CCARDESA Herding for Health (H4H) Knowledge Management Project aims to significantly enhance sustainable livestock and rangeland management across the region. CCARDESA will empower farmers, herders, and local government officials with innovative land and livestock management approaches by developing and distributing targeted educational materials and conducting comprehensive training sessions. It will also include training on marketing, traceability, business management, quality assurance, compliance with standards, and newer techniques in herding and rangeland preservation.
Furthermore, CCARDESA Herding for Health (H4H) Knowledge Management Project will leverage digital platforms and media to broaden the reach of these initiatives, using community radio programs, documentaries, and a mobile app to disseminate crucial information on rangeland management and to facilitate knowledge exchange among stakeholders. This strategy addresses the immediate needs of local communities and fosters a regional network of knowledge sharing, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of rangeland resources. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern practices and promoting regional cooperation, CCARDESA's impact will extend beyond immediate project goals, contributing to the resilience and sustainability of agricultural practices across the SADC Region.
The CCARDESA Herding for Health (H4H) Knowledge Management Project on sustainable livestock and rangeland management is set to deliver significant impacts, including enhanced agricultural productivity and economic gains for local farmers and herders through the adoption of innovative land and livestock management practices. By equipping local communities with new skills and knowledge through extensive training and digital outreach, the project fosters resilience against environmental and economic challenges. The dissemination of best practices across the SADC region promotes a collaborative and standardized approach to agricultural development, influencing policies and contributing to ecological conservation. Ultimately, these efforts not only bolster the local economy but also ensure the sustainability of natural resources, enhancing the overall well-being and sustainability of the communities involved.
In addition, CCARDESA Herding for Health (H4H) Knowledge Management Project will lead to increased visibility and strengthened capacity in rangeland and knowledge management in the SADC Region. enhanced resilience of open land systems and agropastoral communities to desertification and climate change, biodiversity conservation, and improved soil health and carbon sequestration. The project outcome will be the introduction and adoption of community-led, market-oriented agropastoral land use systems that prevent soil and landscape degradation while fostering sustainable rural development. The outcome will follow from four outputs:
Output I:
Innovative, tech-barrier-free, community-led agropastoral practices and nature-based solutions are adopted.
Output II:
People in targeted communities reap economic benefits from soil and landscape restoration interventions.
Output III:
Enabling regional and national policies for sustainable land use in open land ecosystems are established.
Output IV:
Capacity to scale up sustainable landscape management is enhanced.
Project lead:
Ms Futhi Magagula fmagagula@ccardesa.org & Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo bkakuwa@ccardesa.org