Critical for Food and Nutrition Security, but Controversial

PELUM Zambia Networking for a Greener Africa Farmer Managed Seed System: - Critical for Food and Nutrition Security, but Controversial

Farmer Field School – A “School Without Walls”

Reducing Rural Poverty through Farmer-To-Farmer Exchange

Youths in Agriculture and Agro Ecol- ogy, a Solution to Climate Change in Zambia

Road to 2030: Rural Women’s Agro- Ecology Empowerment in the Driver’s Seat

Effects of Climate Change on Food Security in Zambia

December, 2019 - Issue 2, Volume 1 2 Farmer Managed Seed System - Critical for Food and Nutrition Security, but Controversial

By Misheck Nyirongo in Chilanga

Chilanga Member of Parliament Honourable, Maria Langa admiring some forestry based products at the farmers’ exhibition stands during the Zambian Traditional Seed and Food Festival in Chilanga, organised by PELUM -Zambia SEED is a foundation of plant life. It is a These small-scale farmers produce mainly hope of regeneration and development maize and other staple food crops such as of controlled and uncontrolled vegeta- cassava, sorghum, millet, groundnuts, tion. In agriculture farmers, especially beans, cowpeas and traditional vegetables. those mainly engaged in crop production, And selecting, saving and developing seed, value and conserve seed for continuity of a they look for features such as early maturing, particular crop. drought tolerance, good tasting, and others that serve cultural purposes. African farming systems are based on smallholder farmers re-planting and exchanging To meet our food and livelihood needs of the seeds saved from the previous harvest. This future, our governments need to farmer-managed seed system is an age old acknowledge, support and protect farmer practice dating back to the time when our an- managed seed systems. cestors first began farming. In this context, Participatory Ecology and It provides more than 80 percent of the seed Land Use Management (PELUM) Zambia used in producing food for hundreds of millions held the first ever Zambian Traditional seed of Africans on the continent. In Southern Afri- and food festival recently, where farmers ca, for example, small-scale farmers obtain from around the country exhibited their differ- only about 10 percent of the seed that they ent traditional cuisine as well as seeds, in use from the formal/commercial sector. line with the theme: ‘Celebrating Tradition- al Seed and Food for Good Health.’ Sharing, exchanging and enhancing seed by smallholder farmers has resulted in a huge di- The participating organisations, small-scale versity of seed and crops. Diversity is very im- farmers and individuals brought along the portant to help farmers adapt to changes in the traditional seeds and foods that they con- climate, such as prolonged droughts. It also sume in their respective areas in order to provides balanced nutrition for people and ani- raise awareness on the contribution seed mals and feeds the soil. Smallholder farmers and food make towards national food and are the largest group of seed breeders through nutrition security aligned to Sustainable De- the ages. velopment Goals (SDGs). 3

The small-scale farmers, during the first ever Zambian Traditional Seed and Food Festival, organised by PELUM Zambia held at Munda - Wanga Wildlife and Botanical Garden, in Chilanga, Zambia. Agricultural experts, small-scale farmers and “The young generation can’t even eat what researchers during the dialogue meeting ar- we ate in the past which was nutritious. gue that, diverse and resilient seed systems They are now moving to already processed are necessary for food security, climate food,” Mr. Justify Shava, the Head for change adaptation and boosting income for SADC – PGRC observed. smallholder farmers, as opposed to the cur- rent system in which many crop varieties are The Climate change poses new challenges patented by large agribusiness companies, to the management of the world’s plant ge- thus decreasing farmers’ autonomy to se- netic resources for food and agriculture. Cli- lect, breed and exchange their own seed va- mate change is expected to make the task rieties. of achieving food security even more chal- lenging, especially in the most vulnerable The first ever Zambian Traditional Seed and parts of the developing world, such as in the Food festival stakeholders’ dialogue focused SADC Region. on the need to improve access to seeds for resource-poor farmers by making them “The issue of climate change is contributing ‘open source’ and therefore easily accessi- to the loss of plant genetic resources for ble. food and agriculture. We lost a lot of seeds and crops during the recently cyclone Idai Mr. Justify Shava, the Head for Southern Af- due to climate change which affected the rica Development Community Plant Genetic farmers in Malawi and Mozambique. Resources Centre (SADC - PGRC) said that the mandate of SPGRC has been to conserve In such cases, our job is ‘to mobilise, con- the plant genetic resources of the region serve and make available plant genetic re- through a network of National Plant Genetic sources using appropriate technologies and Resources Centres (NPGRCs) thereby contrib- standards, thereby contributing to sustaina- uting to the well being of people of the region. ble development, environment and food se- SADC - PGRC is conscious of the accelerated curity for the well being of the people in the rate of disappearance of plant genetic re- SADC region”, Mr. Justify Shava, the sources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) and Head for SADC – PGRC said. associated indigenous knowledge. 3

Mr. Justify Shava, the Head for SADC - Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) making a presentation during the first ever Zambian Traditional Seed and Food Festival .

This is achieved by implementing projects such as community seed banks; where farmers are “We should not look down at our local taught how conserve their own local seeds and food, as inferior,” Honourable Maria Langa foods - “On-farm conservation,” which is the advised. continued cultivation and management of a diverse set of crop populations by farmers in the agro-ecosystems where a crop has evolved or in secondary centres of diversity.

“These seeds are not ours, but for the farmers, the seeds remain a property of the farmers,” Mr. Justify Shava, the Head for SADC – PGRC guaranteed.

Chilanga Member of Parliament Honourable, Maria Langa assured to share to the responsible minister in order to consider creating a specific department in the Ministry of Agri- culture that shall be dealing with small-scale farmers and the local seeds only.

Honourable Maria Langa urged the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) to start preserving and packaging the local seeds Chilanga Member of Parliament Honourable such as Chikanda and Munkoyo to be sold in Maria Langa urged, “Just as we need to pre- supermarkets, as the indigenous foods are serve our local languages, so should we pre- more nutritious and serve as medicinal. serve the local seed and food.”

Women in communities are often responsible for seed management including selection, storage and exchange. The agricultural biodiversity is critical for food In local varieties, farmers practice conscious security in Zambia, where in the rural areas it seed selection. Selecting seed from maize is is based on small-scale agricultural produc- done by selecting cobs that look healthy and tion, utilising both improved crop varieties as do not show any insect attack. “When select- well as local varieties. ing pumpkin seed,” Timale Mtonga started to explain, “This is based on the taste of the To date, most of Africa’s farmers still rely on pumpkin. For example, if the pumkin is sweet traditional seeds as it is the case of a 65 when cooked and consumed, seed is kept for years old woman at Mulida village in Chief planting in the next season.” Magodi, Lundazi district, Eastern Province, about 900 kilometres away from Lusaka, the “For groundnuts, we select the big nuts for capital city of Zambia. planting while the small nuts are used for cooking. Bambara nut are left unshelled to “As you can see, I’m selecting the local prevent pest attack and shelled when it’s time groundnuts seeds varieties saved from the to plant,” Timale Mtonga shared the wisdom. previous harvest. Access to local varieties is also limited due to inadequate local seed The traditional knowledge has also estab- availability. As a result, many of our communi- lished that, different parts of the maize cob ties are faced with constraints of accessing are used for different purposes. The seed both types of seed,” Timale Mtonga be- form the tip of the maize cob is used for early moaned. maturity, the middle part is used on the medi- um maturity and the bottom is used for the “This is made worse because very few farm- late maturity. ers access improved seed varieties from government through Farmers Input Support Pro- Although the farmers’ rights consist of the gramme (FISP), and buying, it’s expensive.” customary rights of farmers to save, use, exchange and sell farm-saved seed and propa- “I use the traditional seed preservation meth- gating material, their rights are not recog- ods such as ash or cow dung, are still preva- nized, rewarded and supported for their con- lent among farmers of my age. But knowledge tribution to the global pool of genetic re- about these techniques is dying out slowly - sources as well as to the development of particularly given that more young people are commercial varieties of plants, and to partici- migrating to urban centers,” she said. pate in decision making on issues related to crop genetic resources. 6

Zambia Alliance for Agro-ecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB), Project Manager Francisca Davis said, “We really need our local seeds to be recognized.”

The Zambia Alliance for Agro-ecology and “Hybrid seeds cannot be replanted from year to Biodiversity (ZAAB), Project Manager year like traditional seed because they lose Francisca Davis noted, “There is no need their vigour. The seed companies dictate how for certification of the local seeds, as farm- farmers should grow their crops and force ers have the right to control and own the farmers to buy new genetically modified seed local seeds and they can guarantee for each year,” Nawa Silishebo added. themselves; and not private companies who just want to make money.” Nawa Silishebo said that the local crops grow healthier and harmless to the human “When we talk about the certification of the body as synthetic fertilizers and chemicals local seeds, it’s like privatization; the Intel- are optional. All the young Farmers in the lectual Property will be owned by the big project agreed that local maize where better agro-seed companies. This will mean that than the hybrid seeds. our local communities will no longer own the seed, but only by the private seed Small scale farmers are only using the hy- companies,” ZAAB Project Manager, Fran- brid seed because of its commercial value cisca Davis explains, “We really need our and not for consumption, for instance in local seeds to be recognized.” Zambia, the government buys the hybrid white maize through the Food Reserve Young Emerging Farmers Initiative (YEFI), Agency (FRA), and not local maize from the are implementing a project aiming to build farmers. capacity in Zambian young people to become Agents of Change in their communi- It is evident that the most sustainable produc- ty by conserving the natural resources, in- tion system is the use of the local varieties and crease food security and nutrition and in- some improved open pollinated varieties in crease household income in Central prov- combination with tillage system that rely on ince of Zambia thus Mkushi, Serenje and mature to maintain soil fertility such as adop- Chitambo. tion of agro ecology practices and the use of a diverse number of crops and varieties. YEFI Human Resource and Outreach Di- rector, Nawa Silishebo said, “Local seeds Unless countries in the SADC Region, officially allow a farmer to keep or reserve some recognise Farmers Managed Seed System seeds for replant in the next season. This and provide policy and legislative support in reduces the cost of production as there is order to protect the farmers rights , the Interna- no need to buy seeds.” tional Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), will remain a semi-theoretical instrument in a conduit pipe. 7

Youths in Agriculture and Agro Ecology, a Solution to Climate Change in Zambia By Misheck Nyirongo

AGRICULTURE is important to our econo- Ms. Vanessa Samba said, “Honesty, we my and its growth, however; global chal- need to find ways to make organic farming lenges such as climate change pose a se- manageable for commercial farmers to con- rious threat to this industry in particular; trol pests on a large scale in order to pro- as witnessed in the last farming season. duce high quality nutritious food that is appealing to the eye and healthy to the gut.” This calls for diversity and adaptation in our farming methods to ensure we provide food Ms. Vanessa Samba said that, as a youth security for our growing population. A method led organization (Positive Hearts Founda- worth exploring is Agro ecology, it is an eco- tion) has a ‘Good Nutrition for All’ project, friendly farming technique that actually in- although currently facing irrigation challeng- creases yield with good resilience to climate es, a project focuses on providing free seed- change. lings and manure to community gardens in places of need such as health facilities, cor- Unfortunately not much is being done to take rectional facilities and schools. full advantage of this method, as little knowledge is known or put to use and there “The seedlings are accessible to members is an inadequate dissemination of this infor- of the community with special support going mation especially in the rural areas where to woman headed homes and vulnerable small scale farmers have no access to the homes to improve access to good nutrition internet and latest information. because good nutrition is a possible solution to the many ailments and birth defects we In this context, Positive Hearts Foundation suffer today,” Ms. Vanessa Samba. Founder and Executive Director, Vanessa Samba said, “We need more exposure to Ms. Vanessa Samba appealed, “Positive agro ecology and its benefits to the environ- Hearts Foundation is welcoming partner- ment and our food basket,” ships and collaborations in various causes I’m calling upon the government of the Re- and humanitarian activities that fall within public of Zambia through the Ministry of Agri- our strategic objectives.” culture and CSOs to merge our efforts in miti- gating the effects of climate change through Ms. Vanessa Samba noted that, currently, trainings/workshops and making available the Zambia has the largest population of young resources,” Founder and Executive Director, people in its history, people between the age Vanessa Samba added. of 15-24 make up 36.7 %. Ms. Vanessa Samba said, “The people below 8 the age of 15 and 18 account for 45.5% of our total population, that’s a vibrant and energetic populous we should be putting to use in production.” “I have discovered and you may agree with me, a white collar job is more appealing and perhaps prestigious while farming is perceived as the “uneducated man’s job” by our young folk and tag farming as an retirement plan for the older citizens, which should not be the case,” Ms. Vanessa Samba observed.

“For youth in agriculture and aspiring agri tycoons such as myself, Maanda Sianga and Gift Mkwashi to mention but a few, our dreams are far-fetched as we lack technical and financial support,” Ms. Vanessa Samba “Agriculture could be a more lucrative venture disclosed. and attractive to young people ….”

“We have in place powerful business plans and are currently running start-ups in “We find it difficult to acquire adequate land, agriculture and livestock, yet we lack scale up it worries us to see more and more foreign capital, that would enable us explore modern investors flocking to purchase/ lease land in farming technologies, irrigation equipment our country when we can’t afford a basic 25 and other machinery that could maximize our meters by 25 meters plot,” Ms. Vanessa production and allow us to cultivate a Samba lamented. significant piece of Zambia’s 42 million hectares,” Ms. Vanessa Samba said. It is obvious that with holistic empowerment, the young people are able to improve agri- Ms. Vanessa Samba spoke to youths to cultural production and efficiency, focusing express their views such as, “Agriculture on livestock development - poultry, piggery; could be a more lucrative venture and fish farming and vegetables growing by de- attractive to young people if farming veloping agricultural infrastructure, and the equipment and other supplies were not taxed, capacity building of potential young farmers because many times the framers cost of in order to ensure food and nutrition security, production remains high while the value of his income generation, creation of employment produce is easily affected by climate change for poverty reduction. and unfair market prices.”

“Although we are not afraid to take risks as youths, farming with so little to no capital makes is one of the riskiest venture for any young person trying to make it their career or simply earn a living,” Ms. Vanessa Samba added.

Ms. Vanessa Samba further said that, youths lack favourable access to funding; financial institutions equally make it difficult for the youths to access loans that they could use to scale up on their investments in agribusiness, not only are the interest rates on loans high, things like security/ collateral and their age, Positive Hearts Foundation-Founder and work against them. Executive Director, Vanessa Samba PELUM Zambia, wishes all its member organisations and

partners, a Prosperous Networking Year, 2020 for a Greener Africa.

PELUM Zambia Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Annex Building, P.O BOX 30443, Lusaka, Zambia, Southern Africa. Mobile Phone: +260-977 700034 10 Farmer Field School - a “School Without Walls”

By Misheck Nyirongo in Lundazi

Farmers ‘learn-by-doing’ i.e. they carry out for themselves the various activities related to the particular farming/forestry practice they want to study and learn about.

Many extension education approaches have It is a participatory approach to extension, been tried in Eastern and Southern Africa whereby farmers are given opportunity to with varying degrees of success. Extension make a choice in the methods of produc- approaches that contribute to the reduction tion through discovery based approach. of poverty in this region are needed. “A Field School is a Group Extension One important model right now is Farmer Field Method based on adult education meth- Schools (FFS), based on adult education princi- ods. It is a “school without walls” that ples such as experiential learning. Farmer field teaches basic agro-ecology and manage- schools are usually an intensive, season-long ment skills that make farmers experts in program where farmers meet weekly to learn their own farms,” Mthilakubili Sustainable and experiment on a given topic. Agriculture Project, Coordinator Robert Daka said. This article explores the FFS philosophy and experiences of applying FFS methodology that Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture Project in- Robert Daka said, “FFS aims to increase corporated into various sustainable agriculture the capacity of groups of farmers to test systems, including agricultural extension and new technologies in their own fields, as- research. It gives practical examples how FFS sess results and their relevance to their is an alternative to existing extension systems particular circumstances, and interact on a in Lumezi District, Eastern province of Zambia, more demand driven basis with the re- Southern Africa. searchers and extensionist looking to these for help where they are unable to FARMER Field Schools (FFS) is described as a solve a specific problem amongst them- Platform and “School Without Walls” for im- selves.” proving decision making capacity of farming communities and stimulating local innovation for sustainable agriculture. 11 Thus FFS as an extension methodology is a dy- Principles of Farmer Field Schools namic process that is practiced and controlled by In the field school, emphasisVolume 1, Issue is 1 laid on the farmers to transform their observations to cre- growing crops or raising livestock with the ate a more scientific understanding of the crop / least disruption on the agro-ecosystem. livestock agro-ecosystem. A field school therefore The training methodology is based on is a process and not a goal. learning by doing, through discovery, com- Objectives of Field Schools parison and a non-hierarchical relationship among the learners and trainers and is Broad Objectives carried out almost entirely in the field. To bring farmers together to carry out collective and collaborative inquiry with the purpose of initiat- The four major principles within the ing community action in solving community prob- FFS process are: lems  Grow a healthy crop  Observe fields regularly Specific Objectives  Conserve natural enemies of crop pests  To empower farmers with knowledge and  Farmers understand ecology and be- skills to make them experts in their own fields. come experts in their own field  To sharpen the farmers’ ability to make critical and informed decisions that renders their Characteristics of the Farmer Field farming profitable and sustainable. School Approach Farmers as Experts:  To sensitize farmers in new ways of thinking and problem solving. Farmers ‘learn-by-doing’ i.e. they carry out  Help farmers learn how to organize them- for themselves the various activities relat- selves and their communities. ed to the particular farming/forestry practice they want to study and learn about. FFS also contribute to the following objective: This could be related to annual crops, or  Shorten the time it takes to get research re- livestock/fodder production. The key thing sults from the stations to adoption in farmers’ is that farmers conduct their own field field by involving farmers’ experimentation early in the technology development process. studies.

 Enhance the capacity of extension staff, working in collaboration with researchers, to serve as facilitators of farmers’ experiential learning. Rather than prescribing blanket rec- ommendation that cover a wide geographic area but may not be relevant to all farms within it, the methods train extensionist and researchers to work with farmers in testing, assessing and adapting a variety of options within their specific local conditions.

 Increase the expertise of farmers to make informed decisions on what works best for them, based on their own observations of experimental plots in their Field schools and to explain their reasoning. No matter how good the researchers and extensions, recom- mendations must be tailored and adapted to local conditions, for which local expertise and involvement is required that only farmers themselves can supply.

 Establish coherent farmer groups that facili- tate the work of research and extension “The training methodology is based on workers, providing the demand of a demand learning by doing,…..” driven system. 12 A plant health clinic in Lumezi district: 1200 farmers brought plant samples for diagnosis and various advises given and 40 plant clinic sessions were conducted during the Farmer Field School lessons .

Their training is based on comparison studies Presentations during group meetings are (of different treatments) and field studies that the work of the farmers not the extension they, not the extension/research staff conduct. worker, with the members of each working In so doing they become experts on the particu- group assuming responsibility for present- lar practice they are investigating. ing their findings in turn to their fellow farmers. The Field is the Learning Place. All learning is based in the field. The maize field, banana The extension worker may take part in the plantation, or grazing area is where farmers subsequent discussion sessions but as a learn. contributor, rather than leaders, in arriving at an agreed consensus on what action Working in small subgroups they collect data in needs to be taken at that time. the field, analyze the data, make action decisions based on the analyses of the data, and Scientists/Subject Matter Specialists present their decisions to the other farmers in Work with Rather than Lecture Farm- the field school for discussion, questioning and ers: The role of scientists and subject refinement. matter specialists is to provide backstop- ping support to the members of the FFS Extension Workers, as Facilitators Not and in so doing to learn to work in a con- Teachers: The role of the extension worker sultative capacity with farmers. is very much that of a facilitator rather than a conventional teacher. Instead of lecturing farmers their role is that of colleagues and advisers who can Once the farmers know what it is they have to be consulted for advice on solving specific do, and what it is that they can observe in the problems, and who can serve as a source field, the extension worker takes a back seat of new ideas and/or information on locally role, only offering help and guidance when unknown technologies. asked to do so. 13 The Curriculum is integrated. The curriculum These materials are always consistent is integrated. Crop husbandry, animal husbandry, with local conditions, are less expensive horticulture, land husbandry are considered to- to develop, are controlled by the learners gether with ecology, economics, sociology and and can thus be discussed by the learn- education to form a holistic approach. Problems ers with others. confronted in the field are the integrating principle. Learners know the meaning of the materi- Training Follows the Seasonal Cycle. Training als because they have created the materi- is related to the seasonal cycle of the practice be- als. Even illiterate farmers can prepare ing investigated. and fuse simple diagrams to illustrate the points they want to make. For annual crops this would extend from land preparation to harvesting. For fodder production Group Dynamics/Team Building. Train- would include the dry season to evaluate the ing includes communication skills build- quantity and quality at a time of year when live- ing, problem solving, and leadership and stock feeds are commonly in short supply. discussion methods. Farmers require these skills. Successful activities at the For tree production, and conservation measures community level require that farmers can such as hedgerows and grass strips, training apply effective leadership skills and have would need to continue over several years for the ability to communicate their findings to farmers to see for themselves the full range of others. costs and benefits. Farmer Field Schools are conducted for Regular Group Meetings: the purpose of creating a learning envi- Farmers meet at agreed regular intervals. For an- ronment in which farmers can master and nual crops such meetings may be every 1 or 2 apply specific land management skills. weeks during the cropping season. The emphasis is on empowering farmers to implement their own decisions in their For other farm/forestry management practices the own fields. time between each meeting would depend on what specific activities need to be done, or be re- The article concludes that FFS are not an lated to critical periods of the year when there are alternative to existing systems, but that key issues to observe and discuss in the field. certain principles of FFS could be picked up and incorporated into various systems, Learning Materials are Learner Generated. including agricultural extension, research, Farmers generate their own learning materials, and even health, to make them more ef- from drawings of what they observe, to the field fective at reaching small and marginalized trials themselves. farmers and in alleviating poverty and food insecurity.

“Farmer Field School (FFS) is a forum where farmers and trainers debate observations, apply their previous experiences and present new information from outside the community”, Robert Daka explains. 14

Reducing Rural Poverty through Farmer-To-Farmer Exchange

By Misheck Nyirongo in Lundazi

FIVE hundred millions farms worldwide provide most of PELUM Zambia supports farmer-to-farmer knowledge the food consumed in the developing world, such as exchange to help small producers fulfil their potential Zambia. However, farmers, in particular smallholders, and accelerate progress towards a world free from are frequently marginalized from decision-making pro- poverty and hunger. cesses, depend on agriculture and lack access to markets, services, technologies and economic opportunities. “The farmer to farmer exchange visit can help small- scale farmers, if they see what other farmers are do- This hinders their economic potential, perpetrating low ing. Small-scale farmers can improve their agriculture productivity, poverty and hunger. Farmer to farmer ex- practices, if they learn from each other,” PELUM Zam- changes can improve small producers’ organizational bia Country Coordinator, Muketoi Wamunyima ex- and technical capacities, increasing their productivity plained. and reducing rural poverty. Chimwemwe Women’s Club at Mulida village in Ma- This is an important component for Participatory Ecology godi chiefdom of Chasefu district was earmarked for and Land Use Management (PELUM) Zambia, which sharing good practices and experiences through seeks to empower rural small-scale farmers to access farmer to- farmer exchanges that is crucial to improv- markets, technologies, information and services while ing organizational and communities’ capacities, man- achieving sustainable management of natural resources. aging agro-business resources and promoting small- Exchange visits are key for sharing knowledge, experi- scale farmers’ access to markets linkages opportuni- ence and good practices among small-scale farmers ties. from different communities and organisations involved in the sustainable agriculture programmes. Chimwemwe Women’s Club’s small ruminant livestock contributes significantly to economic life in the On 28th to 29th October, 2019, Mthilakubili Sustainable community and are crucial to sustaining rural liveli- Agriculture project in Lumezi district, Eastern Province hoods in the eastern areas of the country at large. hosted small-scale farmers from Southern Province as part of the farmer-to-farmer exchange visit organized by Women’s increased integration into agricultural value PELUM Zambia. Small farmers from Southern Province chains is critical for Zambia’s continued transfor- met with small-scale farmers of Eastern province to im- mation in rural communities. A central element of this prove their capacities in sustainable agricultural inter- transformation is the economic empowerment of ventions. women through improved productivity and increased participation in entrepreneurship and higher value-add As the ‘learning centres’ beyond facilitating the ex- activities in agriculture. change of ideas, two women’s clubs under Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project were identified during the Chalimbana Women’s Club under Mthilakubili Sus- exchange visit to make it possible for the small-scale tainable Agriculture project in Chief Zumwanda’s area farmers to “See” concrete examples and understand the is also demonstrating this value-addition activities in advantage of subsequently adapting these practices and agriculture through their Cooking Oil process agro- applying them to their own circumstances. business venture. 15 Volume 1, Issue 1

Right - PELUM Zambia Board Chairperson John Zulu, (Middle) PELUM Zambia Country Coordinator Muketoi Wamunyima and (Left) Hantambo Women’s Organisation Coordinator, Tamar Simuyambala listening to the discussions during the exchange visit at Mulida Village, Chasefu District, Eastern province.

The small-scale farmers from Southern Province, as part PELUM Zambia Country Coordinator, Muketoi of the farmer-to-farmer exchange visit learnt how the Wamunyima said that’s the reason why PELUM - women are running their cooking oil processing venture, Zambia through the member organisations like, Mthil- although they have their challenges such as packaging akubili Sustainable Agriculture project, Hantambo materials, inadequate access to market and market infor- Women organisations and Caritas Zambia would con- mation, insufficient financial recording keeping skills and tinue to promote farmer-to-farmer exchanges visit as a lack of finances to expand their business. way to empower small-scale farmers and reduce rural poverty. During the feedback session meeting with farmers, PE- LUM Zambia Country Coordinator, Muketoi Wamunyima Farmer-to-farmer Exchange visits are highly enriching said, “We thought of getting the small-scale farmers from experiences, both at the professional and personal Southern Province, because the last season, they expe- levels. They enable those who take part to witness rienced erratic rains which affected harvest. Maybe if other situations and help to open up people’s minds to they go to Lundazi district, were small-scale farmers are different ways of tackling problems. practising diversified agriculture, such as doing agri- businesses, as we have seen; the small-scale farmers The strength of this Farmer-to-farmer Exchange meth- from Southern province can learn something.” od lies in the fact that it is based on direct knowledge exchange among small-scale farmers from different “If we mobilise funds, we shall also get farmers from communities involved in the same agriculture produc- Eastern province to go to Southern province to improve tive activities. While constraints to agriculture develop- their knowledge and practices and their organizations, ment can be culturally and geographically specific, and to integrate the experience gained from the farmer to many of the challenges that small farmers face are farmers exchange visit into their daily lives,” PELUM similar. Zambia Country Coordinator, Muketoi Wamunyima said.

And the PELUM Zambia Board Chairperson, John Mtha- ziko Zulu said, “Farmer-to- farmer exchanges gives a voice to poor people and small farmers in rural areas, who are often neglected by public policies at all levels.”

“These experiences have served as a catalyst for developing proposal mechanisms and actions tailored to small farmers’ needs and aimed at improving their livelihoods in order to reduce rural poverty,” Mr John Mthaziko Zulu.

“Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project is the member organisation, and the role of PELUM Zambia is to help Mthilakubili so that they work effectively as they are directly working with farmers,” PELUM Zambia Country Coordinator, Muketoi Wamunyima said. Participants during the Exchange Visit, set for the field work in Lundazi, Chasefu and Lumezi Districts. 16

Small farmers from Southern Province met with small-scale farmers of Eastern province to improve their capacities in sustainable agricultural interventions.

A small-scale woman farmer, Fadesi Siyang’ama from During the deliberations, PELUM Zambia Program Of- Sinazongwe, Southern province shares her practical ficer, Etinala Phiri asked if at all Chimwemwe Women journal of experience in vegetable production. Fadesi Group at Mulida Village use some traditional medicine Siyang’ama said, “I started gardening- growing of vege- to give goats whenever there is a disease identified, as tables, tomatoes, onion by using a watering canny. our fore fathers did. Then Hantambo Women’s Organisation Coordinator, Tamar Simuyambala saw my passion and commitment, The Headman, Farawo Phiri responded that, the goats this prompted the Coordinator to empower me with a are not given any traditional herbal medicines, but treadle pump, which increased the vegetables produc- through the grass and leaves which they eat, as they tion.” are by nature medicinal.

She appreciated that, taking part in exchange visits with This question was prompted when Mthilakubili Sustain- the support from PELUM Zambia, has increased the able Agriculture project Coordinator, Mr Robert Daka knowledge and learnt to diversify the agriculture sys- informed the farmers that, the Foot and Mouth Disease tem, unlike only keeping livestock which is practiced in outbreak in Lundazi, Chasefu and Lumezi districts, did Southern province, and growing sunflower that can be not spare the goats at Mulida village. processed into cooking oil and cake flower which is a by -product, to be used as animal feed. Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project in Lumezi district, Eastern province believes that, empowering And the Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project Co- rural women in agriculture sector, is not only a moral ordinator, Mr Robert Daka expressed happiness for imperative, it is critical for the broader economic suc- considering the organisation as host of this important cess of the country. farmer to farmer exchange visit, as it was not easy to selected among many organisations. The organisation also promotes the participation and productivity of women should have a direct impact on Mr. Robert Daka said, “In terms of capacity develop- improved food security though increased productivity, ment, the exchange visit will offer considerable scope improved quality of life of the rural communities sup- for both women and men farmers.” ported.

Mr. Robert Daka assured that, the exchange visit will The higher household incomes, and increasingly sus- lead to mutual knowledge increase, due to practical tainable livelihoods through broader participation and demonstrations, which make it easier to understand an access to agriculture value chains.. idea or a concept and which stimulate willingness to take action. Through Farmer to Farmer Exchange Visit, equitable participation of women in the agricultural value chains “Involving women too has become a crucial issue – if will offer an important lens for framing the interactions rural agricultural output is to improve it is important that of the various players and sectors that intersect with women can also take part in exchange visits. These agriculture. experiences will provide them with access to knowledge and information, which will gradually give them greater empowerment,” Mr Robert Daka noted. Although Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project 17 17 experiences some financial challenges, the organisa- Volume 1, Issue 1 tion implements the resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, and maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project passionate- ly acts to end poverty through programmes to empower poor rural women economically, give them a voice, strengthen social services and increase awareness of women’s rights.

In conclusion, these are good reasons to believe that gender equality contributes to growth and poverty reduction. Therefore with increased financial support, Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture Project will be Fadesi Siyang’ama from Sinazongwe, a ‘Match Box’ in a filling station to ignite bold and im- Southern province sharing her practical journal pact innovative ideas that can accelerate the economic empowerment of poor people, especial women of experience in vegetables production. in agricultural value chain. PELUM Zambia Speaks to Sustainable Development Goals, for a Greener Africa 18 Effects of Climate Change on Food Security in Zambia

CLIMATE CHANGE is real and has im- Climate change will affect all four For instance, Lundazi, Chasefu pact on the country’s natural resources dimensions of food security: food and Lumezi Districts in Eastern such as water, land and ecology as well availability, food accessibility, food province, has a very high rate of as adverse effects on the - agriculture utilization and food systems stabil- stunting at 46%, meaning that and food security, wildlife, forestry, and ity. 46% of the under five children are energy and human health in Zambia. stunted. Most poor rural households are highly It will have an impact on human vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate health, livelihood assets, food pro- Malnutrition and associated indi- change, such as floods due to duction and distribution channels, cators are highest in rural areas widespread poverty, low levels of human as well as changing purchasing with variations among geopolitical and physical capital, poor infrastructure, power and market flows. Its impacts boundaries or provinces. It is dependence on agriculture, and expected will be both short term, resulting clear that climate change nega- severe climatic changes. from more frequent and more in- tive impacts will continue to be tense extreme weather events, and felt hardest by the poorest in rural The effects of climate change, if it goes long term, caused by changing tem- areas that depend on agriculture uncheck, can translate into a national peratures and precipitation pat- for their livelihoods. With a poor disaster and therefore affect the country’s terns. performing agriculture as a result economic growth, infrastructure and rural of climate change, the number of livelihoods that mainly depend on natural The Intergovernmental Panel on malnourished children will in- resources. For example, heavy rainfall Climate Change (IPCC) by 2020 crease and so will the number of has driven flash and riverine flooding in indicates that, up to 250 million Afri- stunted children. Zambia, including in areas previously cans are likely to suffer from food impacted by severe drought. insecurity as a result of climate- The Inter-Governmental Panel on driven crop failure, loss of livestock, Climate Change (IPCC) in their Gwembe and Siavonga districts in the and a lack of water. Together, vulnerability assessment reports south are amongst the hardest-hit by the these changes have already been have consistently reported the recent rains, while Mambwe and Lumezi linked to rising food prices, reduced vulnerability of agriculture to cli- districts in the east, as well as the coun- food security, and increased malnu- mate change observing the varia- try’s capital, Lusaka, faced flash floods trition - three trends that show little bility of impacts in different re- earlier in January. Zambia is expected to signs of slowing. gions while stating that the devel- experience heavy rains in the coming oping countries especially in Afri- days, with potential for flash floods in Mu- According to the UN-SG HLP-GS ca would be disproportionately. fumbwe, Kasempa, Kabwe, Lusaka, (2012), the number of undernour- Siavonga, Gwembe and Chipata districts. ished people in developing coun- People who are already vulnera- tries increased by about 20 million ble and food insecure are likely to The flooding has destroyed crops, includ- between 2000 and 2008 with pro- be the first affected. Agriculture- ing maize, especially in Munyumbwe area jected demand for food expected to based livelihood systems that are in Gwembe District, according to the Gov- rise by 70% by 2050. This is already vulnerable to food inse- ernment’s Disaster Management and Mit- against a declining agricultural curity face immediate risk of in- igation Unit (DMMU). productivity due to many factors but creased crop failure, new pat- including climate change. terns of pests and diseases, lack Some bridges have been submerged in of appropriate seeds and planting the same area, hampering access. The majority of the Zambian popu- material, and loss of livestock. Gwembe District was already facing lation lives in rural areas and de- The Zambia National Adaptation Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food pends almost entirely on agriculture Programme of Action confirms insecurity due to the worst drought the for their livelihoods. Zambia has a that climate change-induced dis- country has seen since 1981. Last year, high percentage of children that are asters will increase the burden on the district recorded a 98 per cent reduc- suffering from malnutrition estimat- women who are already vulnera- tion in maize production, compared to ed at 45% in 2003-2005 (FAO, ble and comprise 60% of small- 2018 and the five-year average. 2010). scale farmers. 19

The Zambian Republican President - Edgar Lungu checks on the flood situation in Eastern Province.

Earlier this month, heavy rains left the Humanitarian organizations were Mr. Mbewe said the amount of rain- Chipata Level One Hospital, complete- already providing life-saving assis- fall so far has made people to really flooded, leading to the evacuation of tance due to drought in some of ise that they cannot continue culti- some patients. In Mambwe District, the areas affected by the floods, vating their crops in this part of the Eastern Province, nearly 300 families especially in southern and west- area. The Headman lamented that were displaced by floods in the first ern Zambia. his people had never experienced week of January, according to DMMU this kind of rainfall since 2007. media reports, with Malambo constitu- President Edgar Lungu checked ency especially affected. on the flood situation in Eastern And, Disaster Management and Province. The President started Mitigation Unit -DMMU- National In neighbouring Lumezi District, by checking on the affected maize Co-ordinator Chanda Kabwe said around 60 families had to leave their fields in Chasefu constituency the distribution of relief food has houses. And Lundazi bridge was where he interacted with the af- started in the area. showed away on 13th February, 2020 fected farmers. around 16:30 hours, cutting off the Mr. Kabwe told journalists that his district from the rest of the country, During the interaction President officers have been instructed to due to heavy rains. Lungu appealed to the affected ensure that all the affected families people to start cultivating their are assisted. He said the DMMU fields on higher land as opposed will continue monitoring the situa- The torrential rainfall and flooding to conducting their farming near tion in the area. could aggravate the already fragile river. The head of state also as- food insecurity situation in Zambia. sured the people that government With this clear evidence of effects Before the floods, more than 2.3 mil- has sourced enough food for eve- of climate change been experi- lion people were expected to be se- ryone. enced in Zambia, it is necessary to verely food insecure during the rainy strengthen the resilience of rural season (October 2019 – March 2020), And in response village Headman people and to help them cope with with at least 430,000 of them in Emer- Laston Mbewe said the people in this additional threat to food securi- gency (IPC 4). the area are willing to relocate to ty. the higher ground during the next The situation could deteriorate in the farming season. days ahead, with Zambia expected to experience heavy rains, according to the country’s Meteorological Depart- ment, with the potential for flash floods in Mufumbwe, Kasempa, Kabwe, Lu- saka, Siavonga, Gwembe and Chipata districts.

A delegation led by the DMMU, with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of In- frastructure is planning to assess the extent of damage in the affected areas. Since the beginning of January, following the first floods in Mambwe and Lumezi, the DMMU has been dis- tributing food, tents and water treat- ment chemicals for the affected popu- “IPCC by 2020 indicates that, up to 250 million Africans are likely to lation. suffer from food insecurity as a result of climate-driven crop failure….” 20 ROAD to 2030: Rural Women’s Agro-Ecology Empowerment in the Driver’s Seat

By Misheck Nyirongo in Lundazi

WOMEN make significant contribu- Goal 5 is known as the stand- tions every day from bringing an in- “We expect that this goat loan scheme alone gender goal because it is will have a significant impact on house- come to her household as an em- dedicated to achieving these ployed wage earner, to creating jobs holds given the productive potential of ends. the mostly female goats distributed,” as an entrepreneur, to taking care of said during the farmer to farmer ex- her family and elders. However, a In this domain, Mthilakubili Sus- woman farmer, for instance, may not change visit organised by PELUM tainable Agriculture project, acts Zambia. be able to make her crops thrive like to stop hunger by supporting a man can because she doesn’t have rural women’s role in food secu- the same access to seeds, credit, rity, as the cornerstones of food “We are also providing trainings for and technology and extension ser- production and utilization. women farmers and access to infor- vices. mation and agriculture technology, to As part of a mission to rejuve- help rural women achieve significantly In this regard, the 2030 Agenda for nate goat herding among cash- higher agricultural productivity,” Mthil- Sustainable Development is more strapped and food-insecure akubili Sustainable Agriculture, Project ambitious envisaging the eradication rural women, Mthilakubili Sus- Manager Robert Daka said. of poverty, the systematic tackling of tainable Agriculture project dis- climate change and building peace- tributed more than 9 improved “The club stared in 2015 and we were breed goats to Chimwemwe ful, resilient equitable and inclusive given nine goats in 2016. Currently we Women’s Club in Chief Ma- societies. have twenty six goats, (as at 28th Octo- godi’s area, Chasefu District, The 2030 Agenda, unlike the Millen- Eastern province. ber, 2019) and there are 25 members in a club. These goats, if God wills it, is nium Development Goals (MDGs), Mthilakubili Sustainable Agricul- has a stand-alone Goal on gender ture project has recognized that a security to the community if any of equality and the empowerment of more knowledge is needed on our children become sick and we women and girls. successful ways to enhance quickly need money for medication,” women’s resilience in the com- Chimwemwe Women’s Club Chairlady The Sustainable Development Goals munity, and on how to integrate Barbra Zimba said. seek to change the course of the a gender perspective in the re- 21st century, addressing key chal- silience agenda and work. Challenges such as food insecurity, lenges such as poverty, inequality, high levels of poverty, and reduced and violence against women. crop yields affected the families and Mthilakubili Sustainable Agricul- communities. This prompted them to Therefore, rural women’s agro- ture project’s small live- empowerment is a pre-condition for stock program is geared to start a club in order to address these this, which puts rural women back in helping rural women to better problems. the driver’s seat in order to acceler- access economic opportunities “The goats helps us buy shoes for our ate the achievement of the whole and begin the recovery pro- 2030 Agenda. cess”, said Robert Daka, Mthil- children and pay the school fees. The akubili Sustainable Agriculture animals will also help boost the pro- Aware that rural women have a criti- project coordinator. duction of milk, consumed traditionally cal role to play in all of the SDGs, by children and lactating women, and with many targets specifically recog- after goats are grown, meat for domes- nizing women’s equality and empow- tic consumption and marketing,” Chim- erment as both the objective, and as part of the solution. wemwe Women’s Club Chairlady ex- plained. Hantambo Women’s Organisa- The21 goats helps us tion Coordinator,Volume 1, Issue 1 Tamar buy shoes for our Simuyambala said that, the club children and pay the should be registered and acquire land from the chief or the head- school fees. men.

However she counseled that, whenever the women club ac- quires land from the village head- person, they must be given a written document for security purposes.

She further advised them to open a bank account, instead of just “After seen their commitment, we gave the women’s club a cooking oil sharing the profits raised from the processing mill at K5,000; as a pass-on gift arrangement” cooking oil processing project, but re-invest the capital in other Barbra Zimba, the chairlady said that it’s They paid K75 each member in business ventures such as the easy to work in a group in order to re- order to raise the required K5,000 grinding mill or but cows for mem- duce poverty and increase food security loan for the cooking oil mill. bers. at household levels and men are supporting them. “We sell our cooking oil to And PELUM Zambia Board Mbwandila – mobile markets and Chairperson, John Mthaziko Zulu “Chimwemwe Women’s Group was first the sunflower cake is shared also shared that, at Caritas- given a 2kgs sunflower seed. They grow among the members which is Chipata Office, they have the the sunflower which was given to the pro- been used as manure,” she said. Savings scheme among the staff ducer group. After we saw their commit- to set an example to more than ment, we decided to give them nine Hantambo Women’s Organisation one thousand the women clubs. goats, as a loan, which when paid back, Coordinator, Tamar Simuyambala we shall identify another group. Initially from Southern Province encour- “The bank saw that women are we had five groups and distributed one aged the women to venture into not banking the money, they are hundred goats,” Mthilakubili Sustainable gardens in order to earn an extra now encouraging the saving Agriculture Project Manager narrated. income. groups to open the bank ac- She said that they should also counts, even without the certifi- Women have a right to equal access to involve men, youths, elder wom- cates,” John Mthaziko Zulu said. all avenues to end poverty, from social en, but the women should be the protection -safety nets to use of the latest majority to promote inclusive and Unless Mthilakubili Sustainable agriculture technology. diversified sustainable food and Agriculture project continues to agriculture systems to help re- champion the empowerment of This is be achieved by agro-empowering duce rural poverty. women through sustainable agri- the rural women with assets such small culture. The achievement of ruminant animals this case, goats as a Women’s lack of rights to land equality between women and pass on gift, to secure rural women’s ownership denies them also user men , placing women’s rights at livelihoods and rights in the context of rights, including the rights to plant the centre of all its efforts, would sustainable development. trees and build soil control be a nightmare. measures. Mthilakubili Sustainable Agriculture project gave the group 2kg beans - which they planted and harvested, provided trainings and thereafter the project gave them a cooking oil process.

“After seen their commitment, we gave the women’s club a cooking oil processing mill at K5,000; as a pass-on gift arrangement, instead of K20,000. When they pay back the K5, 000, we shall buy another cooking oil mill to give the other group,” Mr. Roberty Daka said.

Chalimbana Women’s Club Chairperson, Juliet Nyirenda said, they started doing some group savings because they ad- mired there fellow women from Mthilaku- Hantambo Women’s Organisation Coordinator, Tamar Simuyam- bili Sustainable Agriculture project, bala advising the women clubs to be registered and open up trained them and later empowered them with a cooking oil processing machine. the bank accounts. Media and Communication Consultancy By Misheck Nyirongo C/O GREEN Africa Media Associate Mobile Phone: +26-0976652400 Email: [email protected]