks to reconcile agriculture with natural processes. A Trainers of Trainers youth workshops funded by the Zambia RWA are held every month on climate change resilience. Twenty (20) youths; 10 from Chongwe and the other 10 from Mumbwa practically share ideas on how best rural farm lands can be saved from the effects of climate change.
Rufunsa women attending the Agro-Ecology roots of resilience project
Agroecology demo plots designed by the youths in Mumbwa District
Quality seed is one of the most important yield-enhancing inputs for crop production in a rural setup.
Achieving sustainable increases in agricultural productivity is dependent, to a large extent, on the readiness of and access to quality seed.
In agriculture, postharvest is the stage of crop production immediately following harvest, including preservation, cleaning, sorting and packing.
Rural women farmers in Mumbwa District held a training on saved seed multiplication and post-harvest where they were trained how to increase agricultural productivity and access to quality seed.
They were taught that having a well-developed seed sector is one of the requirements to boost crop productivity and production.
Zambia is a country blessed with vast agricultural resources, but there is a hidden problem that remains unnoticed.
Many rural women farmers cultivate and harvest their crop and at the end of the day end up in uncalculated losses due to poor preserving and storing of seeds.
Post-harvesting trainings were part of the activities done by Rural Women’s Assembly in Mumbwa district and teachings on how to preserve seeds for a longer period were done, including methods of storing seeds using the locally generated preservations such as charcoal ash.
Seed multiplication and post-harvest training in Mumbwa District
Changing climatic conditions have had devastating effects on Zambia with impacts to physical and biological systems already being felt.
The Climate induced changes are putting great stress on the Zambia’s already vulnerable sectors mostly the agriculture and food security.
To mitigate climate change in a rural farming setup, rural women farmers are empowered with the knowledge of sustainable farming, without endangering the environment.
In Luanshya district, Rural Women’s Assembly held a sensitization meeting with local farmers on climate change where tree planting was encouraged and cutting down of trees discouraged, saying it is a major cause of climate change in the country. Climate change can be addressed by:
- Adapting to drought resistant crops
- Growing natural crops all year round and
- Planting fast growing seeds such as beans, cowpeas, pumpkin among others.
Rural women’s assembly sensitization program on climate change and indigenous seed planting
Variety seeds showcased during the sensitization by Luanshya Rural Women’s Assembly
For a good crop to come out, it needs to be fed with nutrients.
During the trainings, using Organic manure was encouraged, saying it is manually made using natural ingredients and does not damage the soil.
In Chingola, Rufunsa and Luanshya districts, a practical demonstration on how Bokashi organic manure is made was done.
Bokashi manure making in Luanshya District
Bokashi manure making in Rufunsa District
Bokashi manure making in Chingola District
The “Roots of Resilience” initiative aims to strengthen agricultural systems in climate-vulnerable regions by promoting adaptive practices, enhancing community resilience, and ensuring food security.
The Zambia Rural Women’s Assembly is supplementing to government efforts through training rural women farmers to effectively manage their farms, in an effort to boost resilience and strengthen local food systems.
The 2023/24 agricultural season was devastating on the country’s planting season as a national disaster was declared when a serious drought absorbed the nation.
The Zambia Rural Women’s Assembly held a stakeholder’s workshop in Lusaka, discussing a comprehensive approach to empower farmers, foster sustainable agricultural practices, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Roots of Resilience Stakeholders meeting in Lusaka
The main objectives of the “Roots of Resilience is to
- Enhance Agricultural Resilience:
Equip smallholder farmers with agricultural practices that improve their resilience to climate-related shocks, such as droughts, floods, and pests.
- Increase Crop Productivity:
Achieve a measurable increase in crop yields for participating farmers by promoting sustainable farming techniques and providing access to improved seeds and inputs.
- Empower Rural Women in Agriculture:
Empower and strengthen rural women farmer groups.
- Promote Soil Health
Implement best practices that enhance soil health.
- Raise Community Awareness:
Increase awareness and understanding of climate change impacts and sustainable agriculture practices within local communities, fostering a culture of sustainability and resilience.
- Build Knowledge Networks:
Foster collaboration among farmers, and policymakers to share knowledge and best practices.
The Zambia Rural Women’s Assembly in their districts are using various channels of communication such as media houses in informing, sensitizing and educating the masses on the importance of indigenous seeds, climate change, gender based violence (GBV) among other issues.
After the workshop, the team visited the University of Zambia and sought more information on how seeds can be managed and the importance of planting indigenous seeds.
Seed study at the University of Zambia
Chicken rearing offers numerous benefits for rural women farmers living in a rural setup. It is another form of agriculture called livestock agriculture.
Chickens provide a sustainable source of food, including eggs, and meat.
As a way of empowerment, women are given the knowledge on how they can rear chickens using locally generated methods.
Organic chicken farming is an approach emphasizing natural feed, no antibiotics, and caring to the chickens.
Village chicken rearing in the community
Climate risk cannot be reduced to zero, hence a call on the Zambian government to take decisive action to help rural farmers manage and fight it through combined efforts.
