From demonstration plot to community movement: The agricultural transformation of Macunhe

The transformation began with the creation of a producer group directly supported by the project. Members received training, agricultural inputs, and improved planting materials. They introduced sweet potato cultivation in an area that had previously been undervalued by the community. 

As farmers began applying newly acquired skills, the results quickly became visible. The first harvests demonstrated that higher yields were achievable through simple but effective climate-smart farming practices.  Farmers realized that drought impacts and climate variability could be partially mitigated through the adoption of improved agricultural techniques and more resilient crop varieties. 

The success of these early pioneers soon attracted the attention of neighbouring households. 

What started as a project intervention soon evolved into something much larger: a genuine community-driven movement.

Encouraged by the visible results, community members who were not initially involved decided to organize themselves and establish a second farmer group entirely on their own initiative. Unlike the original group, this new group was not created by the project. It emerged organically from the community, inspired by the evidence of success seen among the first beneficiaries. Even more remarkable was the role played by the original participants. They became local champions and knowledge multipliers, sharing techniques, experiences, and practical guidance with new members. Knowledge was no longer flowing only from project technicians; it was being transferred from farmer to farmer. At the same time, sweet potato vines were continuously multiplied and distributed among households, expanding both production areas and the number of beneficiaries.

Results that matter

The introduction of sweet potato production has generated significant positive changes in the lives of participating households and the wider community. Families are now producing larger quantities of sweet potatoes for their own consumption, contributing to more diverse and nutritious diets and improving household food security. At the same time, surplus production is being sold in local markets, creating an additional source of income that families use to cover essential needs such as food, school materials, healthcare, and other household expenses. Beyond the economic benefits, the initiative has strengthened social cohesion and collective action within the community. 

Farmers increasingly work together, exchange experiences, and support one another in addressing common challenges. This growing sense of cooperation has contributed to the spontaneous formation of a second producer group, demonstrating strong local ownership, confidence in the intervention, and willingness to expand the practice beyond the original beneficiaries. The project has also facilitated the spread of knowledge and innovation throughout the community. Early participants have become mentors for other, sharing their experiences and encouraging the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices. As a result, the sweet potato vines initially distributed through the project continue to be multiplied and shared among households, enabling the expansion of production without ongoing dependence on external support.

Community members report that the benefits extend far beyond increased agricultural production. Improved access to nutritious food, reduced expenditure on food purchases, and increased household income have enhanced overall well-being and strengthened household economies. Farmers are investing more time and resources in cultivation because they are now able to see clear and tangible returns from their efforts. Most importantly, the experience has built confidence within the community in its ability to adapt to climate change, overcome challenges, and develop sustainable solutions based on local knowledge, resources, and collective action.

Voices from the community

“Before, we worked without direction and did not realize how much potential our land had. Today, we produce, consume, and sell. What we have learned is helping the entire community.”

Another farmer reflected: “The results were so good that other people decided to create a new group. Now we are the ones teaching other farmers and sharing the techniques we learned.”

Sustainability beyond the project

The Macunhe experience demonstrates strong signs of long-term sustainability. Farmers continue to multiply planting material, expand cultivated areas, and share knowledge across producer groups. The spontaneous creation of additional farmer groups indicates that the initiative has moved beyond dependence on external support. Community members have also expressed interest in diversifying production and applying climate-resilient practices to other crops, building on the skills and experience gained through the project.

Key lesson learned

The story of Macunhe demonstrates that sustainable development is not achieved solely through the distribution of inputs or the introduction of new technologies. Long-lasting impact occurs when communities take ownership of interventions and become active drivers of change. When beneficiaries evolve from recipients of support into knowledge multipliers, a powerful ripple effect is created, one that extends benefits far beyond the project's original targets.

Macunhe shows that investing in local capacity, community organization, and practical learning is one of the most effective pathways to building climate resilience, strengthening livelihoods, and enhancing sustainable rural development.

The Community-based Adaptation: Scaling-up Community Action for Livelihoods and Ecosystems (CBA SCALE+) project is implemented by a consortium led by CARE Deutschland along with IUCN, FANRPAN, IISD and local partners, with financial support from The International Climate Initiative (IKI).