Project Title: Ways of Improving Food Insecurity in Chikwalakwala Village
Stage 1: Problem Identification
1.1 Description of Problem
Chikwalakwala Village is situated in a semi-arid region characterized by low, erratic rainfall
and poor soil nutrient levels. The primary problem is a seasonal food gap—where
households run out of grain months before the next harvest. This is caused by a reliance on
water-heavy maize and the lack of protective storage, leading to high post-harvest losses from
pests and moisture.
1.2 Statement of Intent
To implement a "Climate-Smart Hub" approach that combines drought-tolerant crop
production with advanced low-cost storage to ensure a year-round food supply.
1.3 Design Specification
Adaptability: Crops must be able to reach maturity with less than 400mm of rain.
Materiality: Storage must be built using local clay, thatch, and recycled materials.
Efficiency: The system must reduce grain loss to less than 5% annually.
Stage 2: Investigation of Related Ideas
2.1 Evidence of Related Ideas
Research focuses on three regional strategies: 1. Food Aid Distribution, 2. Chemical Pest
Control, and 3. Commercial Hybrid Seeds.
2.2 Analysis of Ideas
Idea 1: Food Aid Distribution
o Strength: Prevents immediate starvation during peak drought.
o Weakness: Unsustainable; does not empower the village to produce its own food.
Idea 2: Chemical Pest Control (Dusting)
o Strength: Kills weevils in stored grain effectively.
o Weakness: Chemicals are expensive and can be toxic if improperly handled in the home.
Idea 3: Commercial Hybrid Seeds
o Strength: Extremely high yields in perfect conditions.
o Weakness: High "risk of failure" in Chikwalakwala because hybrids often require more
water than traditional varieties.
Stage 3: Generation of Ideas
3.1 Evidence of Possible Solutions
Solution 1: In-field Water Harvesting (Tied Ridges)
Creating "dams" within crop rows to prevent water runoff and force it into the soil.
Solution 2: Small Grain Processing (Manual Threshers)
Introducing simple mechanical tools to make the processing of sorghum and millet easier for
women.
Solution 3: Hermetic Metal Silos
Using galvanized iron sheets to create airtight drums for grain storage.
3.2 Strengths of Possible Solutions
Tied Ridges: Maximizes every drop of rain; stops soil erosion.
Silos: 100% protection against rodents and insects without using chemicals.
3.3 Weaknesses of Possible Solutions
Tied Ridges: High labor requirement during the planting season.
Silos: Requires specialized soldering skills and expensive metal sheets.
Stage 4: Development of Chosen Idea
4.1 Indication of Chosen Idea
The Integrated Bio-Intensive Garden with Rainwater Harvesting.
4.2 Justification of Choice
This solution addresses both availability (growing the food) and stability (water access). It
uses heritage techniques like Zai pits which are perfectly suited for the hard, dry soils of
Chikwalakwala.
4.3 Development of Idea (3 Refinements)
1. Organic Enrichment: Filling Zai pits with goat manure and leaf litter to create "nutrient
sponges."
2. Windbreaks: Planting indigenous trees around the garden to reduce crop transpiration from
hot winds.
3. Sand Dams: Capturing water in nearby seasonal riverbeds to provide a backup water source
for the garden.
Stage 5: Presentation of Solution
The artifact is a Bio-Intensive Plot Layout. It features deep Zai pits for cereal crops and a
small "Sunken Bed" for vegetables to keep them away from the drying wind.
Stage 6: Evaluation and Recommendations
6.1 Relevance to Statement of Intent
The project directly improves food security by ensuring crops survive mid-season dry spells,
providing both cereal staples and nutritional variety.
6.2 Challenges Encountered
Lack of organic matter (manure) due to livestock being moved far away for grazing.
Initial community skepticism about switching from maize to sorghum.
6.3 Recommendations
Seed Fairs: Organize village events to trade traditional drought-resistant seeds.
Youth Involvement: Train school-leavers in building the water-harvesting structures to
ensure the skills remain in the village.
Stage 3: Generation of Ideas
3.1 Evidence of Possible Solutions
Solution 1: In-field Water Harvesting (Tied Ridges)
This involves creating a grid of ridges and "ties" (cross-walls) in the field to prevent water
from running off the land. It forces rainwater to sink into the soil where it is stored for crop
use.
Solution 2: Small Grain Processing (Manual Threshers)
The introduction of simple mechanical tools to automate the threshing and winnowing of
sorghum and millet. This reduces the heavy manual labor traditionally required by women
and children.
Solution 3: Hermetic Metal Silos
Using airtight galvanized iron drums to store harvested grain. This creates a vacuum-like
environment where pests cannot survive due to a lack of oxygen.
3.2 Strengths of Possible Solutions
Solution 1 (Tied Ridges): Dramatically increases soil moisture levels; reduces soil erosion
during heavy downpours; uses existing farm tools (ploughs or hoes).
Solution 2 (Manual Threshers): Saves significant time; improves the quality of the grain by
reducing contamination from sand and stones; encourages farmers to grow more small grains
because the "workload" is reduced.
Solution 3 (Silos): Provides 100% protection against weevils and rodents; eliminates the
need for expensive and potentially toxic storage chemicals; keeps grain safe for over a year.
3.3 Weaknesses of Possible Solutions
Solution 1 (Tied Ridges): Requires a massive amount of physical labor to construct the
"ties" across a whole field; if not built correctly, they can break and cause localized flooding.
Solution 2 (Manual Threshers): Initial purchase cost can be high for a single household;
moving parts require occasional maintenance and specialized repair if they break.
Solution 3 (Silos): Requires specialized local artisans (tinsmiths) to manufacture them; metal
can become very hot if stored in direct sunlight, which might affect the seed's ability to
germinate later.