CBA Example in Zambia
Zambia, in the past few years has experienced droughts country wide. The prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall in Zambia threaten rain-fed farming and food security.
Local Engagement: Village elders, farmers, and traditional leaders share knowledge through oral traditions and community discussions to plan planting and resource use.
Outcomes: Better crop timing, reduced failure risks via diversified planting (millet, sorghum), improved household food security, and preserved biodiversity.
Traditional Practices: Indigenous weather forecasting (bird/insect behavior, plant signs).
Crop diversification and rotation with drought-tolerant varieties. Protecting wetlands/trees to maintain water sources. Traditional grain storage (smoke, ash, sun-drying).
Effectiveness Today: Still widely used in rural areas, effective against current drought risks
Cultural Connection: These are tied to respect for nature, ancestral wisdom, communal values, and spiritual harmony with the environment.
Integration into LLA: There is prioritisation of traditional crops in extension services, and include in national adaptation plans for community-led scaling.
Successful Integration Example: The Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Project under the (Ministry of Green Economy) combines (wetland/forest conservation, diversified farming) with scientific tools for restoration and resilience in provinces like Luapula and Northern, while community efforts in other provinces and rural areas use local water/land knowledge to enhance drought/flood coping.