Petauke District
The Gender and Climate Justice in Food Systems Project, supported by We Effect and implemented by the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) in collaboration with the Zambia Climate Change Network (ZCCN), focuses on enhancing sustainable livelihoods and promoting gender equity in agriculture. Below is a summary of activities carried out in Petauke District:
1. Engagement with Local Leadership and Stakeholders
Courtesy visits were made to traditional leader Chieftainess Mwanjawanthu, District Administrative Officers (DC, DAO, DACO and SAO) and other key stakeholders to introduce the project and secure their support. The outcome of this activity ensured a strong collaboration and community buy-in for the project activities, ensuring smooth implementation.
2. Training of Farmers on Sustainable Agriculture Practices
50 farmers from Kasusu Camp were trained covering topics on soil and water conservation, agroforestry, compost and tea manure, factors affecting soil organic matter, and agroecological methods to improve productivity and ensure environmental sustainability.
3. Purchase and Distribution of Local Seeds
Local indigenous seeds were sourced, purchased and distributed to all the 50 project beneficiaries in Kasusu camp in Petauke district. These included local maize varieties (Gankata and Kapya Bwangu), Sorghum, Millet, Cowpeas, Pigeon Peas and Groundnuts. The Purpose of this activity was to promote the cultivation of indigenous crops that are more resistant to climate shocks.
4. Post-Harvest Handling Training
The objective of this training was to help project beneficiaries reduce pre- and post-harvest losses by equipping farmers with skills to manage, store and market their produce effectively. The training also highlighted various farming stages where farmers incur losses. The training was facilitated by CEJ Programmes Coordinator Agriculture and Water Security Mr Robert Chanda. The outcome of the activity ensured that farmers gained valuable insight on the best pre and post harvest handling techniques that reduce losses and improve the overall crop yield.
5. Training on Goat Production and Management
This training was facilitated by Petauke Ministry of Agriculture and it Covered tops on Breeding techniques to improve livestock quality, Goat disease prevention and treatment, the importance of constructing improved goat housing for better productivity. Overall, the training objective was to enhance livestock production as an alternative and complementary livelihood source.
6. Purchase and Distribution of Goats
30 Goats were purchased and distributed (this will be based on goat Pass on initiative). The purpose of this initiative is to support farmers with an alternative income source and improve household nutrition through livestock production. Farmers were selected based on their active participation in training sessions and commitment to making improved goat houses. Farmers were encouraged to take the initiative seriously by the district administrative officer (DAO) who was present the day the goats were distributed to the first beneficiaries.
Impact
The activities in Petauke District have significantly contributed to building farmer resilience against climate shocks. By integrating sustainable farming methods and diversifying income sources through livestock production, the project aligns with CEJ’s commitment to fostering gender and climate justice in Zambia’s food systems.
Gender and Climate Justice in Food Systems Training Documentary in Petauke
Gender and Climate Justice in Food Systems Goat Distribution Documentary in Petauke