Climate and weather changes are increasing in Zambia, pushing or locking rural households especially smallholder rural farmers into poverty. Climate change and variability are therefore important contributors to the high poverty incidence in Zambia meaning that rural farmers are particularly exposed to climate change effects. Because rural households are not all the same, it is important to understand the extent to which different groups are exposed to and vulnerable to climate shocks. The Rural Women’s Assembly located in various districts of Zambia have been having meetings and practically addressing issues of climate change and the importance of indigenous seed banking.
In Shibuyunji district, RWA members also known as the Kapyanga women’s association did a program supported by the Feminist for Alternatives on Climate and Environment (FACE) project on indigenous vegetable climate healthy diet.Agness Mweemba from the Kapyanga women’s association said as part of group 2, the climate heatlhy diet has taught her how to grow eggplants, beans and cassava.
“I am glad that I’m benefitting from the climate healthy diet and this garden, we will plant various types of seed. We will plant beans, eggplants and cassava,” sister Agness said
Anna Mutale Katongo is part of the Kapyanga women’s association. She said with the funds received from the FACE project, they are able to buy seeds for planting and selling their produce.
“FACE project organization has empowered us with some money that we will use to plant seeds under the theme Indigenous Vegetable Climate Healthy Diet” sister Anna said.
Radio programs were also held at Mazabuka radio station discussing agro-ecology farming and mindset change in times of climate change. To mitigate climate change, options such as using maize cobs instead of cutting down trees for charcoal have been encouraged by the RWA Zambia Chapter hence joining hands with rural farmers and other supporting partners.
In Luano, Kamunkoyo farm block, RWA members shared the importance of keeping indigenous seeds and combating climate change.
Dorothy Mugala explained how RWA has helped her understand the importance of keeping indigenous seeds.
“I live in Kamunkoyo area and I represent the RWA members here. We grow indigenous seeds and through the Rural women’s assembly, we have learnt how to preserve and grow these indigenous seeds. Here we have displayed various seeds which are good for consumption, keeping and for medicinal purposes,” she explained
“Our parents used to grow indigenous seeds way back and kept them for future use. This is why the RWA is urging us to continue keeping these seeds for the future generation” she indicated.
She also emphasized on the need of planting more trees as a way to fight climate change.
“Because climate change has become a big issue in our country, people should avoid to cut down trees and instead start to plant trees as taught by RWA. We should turn from cutting down trees for charcoal to start using dry maize cobs for cooking,” she said.
Dorothy Mugala also grows Green Leafy vegetables using organic manure. The country this year experienced a good rainfall pattern.Speaking to Annie Mutale of Kamunkoyo rural women farmers she testified to this.She said being a widow has given her strength to work hard and sustain herself.
“Last year we did not have enough rainfall but this year we had enough rains. I am a widow, my husband died 8 years ago but I have continued to stay here and I am able to sustain myself through farming. Its’ in farming that I even send my children to school so I am very thankful,” she stated.
Omela Lunda is also a RWA member of the Kamunkoyo farming block and she indicated some medicinal benefits of some crops.
“These crops you are seeing here not only for consumption, but can be used to treat sickness such as Diabetes. The red maize if milled and taken as food can lower the blood sugar levels.”
“Cassava is also good for the body if mixed with maize meal and for the sweet potatoes, when you peel them, the peels can be dried and used to make a local drink known as munkoyo,” said Omela
