Gertrude Siduna, a 49-year-old farmer from Zimbabwe, has decided to switch her main crop from maize to chili peppers due to the frequent droughts that have affected her productivity in recent years. She was part of a climate-smart agriculture program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that trained her in new farming techniques.
White maize, traditionally the staple crop in the region, consumes a lot of water, making it vulnerable to drought. Siduna, along with other farmers in Zimbabwe, has chosen to diversify her crops and focus on more resilient foods like chili peppers and millet. Chili peppers, in particular, have become an attractive alternative due to their ability to thrive in hotter and drier conditions.
Siduna commented: "I never run out of cornmeal, I use my profits from the chili peppers to buy it in local stores." This shift in crop choice has not only allowed her to secure her food supply but also generate extra income by selling the chili peppers. Unlike other crops, chili peppers can provide a more stable income in the context of climate change and frequent droughts.
The crop change initiative is part of a broader program designed to strengthen the resilience of local farmers against the effects of climate change. In addition to chili peppers, other crops like millet are also gaining ground as they are more tolerant of poor soils and extreme climatic conditions. These new alternatives aim to ensure food security and economic stability for rural communities in Zimbabwe.
International financial aid, especially from countries like the United States, has been crucial in supporting these climate change adaptation programs. Organizations like USAID have contributed funds and knowledge to promote more resilient and sustainable crops in vulnerable regions. Despite the challenges, farmers like Gertrude Siduna see these changes as an opportunity to secure their harvests and improve their quality of life.