Strengthening climate resilience through agroforestry and community forestry
Zambia is currently experiencing its worst drought in three decades: a crisis that has devastated the agricultural sector, caused widespread food insecurity and is exacerbating the profound economic challenges facing the country. As COP29 summit marks Food, Agriculture and Water Day today (19 November), IIED’s Stephen Mwangi shares insights from a recent learning exchange in Zambia that highlighted the critical role of agroforestry and community forestry in building local resilience to environmental shocks.
A tree nursery for agroforestry, at the Nyimba District Farmers Association (Photo: Mukaba Mukaba)
Zambia is currently experiencing its worst drought in a decade. Declared a national disaster earlier this year by Zambia’s president, the ongoing drought and lack of rainfall has affected food security, livelihoods and economic stability in the southern African nation.
Currently, an estimated 4.95 million people (29% of Zambia’s population) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to analysis (PDF) released in October 2024 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The IPC predicts that the situation will deteriorate in the coming months: a crisis it describes as being "largely driven by climate related shocks, the high incidence of poverty, and the prevailing macroeconomic instability".
Indeed, Zambia has faced profound economic challenges in recent years, including a contraction in GDP, rising inflation and increasing poverty, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While fiscal reforms in 2022 and 2023 led to some stabilisation, the 2023-2024 drought has severely undermined these economic gains.
The drought has particularly devastated agriculture, damaging over one million hectares of maize – the country’s staple crop. At a time when the COP29 summit enters its second week of talks, these challenges in Zambia highlight the urgent need for resilient agricultural and forestry systems that can withstand climate shocks and secure the livelihoods of local communities.
The role of community forestry and agroforesty
Zambia, like many African countries, faces the dual challenge of feeding a growing population while also protecting its natural resources. The demand for more agricultural land has led to widespread deforestation, as forests are cleared to make room for new farming areas. Unfortunately, this unsustainable agricultural expansion has contributed to severe forest degradation, threatening biodiversity and exacerbating climate change impacts.
It was in this context that a regional exchange recently took place in Zambia’s Nyimba and Petauke Districts in Eastern Province, hosted by the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) – a partnership between the IIED, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), IUCN and Agricord.
Held in late October, the event convened nearly 70 participants from nine African countries (Ghana, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Liberia, The Gambia, Madagascar, Togo and Malawi) to facilitate peer-to-peer learning on the theme of ‘Boosting community forestry and agroforestry business’.
The exchange highlighted the critical role of sustainable community forestry management (CFM) systems and agroforestry enterprises in building resilience to environmental challenges, particularly in the context of Zambia’s severe drought. It sought to address these challenges by highlighting successful community forestry and agroforestry initiatives, particularly in the face of Zambia’s devastating drought.
A model for community-led sustainability
Against this challenging backdrop, the FFF regional exchange showcased the Nyimba District Farmers Association (NDFA) as a notable example of resilience in action by a local organisation. Established in 2006 as part of the Zambia Farmers Union’s strategy to devolve representation and service delivery, NDFA supports over 5,700 smallholder farmers – nearly 60% of whom are women.
NDFA’s core mission is to improve food and income security by fostering self-sustained, resilient communities through community forestry and agroforestry initiatives, and by providing farming inputs, capacity-building programmes and a platform for advocacy. The organisation has made significant strides in environmental sustainability by introducing alternative livelihood programmes and supporting local farmers in agroecological practices.
For instance, NDFA operates a robust CFM system. This allows communities to manage forests collectively while reducing deforestation, and also helps farmers to adopt sustainable practices that reduce their dependence on forest clearing and increase their resilience to climate shocks.
The association also encourages the cultivation and processing of valuable non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as medicinal plants, tamarind-based beverages and baobab fruit products, thereby diversifying livelihood options and boosting income for their members.
The need for a cross-border approach
Since partnering with FFF in 2021, NDFA has received invaluable support in its mission to strengthen community-led resilience: FFF has funded the development of Ward Development Committees, enabling smallholder farmers to access Zambia’s Constituency Development Fund. Through these committees, NDFA has established Ward Development Plans and registered 74 information centres, strengthening the visibility and voice of smallholder farmers within district governance.
The regional exchange emphasised the importance of capacity building for sustainable agricultural practices. Business incubation training funded by FFF gives farmers the means to turn agroforestry initiatives into viable business ventures; FFF also provides NDFA members with climate-resilient practices, preparing communities to face future droughts and other climate risks.
In 2023, NDFA hosted Zambia’s president during the launch of the tree planting season in Nyimba district: a testament to the association’s increasing visibility and influence within national and local governance.
I believe that the insights arising from the exchange are invaluable for other African nations facing similar environmental and economic pressures. Participants from other countries shared their own strategies for sustainable forestry, creating an invaluable network of best practices. This peer-to-peer exchange of knowledge reinforced the need for a cross-border, collaborative approach to fighting deforestation, protecting biodiversity and ensuring food security in the face of climate change.
Moving forward, NDFA intends to strengthen its focus on promoting agroforestry and supporting farmers’ transition to climate-resilient, sustainable practices. By investing in NTFP processing, sustainable land management and agroforestry, it hopes to build a more resilient local economy. The association is also partnering with international organisations to expand its impact and access to new donors.
A blueprint for resilient community forestry
The FFF regional exchange offered hope in a time of crisis. Zambia’s experience – characterised by a prolonged and severe drought and high rates of deforestation – shows that community-led initiatives are crucial for building resilience. NDFA’s commitment to sustainable agroforestry, income diversification and capacity building provides a replicable model for other communities in Africa.
By empowering farmers, protecting forests and embracing sustainable business practices, NDFA and its partners are not only safeguarding Zambia’s environment but are also contributing to a stronger, more resilient rural economy in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The association serves as an example of how grassroots organisations, when well governed and with the right support and partnerships, can drive sustainable solutions.
As COP29 draws to an end, I sincerely hope other communities in other countries – beyond Zambia and beyond the African continent – are inspired and supported to emulate this example, building on the lessons to foster a thriving and resilient future.
