New deal on smart crops tackles human wildlife conflict

From the newsletter

A new conservation initiative supporting communities in Northern Malawi and Eastern Zambia deploys wildlife-resilient crops to end frequent conflict between humans and wildlife. The project will also protect cropland and improve food security by helping residents manage interference from elephants, hippos and other animals by using deterrents, early-warning systems and alternative farming approaches.

• This aligns conservation with community needs while discouraging wildlife from entering fields through crop selection.

• Wildlife-resilient crops, also known as Human-Wildlife Conflict Smart Crops, are varieties less attractive or accessible to wildlife.

More details

• The Human-Wildlife Co-habitation Project will be jointly implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and Total Land Care in the Malawi-Zambia Trans-Frontier Conservation Area. Funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through KfW, this project falls under the Southern African Development Community's Trans-Frontier Conservation Area Financing Facility.

• The project aims to reduce incidents of human-wildlife co-habitation in the buffer zones and Game Management Areas surrounding Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Malawi and Musalangu Game Management Area in Zambia. Between 2019 and 2022, Vwaza Marsh reported an average of 888 incidents annually, while Musalangu averaged 489. The consequences of these incidents include crop loss, food insecurity and threats to human safety.

• Running from 29 May 2025 to 31 May 2028, the project has two primary objectives. First, it seeks to reduce co-habitation incidents and enhance food security by expanding protected cropland, sharing relevant data and involving local communities in risk management. Second, it aims to increase household income by improving access to markets for conflict-resilient crops that are less appealing to wildlife. At least 34,586 farm households across several chiefdoms within the Malawi-Zambia Trans-Frontier Conservation Area will benefit directly from these efforts.

• Wildlife-resilient crops are increasingly recognised as an effective solution to the widespread issue of crop raiding in Sub-Saharan Africa. These include chilli, sunflower, ginger and garlic, which are less attractive to animals such as elephants, baboons and bush pigs, species known for causing significant damage to food and cash crops. Research shows that animals often avoid these crops due to their strong scent, texture, or irritant properties, making them ideal for cultivation in high-conflict areas.

• Crop raiding has been associated with up to 90% of crop damage in certain regions, especially near protected areas where wildlife seeks food in farms. The economic impact on subsistence farmers is severe, with reports of families losing entire harvests overnight. This leads to food insecurity, diminished incomes and increased reliance on aid. For example, in Uganda, crop losses near Kibale National Park were estimated at $100 per kilometre of boundary annually. By incorporating wildlife-resilient crops into farming practices, households can adopt a low-cost, non-lethal method to safeguard their livelihoods while preventing conflict escalation.

• These crops can be marketed in niche or regional markets, providing cash income where traditional crops may fail due to wildlife threats. For instance, dried chilli is sought after both locally and internationally and can be utilised for consumption as well as wildlife deterrent products, such as "chilli bricks." These bricks, made from a mixture of chilli and animal dung, produce a pungent smoke that repels elephants and have been effectively employed in areas like Zimbabwe. This multi-use approach not only promotes food and income security but also supports conservation efforts by alleviating pressure on protected wildlife species.

Our take

• This shift towards wildlife-resilient crops is a financial necessity, as human-wildlife conflict in Africa incurs significant costs. In Kenya, for instance, the government paid out $6.2 million in 2023 to compensate for deaths, injuries, and losses of crops or livestock, with an additional $39 million in claims still pending.

• In Tanzania, researchers estimated that wildlife causes annual crop losses of approximately $489,000 and livestock losses of $17,600 in communities surrounding the Serengeti District and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

• A study in Zambia revealed that agricultural losses due to wildlife reached $8,000, while the government faced a revenue loss of $191,000 from the control and removal of problematic animals.