ISF Series: Farmers, Students Exchange Ideas for Tackling Climate Change in Mozambique

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In a world where climate change continues to disrupt agricultural practices and threaten food security, local solutions are proving to be the key to building resilience among smallholder farmers. 

Inspired by the story "Why Local Initiatives May Be Key to Climate Change Adaptation," by Pulitzer Center Fellow Sushmita, a team of researchers from the Instituto Superior Politécnico de Gaza [ISPG] in Mozambique was motivated to champion a research experience that consisted in an exchange of knowledge between smallholder farmers in Mozambique's Chókwè and Guijá districts. These community-driven approaches to tackling climate change were also shared with students in a capacity-building session and with the general public through social media and local television.

Nestled in the heart of the Limpopo Valley, the Chókwè and Guijá districts share a common challenge: unpredictable and insufficient rainfall. This climatic vulnerability is further exacerbated by rising temperatures, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain their livelihoods in rain-fed areas. 

Against this backdrop, we set out to highlight the importance of local solutions for climate change adaptation and promote the sharing of on-the-ground knowledge.

A Two-Day Exchange of Knowledge and Innovation

A group of farmers from Chókwè, along with students from ISPG, embarked on a two-day visit to Guijá, eager to learn and share strategies for adapting to water scarcity. Over the years, climate change has altered rainfall patterns in Gaza province, reducing rainfall levels and deepening the water crisis. 

During their visit, the farmers shared their innovative approaches to irrigation using local, low-cost resources. One standout solution was the manual drilling of boreholes, coupled with solar-powered pumps to irrigate their crops even during the dry season. These sustainable, low-tech methods not only help conserve water but also reduce farmers' dependence on costly and unreliable external resources.

But water scarcity wasn’t the only challenge on their minds. Rising temperatures had also led to significant soil degradation in both districts, a problem that had a direct impact on agricultural productivity. 

However, farmers in Guijá had found ways to fight back. During their visit to Chókwè, they demonstrated how they had successfully enhanced soil fertility using organic fertilizers made from dry matter and livestock manure. These simple yet effective practices have had a profound impact, proving that smallholder farmers can overcome significant challenges when equipped with the right knowledge and tools.

Building Capacity: Students as Catalysts for Change

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One of the elements of this project was the involvement of ISPG students. By integrating them into the knowledge-sharing process, we created a bridge between academic learning and community-based practices. Students enrolled in agriculture, hydraulics, and forestry programs at ISPG not only gained hands-on experience in local adaptation strategies but also developed a deeper understanding of sustainable agricultural practices that they could carry into their professional lives.

Throughout the two-day exchange, the students worked side-by-side with farmers, learning from their experiences and contributing fresh perspectives from their academic studies. This collaborative approach fostered a unique environment of mutual learning, where local wisdom and scientific knowledge complemented each other, empowering everyone involved to think critically and creatively about solutions to climate change.

The Power of Local Adaptation Strategies

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The Pulitzer Center's reporting, particularly Sushmita’s "Why Local Initiatives May Be Key to Climate Change Adaptation," served as an inspiration for us to advocate for solutions that harness local resources and knowledge. Developing low-cost, locally-driven strategies is essential, particularly for marginalized communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and often lack access to advanced technologies. The stories of real people navigating climate challenges have reinforced our belief that local adaptation strategies are not only effective but also necessary for sustainable development.

A Lasting Impact: Fostering Resilience and Knowledge Sharing

The beneficiaries of this project were not only the farming communities of Chókwè and Guijá but also the students who participated in the exchange. By promoting a collaborative framework, we enabled both communities and students to learn from each other and collectively build strategies for climate resilience. The exchange has sparked a sense of mission among the students, many of whom have committed to becoming ambassadors of these local solutions in their home regions. Their passion to spread the knowledge and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers promises to have a lasting impact on agricultural production and food security in the region.

The success of this project underscores the importance of community-driven climate change adaptation strategies. By investing in local knowledge, sharing experiences, and building capacity, we can create a future where smallholder farmers are not just surviving, but thriving in the face of climate challenges.

As the stories of Chókwè, Guijá, and ISPG unfold, we are reminded that the solutions to some of the most pressing climate challenges are not always high-tech innovations, but rather simple, sustainable practices rooted in local knowledge.

"During this activity, I learned about different strategies to deal with climate change, mainly using local resources. I know how to drill a hole, set up a solar pump for irrigation, and produce organic fertilizer. If I go back to my homeplace, I will share this with the local farmers.” — Egas Rosário, ISPG student 

“Our knowledge is only valuable when we share it and help others overcome challenges. Today, I learned that it’s possible to create biofertilizer from cattle manure to boost soil fertility. When I return home, I plan to teach the small farmers in my area about this process.” — Eva Francisco Ruben

“If each colleague shares what we have learned about developing local strategies for adapting to climate change, we can confidently state that we will never experience food shortages again.” — Ferdinaldo Tivane 

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