In Zimbabwe the seasons are changing, with irregular rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures, but the resilience of rural farmers against climate change is shining thanks to an innovative partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Government of Zimbabwe.

With funding from the European Union (EU), the Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP Countries Phase III (ACP MEAs 3) project, piloted 9 Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in three provinces in Zimbabwe aiming to enhance agrobiodiversity and use ecosystem-based agricultural practices to combat climate change while increasing food security and nutrition. These interventions are complimenting the government’s efforts like Pfumvudza/Intwasa, to combat climate change using low input sustainable climate smart agricultural practices.

The best of both worlds

The farmers are integrating science-based and traditional knowledge systems to learn and develop solutions to contemporary challenges of crops and the environment in which they grow. Under the FFS, farmers try new agroecology techniques such as water harvesting and moisture conservation, mulching, intercropping and integrated pest management. To date, the project has trained 200 farmers across the 9 farmer field schools.

“The Farmer Field Schools are farmer driven, and mainly consist of learning by doing through farmer experimentation. Farmers are also trained on identified special topics. The donation of land by different local authorities have made it possible for the farmers to be trained on-site in modern and traditional techniques for integrating biodiversity and adapting to climate change,” said Kudzai Kusena the ACP-MEAs Project coordinator in Zimbabwe. Kusena was speaking at one of the field day events that was held in Makoni district.

At field days farmers and other stakeholders are introduced to improved farming technologies and techniques.  Farmers and people for neighboring villages learn by seeing the performance of improved practices, as well as exchanging experiences, expertise and ideas.

 “The main problems I encounter in agriculture are inherent poor soil fertility and climate change, droughts and high temperatures, as well as high input costs.  To address these challenges we use organic fertilizers and practice agroecology-based conservation agriculture,” said Motshekile Mlalazi, the Tambanevhu FFS Chairperson in Gokwe district.

The Farmer field schools have also provided the farmers with an opportunity to enhance and share their knowledge of traditional farming techniques.

“As farmers, we also encounter challenges of pests and diseases on our crops. Fall Armyworm (FAW) is a major maize pest which we control using locally available remedies developed at the FFS. The remedies include use of sand, and extracts of various plants such as nhundurwa (Solanum indicum) and muchacha found in area,” said Mlalazi.

“The objective of using ecosystem-based local solutions on the management of crop pests and diseases  is to safeguard the health of people and the environment from the risks associated with the use of chemicals,’’ added Agnes Mutsvanga, Agriculture Extension Officer and Tambanevhu FFS Facilitator.

 “In Makoni district, maize is our staple food so we decided to do our tests on different maize varieties, using different agroecological practices including the traditional mulching using leaves, modern mulching using plastic covers and ridging,”

“Each practice had its benefits and disadvantages. However, the big takeaway is that we managed to use the different technologies to revive a piece of land that had for years been condemned. Farmers from across our villages have adopted our techniques and this has resulted in increased productivity and food security in our area,” stated the Chairperson of Chiedza FFS, Garnett Makoni.

Where innovation meets empowerment

The FFS are generating interesting methodological tools that are improving decision-making skills and promoting local innovation for sustainable agriculture.

Speaking in Gokwe at one of the Farmer Field School field days, the Chief Agronomist, Agricultural Rural Development Advisory Services in the in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) Kennedy Mabehla, acknowledged that FFS were playing a role in empowering local communities.

“We have seen from this field day that, there is evidence that the farmer field schools are empowering rural communities by improving the participation of youth and women, enhancing community cohesion improving livelihoods of vulnerable groups and reducing rural poverty,” said Kennedy Mabehla.

 “My vision as the local extension officer is that in the next 5 years every farmer should be practicing organic farming, without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides which are harmful to human and animal health. We envision a situation where the current Tambanevhu FFS group will give birth to many FFS groups so that all farmers can adopt organic farming addressing climate change and producing nutritious and affordable food. I also look forward to all fellow extension officers setting up and facilitating FFSs in all their geographical areas,” said Extension Officer, Agnes Mutsvanga.

Agnes’ vision is in line with FAO’s ultimate vision of the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life - the four betters - leaving no one behind.