By fostering the cultivation of native citrus trees, the initiative aims to empower Nakonde's communities to counter deforestation, rejuvenate biodiversity, and improve local livelihoods. This effort not only addresses environmental challenges but also creates sustainable economic opportunities for people of Nakonde.
The problem this alternative intervention addresses is the current challenge of afforestation rate in the district as a result of deforestation which is one of the economic activities carried out in the Nakonde district of Zambia in Muchinga provincea. The rate of deforestation in the district is a major public, environmental and health concern. Consequently, high levels of unemployment especially for young people and the demand for cheaper energy have all contributed to deforestation rates. Unfortunately, government has not kept up the pace of afforestation as compared to deforestation rates which is a key driver to the climate crisis. But also, the current approach is not incentivised as there is no economic value attached to tree plantation in the district. With this background, Muchinga Corridors Zambia innovated the alternative way of ensuring community participation, local ownership and improved climate action in the afforestation initiatives. The approach is centred on providing an economic incentive for local communities to participate in afforestation initiatives of planting citrus trees that not only address deforestation but also provide an economic value to the community and improves environmental sustainability. The Global Forest WATCH record shows that in 2022 Nakonde district in Muchinga province Zambia Lost about 52.2kha of tree cover, equivalent to 59.2kt of CO2 emission. This indicates that there is a loss of biodiversity and natural resources.
It was observed that Nakonde District has lost biodiversity and natural resources due to its high activeness in cutting down of trees for charcoal as a source of income, this has contributed to the climate crisis harm to the environment, in that from 2001 - 2022 the district lost 1.48kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 14% decrease in tree cover since 2000 and 534kt of CO2e emissions. The district's deforestation major driver has been Charcoal burning, hence MCZ recognised an opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of the district through planting of citrus trees, thereby, promoting afforestation. The advantage of this project is that the trees will not only provide food, but these trees cannot be extracted into charcoal hence they will be outside the target trees to be cut.
The project in its core to provide solutions to the recognised features displays the following key characteristics and unique features:
The project is a community-led initiative supported by Muchinga Corridors Zambia. The aim of doing this is to promote ownership and sustainability by encouraging community members to contribute from the initial stage of collecting plastic bottles and planting the fruit trees.
Youths, communities, schools and organisations. MCZ has recognised the sustainability impact when these target groups are trained, there is a sense of ownership and easier monitoring, evaluation and learning with these targets as you know exactly where to find them. Additionally, these are groups that can recognize the identified challenge and hence cooperate better.
Muchinga Corridors Zambia identifies specific youths, communities (wards) or organisations for training and/or tree planting or orchard establishment with reliance on forestry departments, reflecting on reports of either highly affected areas or those prone to harm. MCZ then communicates through the village headmen and conducts the planned project activity. The project outline also takes the opportunity of certain commemorations to sensitise on the importance of afforestation and planting citrus trees.
The forestry department is MCZs current competition as they do tree planting at a larger scale as compared to the project. MCZ takes this as an opportunity for strengthened partnership, being that the department does not mainly plant citrus trees while the projects focus on citrus tree planting hence, the projects do not collide but strengthen each other's capacity.
The project has had a wider impact due to the implementation design, considering that Muchinga Corridors Zambia (MCZ) targets a total number of seven zones within the CBD. However, MCZ has engaged with people from two zones, reaching a total number of 150 people. In collaboration with zone representatives, MCZ has been able to train and castigate the initiatives with other zones outside the Central Business District (CBD). The zones have established orchards in schools like Yolo secondary school and Ntindi secondary school. The schools were chosen as a demo site by the zones because the places are centrally located for everyone to be going to participate. Nevertheless, the schools were chosen because they give an opportunity for the young people to learn and be part of the process as they are the future leaders of the initiative.
From the projects inception until now, 150 people have been trained, 2 orchards have been established in schools, and over 700 trees have been planted and distributed. Amongst the trained participants, 70 have continued to plant trees for sale with an estimated total of over 2500 trees planted and sold. Looking at the number of people that responded to the planting of citrus trees, MCZ could say that the project's growth has made a significant impact. Which is why there’s a good number of trees growing and bringing life to the environment. However, having more people participate in the planting of trees has not only contributed to having more trees but has also encouraged many community members to partake in this project i.e. the planting of citrus trees.
Technical resources
The horticulture project is a success for MCZ because the technical needs are easily accessible which includes plastic bottles, seeds from local fruits that can be easily procured by the community members. MCZ has a project manager and a team that specifically manages the project and ensures timely planting of seedlings for donations and selling purposes.
Capacity available
MCZ has been implementing the project for three years, through training and tree planting ventures, the project has been consistent in implementation as community members have embraced the project and have also trained other individuals. MCZ has been able to not only plan activities for the project but also mainstream in other programs. The project has further attracted external engagement from the government line ministries and other organisations. Nakonde district has less tree cover for citrus trees which gives the project an advantage and opportunity to capitalise on the available land. The project is established despite a few gaps in implementation and sustainability because timely training and tree planting is done in various communities. Citrus trees cannot be exploited for charcoal and the community members have welcomed the initiatives because it is beneficial for them in terms of income generation and fruits that grow for consumption.
Economic viability, cost and benefits
Phase one of project implementation
Phase two of project implementation
Phase three of the project implementation
A total cost of k500 was invested during the third implementation of the project. Over 150 seeds germinated. Each tree was sold at k15 which gave us a total revenue of k2250 and a profit of k1750.
Benefits
Level of experience
MCZ has been implementing this project in phases for 3 years, in different communities within and outside the Central Business District (Mukoma, Katozi, Ntindi and Yolo). With the grown skill MCZ has learnt the method it uses for citrus tree planting is efficient and effective.
Over this period MCZ has implemented the project with a focus of the Central Business District (Mukoma, Katozi, Ntindi and Yolo) due to limited funding however the organisation is working towards expanding to communities away from the Central Business District (Mukoma, Katozi, Ntindi and Yolo) in order to scale up its reach and impact.
Scaling deep: trainings, mentorships, networks supporting growth of communities of practice
MCZ through the strong partnership with stakeholder such as agriculture department, forestry department, local authority, Nakonde radio, Chete FM and traditional leaders will train community members on how to plant citrus trees for easy germination and sensitise on the positive impact of afforestation. MCZ in collaboration with stakeholders will also promote the use of alternative energy sources by promoting the use of agricultural by- products to produce charcoal in Nakonde district to contribute to saving the tree cover/dwelling forest, this knowledge will be shared through various social media platforms that will consist of online companies against deforestation and promoting afforestation with the planting of citrus trees.
Scaling up: policy, planning and legislation that values and invest in solution.
MCZ plans on scaling up the project through capacity building and training on citrus trees planting on a large scale of income generation through selling of seedlings to avoid high rates of deforestation. MCZ in partnership with Muchinga skills association also trains the community on how to make charcoal briquettes using agricultural wastes for income generation and use.
Scaling out: replication in other contexts, access to infrastructure and resources
MCZ will be able to see to it that the community key gatekeepers that had been trained in planting of citrus trees using the local available fruits and making charcoal briquettes are able to teach other communities and community member and MCZ will also call for application for community members to plant more trees and make charcoal briquettes with all needed materials and training will be provided by Muchinga Corridors Zambia. Muchinga corridors Zambia will also teach others using the train -the trainer model on how to implement this project. Last but not the least MCZ will prioritise sharing of information and expertise in order to have a high and positive impact.
Support and financing needed
MCZ needs financial support in order to implement the project on a larger scale reaching communities within and outside the Central Business District (Mukoma, Katozi, Ntindi and Yolo). The Financial support is also needed to enhance training and capacity building on citrus tree planting.