Women adopt Agroforestry to combat climate change

A tree nursery at PORET Centre in Chimanimani. Women like Rebecca Chimimba (32) have been trained in agroforestry to help them fight prolonged droughts and climate change for sustainable livelihoods. PORET Trust, a member of PELUM Zimbabwe is promoting water harvesting and land regeneration through agroforestry (Photo: PELUM Zimbabwe)

Women in Chaseyama, Chimanimani district in Manicaland Province are unlocking the potential of agroforestry to combat climate change, a scourge that is threatening to wipe out their sources of livelihood.

Rebecca Chimimba (32), one of the young women farmers who has adopted agroforestry says she was prompted by the adverse effects of climate change in her community, particularly the drying up of water sources immediately after the rain season.

“I started practicing agroforestry after our community began having water challenges because of climate change. We are thankful to Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training (PORET) for availing the training that helped us to better understand the concepts of agroforestry. In 2017 PORET came in and trained 32 women in Chaseyama on agroforestry,” says Rebecca.

Blessing Chamudondo (51) the Programme Manager at PORET Trust says it was the water availability challenges in Chaseyama that prompted PORET to capacitate the women on agroforestry.

“These women are gradually taking up the agroforestry and PORET has been giving technical advice to enable them to be successful in their endeavors,” says Blessing.

Rebecca, who was among the 32 women who received the training says she is not only practicing Agroforestry but she is also teaching agroecology to other community members of her community who did not participate in the training.

“I have been practicing agroforestry ever since we participated in the training. Other community members are also learning from me,” says Rebecca.

Patricia Mazungunye (39), another woman who participated in the training says ever since the women started practicing agroforestry, the water situation has improved.

“Our water situation improved after we had been trained on agroforestry by PORET,” says Patricia.

She says adopting agroforestry has boosted nutritional security in her household.

“I feel that as women this has helped us because now we are empowered. I have a garden where I planted diverse fruit trees and vegetables. This sustains our nutritional needs,” says Patricia.

Rebecca also says she hopes that through more capacity training and increased uptake of agroforestry, her community will eventually avert the challenges brought about by climate change.