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Our work with communities for adaptation to climate change Collecting rain water In western Zimbabwe, rainfall is only 200-300mm per year Often, this rain comes as a few heavy showers on maybe 10 days in the year Most of this water will run over the parched ground into rivers, without percolating the soil, and thus will not contribute to crop growth By constructing ridges along the contours, the water is slowed down in its passage, and then soaks into the soil. Constructing the contours is labour intensive, but people work together on each other’s land, using a simple A-frame to ensure the ridges are absolutely level The community we were working with then found a way to improve the effectiveness of the contour ridges: by constructing underground tanks, about 10m long and 1.5m deep, between the contours, further water could be trapped. Rachel Berger | 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet Our work with communities for adaptation to climate change : Zimbabwe Collecting rain water Rachel Berger | 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet With this technology the first corn yield since 3 years! (2003) Rachel Berger | 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet Exchange of seeds In most of sub-Saharan Africa and southern Africa, the staple food is maize. This crop has been widely promoted over the last 40-50 years by governments and agri-business, because agricultural research has developed high-yielding varieties. These varieties depend on inputs of fertiliser, and often chemicals to control pests, as well as good rainfall during the growing season Maize has displaced traditional staple crops like millet and sorghum, which are drought resistant, and more nutritious, but require more work to prepare as food. As droughts have become more frequent and longer in these regions, maize crops have declined, and it is vital to increase production of more drought resistant crops Practical Action’s research found that within most villages, there was at least one ‘seed-keeper’, who continued to grow and conserve small quantities of seed of a wide variety of crops To insure that this local knowledge was shared, and strengthened, Practical Action supported the organisation of annual seed fairs, or seed shows, where farmers displayed the seeds of all the crops they grew, and exchanged them with each other. Prizes for the best display were incentives to enter the shows These shows have continued to flourish after the project ended, with villages successfully organising their own events, in Zimbabwe as well as in Kenya In Kenya, the community-based organisation obtained funding from Practical Action and others to design and build their own seed bank, in which to store both a wide variety of seed, and surplus after good harvests to increase food Rachel Berger | when 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet security the next drought happens Fighting droughts in Kenya Exchange of seeds community seed bank Rachel Berger | 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet Community based animal health care In low rainfall areas of Africa, livestock-keeping is an important source of food and income In remote areas, veterinary services are not available, yet in tropical climates there are many common diseases that need treating if livestock-keeping is to be viable Practical Action worked with communities to select suitable people, women and men, to train as para-vets. Paravets can treat common diseases and give injections They charge for their services to cover costs of drugs and to earn an income This work focused initially in northern Kenya among farming and pastoralist communities The work is now being extended into Zimbabwe Rachel Berger | 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet Animal health worker with client, in Tharaka District of Kenya Rachel Berger | 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet For more information…. Visit out website www.practicalaction.org.uk Rachel Berger | 6 May 2007 | MacPlanet