Where: Choma, Zambia
Area of Solutions: Biodiversity and nature-based solutions, Climate adaptation and resilience
Shumei International and Natural Agriculture Development Program Zambia partnered in 2005 to strengthen and support women farmers cooperatives in the southern part of Zambia. The cooperatives engage in Natural Agriculture farming, which reduces greenhouse gases and keeps carbon in the soil. This form of agro-ecology also preserves bio-diversity, empowers women and youth, and increases food security.
The Cooperative started in 2005 with 2000 women farmers and to date the project has grown to over 6000 member farmers with a community outreach of over 20,000 people.
Farmers no longer had to buy hybrid seeds and chemicals and farmers began practicing seed saving in preparation for upcoming farming seasons. This information was shared within the community and among members and a number of seed banks were created. Since chemicals were not used as part of the farming practice, the soil biodiversity increased thus restoring the quality of the soil and the ability for the soil to store carbon. Over the years youth participation has grown substantially and the cooperative has established a technical training center, which provides capacity building. Close to 1,000 youth have participated in these programs.
One obstacle that was faced was a lack of institutional support which caused the cooperatives to reach out to form other partnerships. The transition to Agro-ecology from chemical intensive agriculture was difficult because farmers were dependent on hybrid seed and chemical inputs. To overcome this challenge the project set up a farmer¡¯s train-the-trainer program as well as demonstrations for farmers to receive practical training because, seeing is believing.
Photos provided by Shumei International
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