In drought-stricken Zambia, chilli farming is helping families beat hunger, protect their crops and coexist with wildlife.
When the rain failed, chillies didn’t.
Zambia’s climate crisis hit hard in 2023. Facing its worst agricultural season in four decades, nine million people were affected and over five million faced hunger. Amid this crisis, farmers in Simalaha found hope in a previously unfamiliar crop.
On the banks of the Zambezi River, chilli farmers supported by Simalaha Community Conservancy, COmON Foundation and Peace Parks Foundation saw their drought-resistant crops thrive, even as others failed.
“We sell the chillies, get something (cash), and find something to eat,” explains Donald Kabika, farmer from Mwandi Royal Village.
Drought-resistant and high-value
Chilli farmers in Simalaha
Chillies are proving to be more than a culinary spice – they’re a climate-resilient cash crop. Naturally suited to hot, dry conditions, chilli plants can flourish where traditional crops cannot. This makes them ideal for areas increasingly affected by erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells. Beyond resilience, chillies bring real economic opportunity. Popular in both local and international markets, they’re valued for:
- Cooking and seasoning
- Medicinal uses (thanks to capsaicin)
- Health benefits like pain relief, improved mood and appetite control
- But their success in Simalaha is about more than natural advantages.
- It’s also the result of deliberate support from Simalaha Community Conservancy and Peace Parks Foundation, who ensure farmers have what they need to thrive: Fencing to protect their fields
- Training in chilli cultivation
- Access to reliable buyers and markets
Keeping elephants out – naturally
Simalaha is a place where people and wildlife live side by side – but that comes with challenges. Many farmers live along the Zambezi River, where clean water is abundant. The river also attracts elephants and, on their way to drink, they often raid nearby farms – especially those growing maize. But local farmers have found a clever and natural solution: chilli bombs. Made by mixing dry chilli powder with elephant dung and water, these are shaped into balls or bricks, dried in the sun, and then lit to release a pungent smoke.
“It helps us deter the elephants,” shares Kabika.
Conservation agriculture in action
Simalaha’s chilli farming initiative is part of a bigger shift towards sustainable farming. Known as conservation agriculture, the approach promotes food production that is both people-centred and environmentally friendly.
The Conservancy plays a key role in enabling this transition. Farmers receive:
- Irrigation tools to overcome water scarcity
- Training in eco-friendly pest and disease control
- Guidance on choosing crops suited to their environment
“In Simalaha, we are living with wildlife. We encourage farmers to use biological control methods.” – Catherine Mathatha, Conservation and Agriculture Coordinator, Simalaha Community Conservancy
Not just surviving, but thriving
In a region hard-hit by poverty and climate change, chilli farming is helping families regain control of their futures. Farmers like the Kabikas are not only feeding their households but also earning income, restoring their land and protecting their crops from wildlife. The ripple effect goes even further. Chilli farming contributes to:
- Healthier ecosystems
- Improved food and income security
- New opportunities for women and youth
- A nature-based economy that supports ecotourism and conservation jobs
A nature-based win-win
What began as a survival strategy is now transforming livelihoods and landscapes in Simalaha. Thanks to the humble chilli pepper – and the support of our conservation partners – farmers are proving that it’s possible to build climate resilience, protect wildlife and unlock economic opportunity, all at once. It’s small. It’s spicy. And it’s changing lives.
