By Caroline Chiimba
Anneth Shambamaropa, a 48-year-old mother from Chilimba village in Kariba has been involved in gardening for 20 years. Gardening has been the backbone of her family’s livelihood despite low yields.
When an initiative to set up a community garden in Chilimba under the Reversing Environmental degradation in Africa and Asia (REDAA) funded “Farming with Alternative Pollinators” project came, she took up the challenge.
Anneth, like many in her community, was unaware of the crucial role pollinators played in her garden’s productivity. The project assisted her in acquiring more knowledge about the importance of attracting and maintaining pollinator populations.
“The project assisted us with seed inputs comprising of okra, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers and coriander, and I was also trained on biodiversity, climate change, pollinator monitoring and sustainable agricultural practices,” Anneth said.
“I applied these techniques and successfully controlled pests and diseases using non-chemical methods. My harvest improved and for the first time I had surplus. I sold the surplus produce and got US$188 income which enabled me to invest in my livelihood, purchasing two goats, one of which gave birth in March.
This development has provided Anneth with a potential source of future income and food security. The three goats are a symbol of hope and a promising future.
“I never thought I would own a goat,” Anneth said, with a lot of excitement. “And now, I have three!”
“I’ve been gardening for 20 years, but never even managed to buy a single chicken from my garden income. This project has been a game-changer. The training on pollinators and sustainable agricultural practices has helped me to improve my yields and income. I’m grateful for this empowerment and support that has enables a complete turnaround of my family’s livelihood,” Anneth added.
Her story is a testament to the power of knowledge, perseverance, and the often-overlooked importance of pollinators. Now it is not just about increased income, but about a renewed sense of hope, a connection to nature, and a sustainable path to prosperity for her family and community. She now looks to the future with a newfound confidence, her nutrition garden humming with life, her heart filled with hope.
“The benefit of this project extends beyond my family food security. The pollinators are enhancing a vibrant ecosystem, the soil is healthier, and the food tastes better,” she said. “I tell my fellow community members that they shouldn’t underestimate the power of the small creatures. They are the key to a generous harvest and a better future.””