Grace Mutonga: how climate-smart agriculture transformed one farmer’s life

In rural Zambia, with an average birthrate of six children per woman, women are responsible for meeting daily family provisions—a difficult task as the changing climate alters farmland.  

This has been the sad reality for 48-year-old Grace Mutonga, a small-holder farmer who lives on a cherished four-hectare smallholder plot with her husband near Lukusuzi National Park. The ancestral land, passed down for generations, is a living testament to the traditions and legacies of their forebearers—many of whom are buried there. 

Shortage and sacrifice 

Grace and her husband farmed maize, cotton, and groundnuts, but year by year, the generous annual harvest grew smaller and smaller. ‘This situation led us into poverty and made it difficult to provide basic meals for our children,’ Grace says. 

The fight for survival intensified. They made heartbreaking sacrifices, such as choosing which of their children could they afford to send to school and which would have to abandon their education. The family was desperate to make ends meet. 

For many families in similar situations, illegal mining is seen as a viable alternative source of income. However, we are seeing the consequences of these activities for wildlife, as mining degrades the environment and threatens delicate ecosystems. 

Embracing climate-smart agriculture 

Grace’s life took a significant turn one afternoon in 2015 when she attended an outreach meeting organised by Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO). There, she was introduced to the concept of climate-smart agriculture.  

‘The information I received that day started a journey of change for me and opened my eyes to new opportunities,’ she says. 

Targeted mostly at women farmers and former poachers across the 32,278 square-kilometre Malawi–Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA), COMACO and IFAW’s training enabled Grace to start utilising climate-smart farming practices.   

Learning organic practices, such as planting legumes to enhance soil nutrition, crop rotation to maintain soil health, and planting crops alongside Gliricidia sepium trees, which offer additional nutrients, has changed the lives of Grace and her family.   

During the 2023-24 farming season, she achieved an impressive harvest of nearly two tonnes of maize, an astonishing improvement on previous yields, which had dwindled to around 300 kilograms.  

Luke Lungu, COMACO’s Assistant Project Manager, says Grace’s journey has inspired many other struggling farmers to follow her lead. ’COMACO takes great pride in her role as one of our lead farmers, guiding fellow farmers in embracing sustainable agricultural practices. Grace refused to give up, and her achievements are remarkable.’ 

Building resilient communities, one farmer at a time  

‘Mutonga’s inspiring story is a powerful reminder of how individual action can significantly impact the world around us,’ says Simbarashe Chiseva, IFAW Community Development Officer. “Our partnership with COMACO empowers communities, enhances resilience, ensures food security, and lifts people out of poverty in the areas we serve.’ 

IFAW is working globally to promote climate-smart conservation practices that benefit wildlife and people. IFAW’s Room to Roam initiative includes a focus on climate-smart agriculture, which is already improving the livelihood and food security of many farmers based in the Malawi–Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA).   

Under IFAW's partnership with COMACO, supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), more than 5,300 farmers in Malawi and Zambia have received training in climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry. Most beneficiaries say climate-intelligent farming practices and climate-sensitive natural resource management have improved their living conditions—allowing families like Grace’s to thrive.