Sustainable Livelihoods Development Programme (SLDP) for the Gorongosa Buffer Zone communities, Mozambique
Problem
The Gorongosa Buffer Zone faces severe socio-economic and ecological challenges. The population depends heavily on rainfed subsistence farming, which often fails to meet basic food security needs. Commercial farming remains underdeveloped due to limited access to markets, inputs and knowledge in relation to crop production for sale. Access to health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services is limited. This contributes to high levels of chronic malnutrition and preventable illness, particularly among women and children. Heavy dependence on land and traditional practices has led to significant deforestation in the buffer zone – this zone serves as a boundary between Gorongosa National Park and the surrounding communities. This loss of forest cover reduces biodiversity and disrupts water cycles in the park, and undermines sustainable agriculture for the communities. Poaching, driven by poverty and hunger, adds further pressure. Gender inequality, weak public services, and high vulnerability to both climate shocks and political instability further compound these challenges.
Solution
Together with the Gorongosa Restoration Project (GRP) and Right to Play (RTP), Resilience contributes to improving sustainable livelihoods in the Gorongosa Buffer Zone. RTP and Resilience develop, train and support GRP to implement the Embassy of Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mozambique-funded project. Resilience is responsible for:
- providing in-field and digital extension services through farmer-to-farmer learning that promote locally embedded innovations in irrigation, good agricultural practices and market access, supporting farmers to shift toward year-round production and commercialisation;
- applying remote sensing to monitor deforestation and land use changes;
- monitoring, evaluation and learning, combining quantitative, digitally collected data with field-based impact stories to facilitate adaptive project management;
- ensuring gender-responsive and inclusive approaches that benefit women, men and youth.
Impact
The SLDP is expected to directly improve the livelihoods of 15,000 smallholder farmers by doubling agricultural yields and increasing income through better practices, improved access to inputs and market access. It will contribute to ecosystem conservation through sustainable agriculture, agroforestry and reforestation. These efforts will also help reduce pressure on Gorongosa National Park’s biodiversity by supporting more sustainable land use in the surrounding buffer zone, and increase access to essential services, such as WASH and SRHR. With a strong focus on gender equity and inclusion, SLDP aims to empower under–represented groups, especially women and youth, across all areas of intervention.
Gorongosa, Mozambique
Team members
Timeframe
2022-2027
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