Empowering Rural Communities Through Community Gardens As A Response To Climate Change: The Case Of Shurugwi Partners’ Chitora Gardens Initiative

ABSTRACT

This research examined the Chitora gardens project implemented by Shurugwi Partners and how it has responded to climate change impacts while empowering rural communities in Chitora ward 1, Shurugwi District. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used. Collection of data was done through the use of questionnaire surveys, interviews, focus group discussions and observations. A total of 42 questionnaires were administered to project members where respondents who had been divided into strata according to gender were selected through the simple random sampling technique. A hypothesis was suggested to prove if there is an association between increase in income of smallholder farmers and establishment of the Chitora gardens project. Data analysis was accomplished through content analysis and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Findings from the research revealed that the project has empowered rural communities economically and socially through income being acquired, training given and capacity building skills gained. Research also showed that the project is sustainable since in addition to horticultural production there are other viable activities done including aquaculture, apiculture and development of a fruit orchard within the community garden. Climate change impacts on the most vulnerable in rural communities have therefore been minimized. The study also indicated that utilization of the wetland by smallholder farmers is environmentally sustainable as it is conserving biodiversity particularly in wetlands around the ward. Previously degraded wetlands now show signs of improvement since the start of the project. However, there is need to complement available sources of water for use in the dry season when water is scarce and with irrigation equipment that is less labour intensive. Climate smart agriculture should be adopted by smallholder farmers for long-term sustainability of the project.