Grace Matengu finds hope in holistic approach to farming

Despite the late rains and ongoing drought, 50-year-old Grace Nalucha Matengu, a farmer in the Zambezi Region, has found relief and hope through the agro-ecological practices she has learned.

Matengu, who lives in the Kanono area, is part of the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) Arise project, which promotes agro-ecological practices to build resilience against climate change and secure livelihoods.

The project is being implemented by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Germany in collaboration with in-country partners.

In Namibia, the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) is leading the project in partnership with Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation.

NNF communications support officer Sunnypo Imalwa explained that agro-ecology involves a holistic approach to farming that combines traditional agricultural knowledge with ecological principles. It promotes sustainable and resilient food systems by focusing on practices like crop diversification, soil health management and water conservation.

This approach is particularly important in areas where water scarcity and climate variability pose challenges to farming.

Unique strategies

Matengu lives in her traditional homestead with her child and four grandchildren.

Despite Kanono’s location between two prominent rivers, water scarcity remains a major issue due to inadequate infrastructure and prolonged droughts. Farmers like Matengu often lack access to boreholes or municipal water systems, leaving them vulnerable to an unpredictable climate, Imalwa said.

In November last year, two land preparation methods were used on Matengu's 25×100-metre field, Imalwa added.

On one side of Matengu’s field, she has already dug basins for her maize crop, while on the other, a ripper was used to create ridges for her other crops.

“She has no cattle, so her neighbour’s cattle are being used for ripping the soil.”

Imalwa said the basis Matengu dug are shallow pits made with a hoe to plant crops like maize.

“The basins are filled with some manure or compost and closed after sowing. They help retain moisture from rainfall, making them invaluable in water-scarce regions.”

Meanwhile, ridge ripping involves creating raised rows of soil to improve water infiltration and reduce erosion.

Crucial support

Matengu expressed her joy, noting that she often works in her field alone with no cattle or equipment.

With the cattle and ripper and a team to help her, tasks that once took her days to complete with a hoe were finished within just an hour.

“Oh, I am so happy!” She said with relief.

“My life has been made easy. Without cattle or a ripper, I would have manually dug the ridges with a hoe and that could have taken days.”

Imalwa said while the drought has hit hard in the past two years, Matengu harvested some crops, enough for her family’s consumption.

“I only got a bucket of maize, unlike the 15 to 50 kg bags I would get in previous years with sufficient rain. Most of the crops died, but they had survived for much longer than other farmers’ because of the agroecological practices, which retained the moisture from the little rains we had received for longer," Matengu said.

Sole caretaker

Matengu relies solely on farming to support her family.

Before the drought, she earned enough to cover their living expenses and school fees. Now, the biggest challenge is access to water. With no nearby boreholes, their best option is costly municipal water.

However, with no pipelines bringing water to the village, Matengu can only hope for better rains in the coming season, Imalwa said.

Dream to thrive

Matengu plans to grow maize, beans, watermelons and pumpkins this season, optimistic that the lessons from the KAZA Arise project will help her farm thrive.

The KAZA Arise initiative launched in March 2022, aiming to enhance food security and protect habitats within KAZA.

The conservation area is the world’s largest land-based transboundary conservation region.