In an effort to address climate change and environmental degradation in rural Zimbabwe, Emilia Hatendi, the coordinator for the Centre for the Development of Women and Children (CDWC), has spearheaded an ambitious initiative.
The project, Promoting Transformative Women-led Community Resilience through Food Forests, focuses on reforestation and food security by promoting the planting of indigenous fruit trees in vulnerable communities.
In this Q&A session, Emilia Hatendi (EH) sheds light on the inspiration, challenges, and successes of this project, which is transforming the lives of women farmers while helping to restore Zimbabwe’s ecosystems.
Q: What inspired you to start the indigenous trees project in Zimbabwe?
EH: The project, “Promoting Transformative Women-led Community Resilience through Food Forests,” emerged as a response to global crises like climate change, which are severely impacting rural women farmers in Zimbabwe. Specifically, in Makoni District (Manicaland Province) and Tsholotsho District (Matabeleland North Province), prolonged droughts and floods have worsened poverty and hunger. Working with these women, who rely on rain-fed agriculture, we held community engagements and identified deforestation and food insecurity as key concerns. The communities committed to a reforestation program focused on indigenous fruit trees, which serve as a source of food and help restore the ecosystem.
Q: What are the main goals of your indigenous trees project, and how will you achieve them?
EH: Climate change amplifies the vulnerabilities of rural women farmers, so we aim to reduce its impact by teaching 200 women seed collection, selection, and germination of indigenous fruit trees. By restoring biodiversity and creating a balanced ecosystem, this project will reverse deforestation. We plan to establish women-led Environmental Protection Committees, work with local authorities, and promote the sustainable use of indigenous seeds. These actions will foster environmental stewardship and ensure the long-term survival of local tree species.
Q: What challenges have you faced in promoting indigenous trees?
EH: A key challenge is the lack of documentation for indigenous fruits. Without a regional database, tracking these species becomes difficult. Overharvesting of fruits for urban consumption is also an issue, as it disrupts natural seed regeneration and pushes certain trees toward extinction. Moreover, energy poverty has led to increased deforestation in rural areas, adding pressure to the ecosystem.
Q: How do you engage local communities, and what role do they play in the project?
EH: Our approach is community-based and community-led. The villagers formed an Environmental Protection Committee that oversees every stage of the project, from seed collection to tree planting. They manage nurseries, distribute seedlings, and monitor the trees’ growth. CDWC provides technical support and holds bi-weekly meetings to ensure smooth operations. This collective management ensures the project remains sustainable and locally driven.
Q: What is the cultural or spiritual significance of indigenous trees in Zimbabwe?
EH: Some indigenous trees hold spiritual importance in local communities, with myths suggesting hardship for those who cut them down. Other species have medicinal properties and are protected by traditional leaders. This knowledge, passed down from elders, helps conserve these trees. As part of our project, we are documenting these cultural insights to ensure they are preserved for future generations.
Q: What sustainable practices are in place to ensure the trees’ long-term survival?
EH: We collaborate with agricultural extension officers who support agro-forestry efforts. Each of the 200 women trained in the project has received 10 indigenous fruit trees and continues to grow more seeds for nursery expansion. This community-driven approach speeds up reforestation, strengthens environmental conservation, and revives the natural ecosystem.
Q: How do you collaborate with local authorities, environmental agencies, and NGOs?
EH: From the project’s inception, we have worked with stakeholders like the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), which educates communities on environmental protection laws. The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture supports agro-forestry practices, while the Rural District Council helps enforce environmental regulations. Local schools are also involved, ensuring that younger generations benefit from the project and learn about environmental stewardship.
Q: Are there economic benefits for local communities from preserving indigenous trees?
EH: Yes, the community-managed nurseries can generate income by selling tree seedlings. Additionally, the food forests will provide fruit that can be dried and sold, offering a sustainable income stream and improving food security.
Q: Do you plan to expand your project to other regions or countries?
EH: We have received requests from other communities in Zimbabwe to help them set up similar nurseries. As members of the Southern Africa Rural Women’s Assembly, we are considering expanding the project across the SADC region, leveraging the self-organising capacities of rural women.
Q: Can you share any success stories from your project?
EH: The project’s uptake by the community has been very encouraging. Women farmers, who are disproportionately affected by climate change, are now actively participating in environmental governance. They are engaging with policymakers and playing a vital role in natural resource protection. This empowerment has enabled them to guard against over-exploitation of local resources.
