ACCESS4ALL Group

A successful Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) practice I have observed in Chikwawa District is the use of traditional flood-resilient farming and settlement practices along the Shire River, particularly the cultivation of sorghum and millet on elevated land (locally informed land zoning) combined with community-led flood preparedness measures.

Challenge Addressed

This initiative addresses recurrent flooding and prolonged dry spells, which have intensified due to climate change. Chikwawa is highly vulnerable to seasonal floods that destroy crops, displace households, and undermine food security.

Local Engagement in Planning and Decision-Making

Local people—especially village elders, lead farmers, and traditional leaders—played a central role in identifying flood-prone zones and deciding where different crops should be planted. Decisions were informed by historical flood knowledge, oral histories, and long-standing observations of river behavior. Community meetings (msonkhano wa mudzi) were used to agree on farming calendars, crop choices, and settlement boundaries.

Outcomes and Impacts

• Increased food security, as sorghum and millet are more flood- and drought-tolerant than maize

• Reduced crop losses during floods

• Improved household resilience and quicker recovery after climate shocks

• Strengthened social cohesion through collective action and shared responsibility

Traditional and Indigenous Practices Supporting Adaptation

Some key traditional practices in Chikwawa include:

• Cultivation of drought- and flood-resistant crops (sorghum, millet, cassava)

• Raised granaries to protect food stocks from floods

• Local flood indicators, such as changes in river flow, bird movement, and vegetation patterns

• Communal labor systems (mwethya) for land preparation and rebuilding after floods

  
  

These practices remain effective for managing current climate risks, though their use has declined due to the dominance of maize-focused agricultural policies and external aid inputs.

Link to Local Traditions, Values, and Identity

These practices are deeply tied to cultural identity, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and respect for elders. Farming decisions are not only technical but social, reflecting collective values around cooperation, survival, and stewardship of land.

Integration into the LLA Framework

Under the Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) framework, these practices could be strengthened by:

• Recognizing traditional knowledge as legitimate adaptation evidence

• Channeling climate finance directly to community-identified priorities

• Blending indigenous practices with modern tools (e.g., seasonal forecasts, improved seed storage)

• Supporting community leadership rather than externally driven solutions

  
  

Barriers to Sustainability

Key barriers include:

• Policy neglect of indigenous crops and knowledge systems

• Youth migration and weakening intergenerational knowledge transfer

• Dependence on relief aid and externally promoted solutions

• Limited documentation of traditional practices

  
  

Examples of Integrated Adaptation Initiatives

Some NGO-supported projects in Chikwawa have successfully combined traditional flood-resilient crops with modern early warning systems and conservation agriculture, showing that indigenous practices can be scaled without losing their local ownership.