The Agriculture sector does not only contribute to climate change, it is affected by it but it also forms part of the solution. Coherent and effective solutions are however needed.
In recognition of this, a local trust ÔÇô dubbed ‘Now for them Community Trust’ has put up a program aimed at facilitating adaptation to climate change solutions for farmers in Botswana.
The program, according to, Sarah Mulwa – the ‘Now for them Community Trust’s founder trains farmers on strategies to mitigate effects of dry spells/droughts or floors and adopt appropriate technologies to combat drought through sustainable agriculture and land management, sustainable agricultural water management and irrigation development.
Mulwa said the program dubbed ÔÇô “Climate action for sustainable livelihoods” could have started in September 2018 but has been delayed by its implementer’s other commitments. She said the implementer has completed feasibility study and was in the last stages.
Pundits maintain that with the right technologies and systems, improved cropland and grazing land management, restoration of degraded lands and land-use change, such as agro-forestry, can make a major contribution to limiting greenhouse gases.
Another program that the ‘Now for them Community Trust’ is the ‘Marang a Thuto’, loosely translated ‘Sunrays for education.’
The program, Mulwa says is aimed at increasing access to energy in rural Botswana. Through it the trust donates rural scholars whose households are not connected to grid electricity with solar lamps to give them equal opportunity to carry out homework at night in their homes. This programme aims to increase the pass grades of rural scholars without electricity to afford them equal opportunities and benefits to education.
The program, whose implementation’s approach entails a yearly campaign called 100km Makgadikgadi Pans Walk for Solar Lamps for Rural Scholars in Botswana; aimed to raise funds across the world to purchase solar lamps for scholars in rural Botswana sharpened the Trustees’ and volunteers’ innovation.
They have decided to invent their own type of solar lamp and preparations to start the invention program are at advanced stage. Sponsorship proposals have been submitted to interested stakeholders and experts on invention have been engaged.
“Some of the objectives for which the Trust was founded include: To create an inclusive society by raising awareness of issues affecting vulnerable communities especially the disabled, abused, children, youth, women and, but not limited to the elderly; To carry out and/or promote environmental education and conservation of water, wildlife and land; To promote sustainable, efficient and effective energy conservation, resource development and use; To carry out and/or promote health and wellness education,” she said.
Other objectives are to facilitate and promote human capital development, quality education, skills transfer and capacity building; advocate for promotion and adaptation of policies aimed at human development; as well as promote human rights issues relating to gender equality and equity for all.
