14 Jan, 2016

A bolehole in Bolero village used as a water drinking point for livestock.
Bolero in Rumphi district is one of those old rural growth centers established way back by the visionary Hastings Kamuzu Banda. It boost of feeder bitumen network roads at the trading centre, an agricultural training centre opened on 29 July, 1966 as part of the Turkish Tobacco Development Scheme financed by the Federal Republic of Germany. There is also a fully fledged meteorological station to monitor short and long term trends and feed the local farming community with up to date data. The agro-ecology has one of the species that is associated with fertile soils. This is a leguminous nitrogen fixing acacia like species Faidherbia albida. However, like any other place locally climate effects have not spared local communities. One of the major challenges is water access which is not only affecting people but also livestock especially cattle that has to travel long distance hence impacting on productivity such as milk, meat and manure. Water and fodder for animals ranks high as great concerns to sustain livelihoods according to the residents. There is a ray of hope now to ensure resilience building as part of adaptation among the local communities. Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change (CABMACC) is jointly coordinated by the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Norwegian University of Life Sciences with support from the government of Norway. Through one of its research activity titled So far scientists have instituted studies on the effect of distance to water on the parameters; milk yield, calves growth, reproductive function, milk composition and many more. This way researchers will be able to give the farmers scientific based advice on the best approaches to rear Zebu cattle, and add to the body of knowledge within the scientific community. Also of importance is the fact that research supply policy makers with knowledge on the production and health limits of these animals, such that water dams are being restored and leguminous trees are being planted on the right sites and with adequate capacity. The general idea is to empower farmers with knowledge such that the dry period characterized with water shortage takes less toll on Zebu cattle. This is because a significant part of meat and milk locally comes from Zebu cattle. Farmers are encouraged to use community based resources such as leaves from leguminous trees and maize bran for feeding Zebu cows during the drier months. Additional feeding will help maintaining body condition and thereby production of the cows during a prolonged dry period. Currently, farmers are being provided with seedlings to upscale fodder for animals. Some purchased dried leaves from leguminous trees are being used during training so that farmers use them as feed additive. Already this is some level of mitigation as part of resilience building from climate effects. Thanks to Professor Leoanrd Kamwanja who has taken a lead role in this fight. Other initiatives include bio-ethanol, diary breeding, biomass, aquaculture, conservation agriculture and gender. Overall, CABMACC goal is to enhance innovative response and capacity for adaptation to climate change at national level. Written by Charles Mkoka. Submitted by Christie Kang'ombe.