By Gabriel Mwanza, Project Coordinator at Solidaridad
In Baambwe Village, under Chief Mukobela in Namwala District, the Hooves for Sustainability (H4S) project funded by the The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, is reshaping dairy farming and restoring resilience for smallholder farmers. For Christord Mwanamonzwe, a 48-year-old father of three (3), the change has been nothing short of transformative.
Before 2023, his dairy enterprise struggled. Limited pasture and inadequate water meant he could collect only five (5) to 10 liters of milk per day. Across the country, farmers faced similar challenges, with high cow and calf mortality and low mounting rates driven by resource scarcity. Through the H4S project, Solidaridad introduced sustainable rangeland management, working closely with communities to restore grazing systems.
In 2024, the Baambwe community established formal by-laws to regulate cattle movement. Livestock are now moved to lower grazing lands in June and returned to upper lands in February, allowing natural pasture regeneration. Alongside this, farmers received financial literacy training to strengthen their livelihoods.
By March 2026, the results are clear. With improved access to pasture and water, Mwanamonzwe now produces 40 liters of milk per day, a four-to-eightfold increase. He sells his milk daily to the Parmalat milk collection cooperative at 20 ZMW (about 1 USD) per 2 liters, creating a reliable income stream alongside seasonal crops and occasional livestock sales.
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The impact extends beyond one farmer. Across Baambwe, daily milk collection has reached 70 to 100 liters. At a regional level, the Naminwe and Namwala cooperatives are seeing their 3,500L and 2,000L reservoir tanks fill to capacity every two days. Livestock productivity is also improving, with calving rates reaching at least 15 calves per 100 cows and a significant reduction in mortality.
At the heart of this progress is a shift in community mindset. Strong adherence to grazing by-laws and collective action has enabled farmers to rebuild their natural resource base while improving productivity. “Previously, I only got five to 10 liters because of the lack of grass and water, but now with rangeland management, my animals are strong and I am collecting 40 liters every single day,” says Mwanamonzwe.
Looking ahead, stakeholders are calling for continued investment in community training on holistic land and livestock management, alongside improved water infrastructure to sustain animal movement. From five liters to 40, Mwanamonzwe’s story reflects a broader transformation in Namwala District, where sustainable practices are strengthening livelihoods and securing a more resilient future for dairy farmers.
