MVOMERO, Tanzania, Sep 24 (IPS) – Under the blazing sun of Mikese village in Tanzania’s eastern Mvomero district, 31-year-old Maria Naeku tirelessly tends her small vegetable garden. The red soil stains her hands each time she pulls weeds as she channels a trickle of water from a maze of pipes through a raised bed to nourish her plants. In a drought-stricken area, Naeku’s small garden is a lifeline for her family, providing them with food and income.
“When the drought hit, our cattle died and we couldn’t get milk for the kids,” Naeku says. “I knew I had to find a way to feed my family, so I had to grow vegetables.”
The drip irrigation technique, in which a network of pipes with tiny holes sprays water directly onto the plant in a fraction of a second, was new to her, but she gave it a try. “I didn’t know how tiny droplets of water could nourish crops,” she says. “But when I saw green leaves sprouting from the ground, I knew I had a brighter future.”
Naeku quickly became an expert, her success inspiring other women in the village to follow her lead. The Maasai, traditionally known for their cattle herding, a symbol of wealth and security, are increasingly adopting climate-smart agriculture to cope with drought as rainfall has become erratic due to climate change. Women like Naeku, who once relied entirely on these herds, have been forced to adopt innovative farming techniques to survive.
Shattering the Patriarchy
In Maasai culture, men have long held the power, while women were relegated to the roles of caregivers and homemakers. Decision-making, particularly over land and livestock, has traditionally been the exclusive domain of men. However, severe droughts have changed this dynamic. With their livestock dwindling and their families going hungry, Maasai women have begun to take on roles once reserved for men, embracing climate-smart agriculture as an alternative means of survival.
“We are no longer just caregivers for our families,” says 34-year-old Nasarian Lengai, a mother of five who has become a local champion for horticulture in Mikese. “We are decision-makers who shape the future of our community.”
Lengai was initially skeptical, but is a firm believer in horticulture using organic farming methods. “When I first heard about these methods, I didn’t think they would work for us,” she says. “But after seeing how much better my crops are now, I know for sure that this is the way to go.”
For centuries, the Maasai depended on cattle for their food: milk, meat and even blood. The transition to agriculture was a major change from their old ways.
“We used to think that having a lot of cattle was the only way to maintain prosperity and ensure security,” says Esuvat Joseph, who leads the Tupendane Maasai women’s group in Mikese village. “But now we understand that we have to deal with drought. We have learned to keep less cattle and focus more on agriculture.”
The Tupendane group has also embraced water-saving techniques, building ground reservoirs to collect rainwater. “This water is very important,” she explains. “We use it for irrigation when the rivers dry up.”
Climate-smart solutions
The adoption of climate-smart agriculture by Maasai women is not only a response to immediate needs, but also a strategy for long-term resilience. Through initiatives supported by Norwegian Church Aid, an international charity, these women are learning to diversify their income sources, reduce their dependence on livestock, and embrace sustainable horticultural practices.
“We teach these women how to make the most of their small plots of land,” explains Oscar John, the program manager at Norwegian Church Aid. “By diversifying their income sources, they are less dependent on livestock, which is increasingly vulnerable to drought.”
Conservation agriculture is an important part of this initiative and promotes sustainable farming techniques that improve soil health and increase crop yields without depleting natural resources.
For the women of Mvomero, this is a divine plan. They learn how to grow drought-resistant crops, rotate their fields and use organic fertilizers, all of which contribute to better harvests.
As more women embrace climate-smart agriculture, the effects are being felt in neighboring villages. Women who were initially skeptical of these new methods are now seeing the success in Mvomero and are beginning to learn these practices in their own drought-stricken areas.
Empowerment in action
The shift from livestock to crop farming has had a huge impact on the social dynamics within the Maasai community. Women, once marginalized from decision-making processes, are now taking the lead in managing their families’ resources. This newfound empowerment is improving their social and economic status while challenging the patriarchal norms that have long defined their society.
“We’ve always been taught that men are the decision makers,” Lengai says. “But now we’re showing that women can lead too. We can take care of our families and make better decisions.”
This sense of empowerment is evident in the way the women of Mvomero approach their work. They tend to their crops and build a future where their voices are heard and their contributions are valued. For example, building rainwater harvesting systems is a task these women have taken on with pride. “We don’t wait for our husbands to do it; we build these reservoirs ourselves,” says Joseph. “It’s our way of showing that we can take care of ourselves.”
Men in the community are recognizing the changing gender roles and some are beginning to appreciate the benefits of shared decision-making. While there is still resistance, the success of these women is slowly changing attitudes. As the benefits of climate-smart agriculture become clearer, more men are joining their wives in these efforts and working together to secure a better future for their families.
Challenges on the horizon
The transition from livestock to crop farming is not without its challenges, especially for a community that has long measured wealth by the size of its herds. “There are still people who resist change,” Joseph admits. “They see farming as a secondary activity compared to livestock. But as more of us become successful, the mindset is changing.”
The path to fully embracing these new practices is slow, and the women of Mvomero know their success is just the beginning. They face many challenges, including the risk of drought and strong cultural norms that shape gender roles in Maasai society.
But the women are strong. They know that their efforts are not only aimed at overcoming the ongoing crisis, but also at creating a better future for their children.
“We are planting the seeds of change,” Naeku says. “Our daughters will grow up knowing that they can be anything they want to be. They will see that women can lead, that we can innovate, that we can solve all the problems.”
A model for the future
The success of the Maasai women in Mvomero is beginning to attract attention from other drought-stricken areas in Tanzania. Development organizations and government agencies are taking note of the community’s innovative approach and exploring ways to replicate it in other regions facing similar challenges.
“We see this as a model that can be adapted and implemented in other parts of the country,” says John. “The key is to empower communities, particularly women, to take control of their resources and livelihoods. When people are given the tools and knowledge they need, they can achieve incredible things.”
As Maasai women in pastoral communities forge ahead, they are not only securing their own futures, but also creating stronger, more just societies. Their journey demonstrates determination, innovation, and empowerment: a true example of the power of women to overcome challenges.
In the Maasai steppe of Tanzania, where the future of pastoral communities is uncertain, these women show that with the right support, even the most marginalized people can overcome their challenges and lead better lives.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
