Increasing food security and diversifying incomes

The project aimed to support local farmers in growing chilies, within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (MPNP) region, in order to both reduce elephant human conflict and provide a secondary income to the farmers. Five chili plots in the villages of Khumaga, Moreomaoto, and Phuduhudu were successfully established, reflecting the enthusiasm within the community for local chili production. Community Officers engaged in one-on-one training sessions, on how to grind and burn the chilies, with the beneficiaries. The Botswana government suddenly banned the importation of all capsicum in December 2021, delaying the transplantation of locally sourced and grown seedlings, amongst the beneficiaries. Once fully developed, the chili plots will enable the farmers to utilize them as a cash crop, creating an avenue for additional income and an alternative livelihood. In the village of Phuduhudu, the chili plot at the local health clinic has diversified into a vegetable garden. Its produce will be distributed to the sick in the village, exemplifying the holistic approach of the initiative. The project additionally successfully delivered wider community education on elephant human conflict mitigation thanks to six environmental school classes.

Founded in 2007, Elephants for Africa is a UK registered charity and an NGO in Botswana. It is committed to elephant conservation through research and education.

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