Banhine National Park is a critically important component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area as it lies within the wildlife corridor between Zinave and Limpopo national parks.
Here in Zinhane, on the outskirts of the park, a community engagement programme is seeking alternative livelihoods for local communities. This is a conservation agriculture project where communities will produce crops, prosper from business opportunities, and enjoy improved health.
“Our aim is to cover an area of seven hectares. Currently, we have covered an area of two hectares and plan to expand gradually. Of our 65 members, 53 are women and 12 are men,” explains Herculano Ernesto, the Community Programme Coordinator for Banhine National Park.
These initiatives ensure food security and stability in the communities bordering Banhine National Park through enhanced crop yields, which will in turn reduce pressure on natural resources, and promote long-term environmental care.
“I’m a member and farmer of the Phunekane Association,” Ana Marta Francisco Chaúque states proudly.
“In this project, we have been learning various techniques, such as alignment which facilitates effective water circulation and more. I’m pleased to be part of this initiative, which comes to help us to solve food insecurity. The park has supported us a lot, they created this association, provided seeds and other resources.”
This effort is supported by funds from COmON Foundation, through Peace Parks Foundation, which is a strategic partner for the Mozambique National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) in Banhine National Park.
