Climate Challenges, Community Solutions
Published on
September 20, 2024 at 2:27:38 PM PDT September 20, 2024 at 2:27:38 PM PDTth, September 20, 2024 at 2:27:38 PM PDT
What did you have for lunch? Chancesare, the ingredients are vulnerable to climate change. Have you ever thought about how the crusty sourdough for your sandwich relies on a delicate balance of rain and sunshine for the grain to grow? Or how the meat and cheese depend on stable conditions for livestock? Even the lettuce and tomatoes need just the right amount of water to thrive.
Our changing climate isn’t just about extreme weather events like sweltering heat domes or devastating floods—it’s about the everyday impacts that affect our meals, our livelihoods, and our futures. Globally, 3.5 billion people—often already vulnerable—face heightened risks due to changing weather patterns. Burundi, for example, ranks 22nd most vulnerable to climate change but 173rd in preparedness—a stark gap that urgently
needs attention.
So, how do we bridge gaps like this? It starts with being open-minded and willing to switch traditional techniques for climate-smart systems. And the local farmers in Burundi’s
From Scarcity to Security
Meet Laurent. His farm, blessed with fertile soil, struggled with low productivity due to unreliable rainfall and rugged terrain. When the rains fell hard, floods would rush down Ngoma’s steep hills and wash away the crops, and when the rains didn’t come during the dry season, the crops would barely grow. As harvests failed, Laurent worried.
“Every day, there was a question of how I will overcome this problem. First, how will I have sufficient production from my farming to feed my whole family—mainly our five children—and, second, cover the other burdens in the family, like sending them to school?” recalled Laurent.
In 2018, FH recognized the climate challenges facing this community and introduced an irrigation system in the Nayandaro Marsh, transforming local farming. Laurent, who quickly rose up as a passionate leader in the project, and his neighbours gained access to better seeds and learned how to practice crop rotation, drastically improving their harvests. With the new irrigation system, they now farm year-round—even during the dry season. This has dramatically improved Ngoma’s food security.
“The community has benefited by producing more than before, especially those who use this marsh. We learned good agricultural practices and... irrigation works during the dry season,” Laurent shared.
“I used to plant 20 kilograms of bean seeds and only harvest 40 kilograms. Now, with FH’s higher quality seeds, I planted 10 kilograms and harvested 300 kilograms!”
Facing Climate Change Together
Because Laurent and his fellow farmers embraced climate-smart techniques and sustainable practices, Laurent doesn’t have to worry about putting food on the table anymore. There’s more than enough to eat and plenty of extra to sell so Laurent can even afford his children’s school fees!
Climate change may seem daunting, but Laurent’s story shows that with the right support, we can build resilience. Even in the face of climate challenges, communities can adapt. Ngoma is not just surviving—they’re flourishing.
As it turns out, ending poverty together means confronting climate change head-on together, too.