How a former poacher reinvented himself as a farmer

Ronald lives in a remote village with his six children and four grandchildren, on the boundary of Kasungu National Park. Like many others in this region of eastern Zambia, he poached impala, buffalo, and waterbuck to sell bushmeat. But when he met with COMACO, he realised farming could be his new livelihood. 

Three years later, Ronald is successfully growing maize, soya beans, and groundnuts, from COMACO-provided seeds. Since he began employing these new farming practices, Ronald says, he has witnessed great improvements in his harvest—and he has witnessed a decline in poaching in his community. 

Funded by Germany’s Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), this project in Zambia helps people living close to wildlife learn agroforestry and sustainable, conservation-friendly farming techniques.  

This project reflects IFAW and COMACO's commitment to providing sustainable livelihoods, proving that conservation can go hand in hand with community development. The views expressed are solely those of IFAW and not of GIZ. 

Transcript 

Ronald Mwale: I used to poach just next door, because this is where the park is, and I used to kill impalas, buffaloes, and waterbuck. 

There were some officers that were going around the community, sensitising about COMACO and showing the community how to do modern ways of farming. 

COMACO has taught us how to farm using agroforestry, as well as we have been taught on how to do conservation farming. We are doing better and the harvest has improved. 

From the time I was trained by COMACO, I am also an advocate, trying to make sure that no one gets to poaching because I’ve seen the dangers, and I’m one of those that has transformed.