Increased flooding brought on by climate change is destroying crops that used to be available year-round in western Zambia, jeopardizing the livelihoods of entire communities. Former rice farmer Maibibia launched an all-women fish-farming cooperative to adapt to these conditions and create a new, sustainable livelihood. The fish farm’s investors encourage local communities to diversify their farming to include livestock and other crops, securing a food supply all year round, even in the face of changing conditions.
CIF is investing $36 million to support Zambia’s ongoing efforts to build resilience to climate change. Through this program, CIF is partnering with the World Bank and the African Development Bank to diversify incomes within climate-vulnerable communities so that families can better withstand the impacts of a changing climate. Across the country, communities are gaining access to small livestock and crops that are harvestable year-round. In addition, a fish farm initiative is benefiting 25,800 households, of which 32% are headed by women.