Zimbabwe’s Chiefs Take Charge of Miombo Woodland Restoration with FAO Support
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Zimbabwe’s Forestry Commission and Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, has concluded a week‑long series of capacity‑building workshops to empower traditional leaders in restoring and sustainably managing Miombo woodlands in Mudzi and Rushinga districts.
Held from 9–13 February, the workshops trained over 200 Chiefs, Headmen, Village Heads, and Community Resource Monitors, equipping them with technical, legal, and governance skills to strengthen local natural resource management.
The initiative is part of the USD 5 million Zimbabwe–Mozambique Transboundary Integrated Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands Project, funded by the Italian Government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
“Traditional leaders are custodians of rural livelihoods and landscapes. Their involvement is therefore strategic to the success of the national Miombo restoration agenda in Southern Africa,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa.
Workshops highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge, including customary land-use practices, seasonal indicators, and cultural norms, as a foundation for sustainable woodland conservation. Leaders were encouraged to exercise their authority under the Traditional Leaders Act, enforce local and national forestry laws, and promote community participation in rule-making.
“The Forestry Commission’s role is not only to provide technical guidance, but also to ensure communities understand the legal frameworks protecting our forests,” explained Lucious Mujuru, Provincial Forestry Extension Manager.
Traditional leaders also committed to transparency in land allocation and pledged to support Resource Management Committees in each ward, tasked with monitoring natural resource use, developing locally appropriate regulations, and supporting enforcement efforts.
The workshops incorporated sessions on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), recognising the pivotal role of traditional leaders in safeguarding vulnerable community members. “By equipping Chiefs and Village Heads with PSEA knowledge, FAO reinforces community trust and the integrity of the Miombo restoration initiative,” said Leticia Njowola, FAO PSEA Country Focal Point.
Participants expressed optimism about the project’s impact on both ecosystems and livelihoods. “This project will benefit my community and improve our livelihoods through the Miombo woodlands. I will intensify my leadership to support the resource monitoring committees in my wards,” said Chief Mukota, Mudzi district. Chioniso Chichovhe, Village Headwoman, added: “I now feel empowered to play a critical role in restoring our environment, breaking traditional gender barriers in conservation.”
Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of the AICS Maputo Office, emphasised that “Miombo woodlands, often described as the ecological ‘lungs’ of Southern Africa, can only be preserved through active engagement and leadership of local communities.”
The project will continue to strengthen existing Resource Management Committees and establish new ones, providing practical training in forest inventory, seedling production, tree planting, fire management, and sustainable use of Non-Timber Forest Products such as baobab and marula, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits for communities.
