Reducing Poverty and Deforestation Through Agroforestry and Conservation Agriculture Among Women Self-Help Groups

This project cultivates oil-rich seeds by women’s groups for production of oil and related products. The project addresses climate change while advancing the active leadership and participation of women, also increasing food production and diversifying crops.

Fast facts:

1,738 women from 93 women groups have taken part;
30 villages and 4 schools at project sites affected;
6,789 nitrogen-fixing agroforestry trees planted.

The problem

Zambia’s Eastern Province is one of the country’s major food baskets, and women account for the vast majority of small-scale farmers. But poverty levels and disease rates are high, and food there is often scarce. Rural farmers’ methods have for some time been contributing to land degradation and deforestation. In addition, the widespread use of charcoal for fuel has led to deforestation and pollution.

The solution

This project seeks to establish an oil expeller machine and a machine for making fuel cakes from the oil seeds. Women are given the seeds, then pay back part of their harvest in seeds. The oil expeller helps the women make a more valuable product. Fuel cake produced out of the seeds can be used for more efficient cook stoves, which can be built by the women to provide a ready market for the oil seed sticks. This establishes a competitive price for the seeds, enabling farmers to earn a profit.

Helping the planet

Planting trees improves the soil, fixes atmospheric nitrogen, and promotes recycling of nutrients without the use of chemicals. Use of oil seed cake as fuel can help reduce the use of wood, leading to a reduction in deforestation.

Helping people

The agroforestry project and women self-help group approach have given female participants diversified skills in agriculture, business, and innovation, thus empowering women in the community. More women are economically independent, and have a stronger voice on issues that affect their livelihoods.

The project also increases household incomes, which supports the education of children, especially girls. Greater food production contributes to better food security, allowing families to receive improved nutrition.

Spillover effect

The project will be replicated through planned establishment of a company linked with the civil-society group that is leading this activity, the Kachere Development Programme. The company will link with other companies, increasing access to jobs and also supporting the ongoing work of climate mitigation through small- and medium-sized enterprises among rural women. This will establish the groundwork for rolling out the activities to other areas. Further potential for scaling up is also possible due to positive strides recorded in past implementation.