Restoring Zambia’s Landscapes: How World Vision and Copperbelt University Are Scaling FMNR for a Sustainable Future
For decades, deforestation and soil degradation have threatened Zambia’s agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. But through a groundbreaking partnership between World Vision Zambia and The Copperbelt University (CBU), the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) model is proving that simple, low-cost solutions can have a transformative impact.
World Vision Zambia has always believed that partnerships are the cornerstone of sustainable development. Our collaboration with The Copperbelt University (CBU) on the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) model represents a significant step toward achieving lasting environmental restoration and resilience in Zambia. Signed in 2024, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CBU has laid the groundwork for groundbreaking initiatives that integrate academic excellence with on-the-ground implementation.
Through this partnership, we have been able to combine CBU’s research expertise with our practical experience in community engagement to restore degraded landscapes and empower local communities. FMNR has already transformed the lives of many Zambians by improving soil fertility, increasing agricultural yields, and boosting household incomes. This partnership amplifies these efforts by incorporating cutting-edge research to refine techniques, monitor progress, and ensure long-term success.
The Value of Academic Institutions in FMNR
Tony Rinaudo, renowned environmentalist and FMNR pioneer, emphasized the critical role of academic institutions in scaling impactful solutions. He stated, “The world is facing an urgent challenge to restore degraded landscapes rapidly to provide food and water, protect biodiversity, and mitigate worsening climate impacts. To achieve this at the necessary pace, collaboration across all sectors is essential.”
He further added, “Academic institutions play a critical role in this effort. They help us understand what is needed, how to restore health and productivity to communities and landscapes, demonstrate the impacts of our actions, and provide evidence to support further investment in impactful solutions. Partnerships with local academic institutions, such as Copperbelt University, are invaluable. The knowledge, skills, and expertise developed through these collaborations remain within the local community and country. Students and staff from the community bring firsthand knowledge of the landscape and its challenges, which significantly enhances the research and the applicability and impact of the results. Such relationships are crucial for effectively scaling solutions like FMNR to the areas where they are needed most.”
Marvin Mpola, World Vision Zambia’s Project Manager for Sustainable Land Restoration, also highlighted the importance of this partnership: “The importance of this partnership will enable the generation of knowledge on FMNR in Zambia to inform evidence-based decision making for policy and practice towards restoring degraded landscapes. This partnership will help both parties work towards achieving the following:
Enhanced Understanding of FMNR Benefits: Independent research conducted by CBU will provide data on the ecological, social, and economic impacts of FMNR, such as improved soil fertility, increased biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and livelihood benefits. Success stories and challenges documented will strengthen advocacy for FMNR adoption.
Informed Decision-Making: A robust evidence base will enable World Vision, national policymakers, donors, and community leaders to make informed decisions about integrating FMNR into agricultural, forestry, and environmental strategies. It will also help advocate for policy shifts to enable FMNR and other restoration techniques to thrive within the Zambian context.
Improved Practices: Collaboration with university researchers, both students and staff, will aid in identifying best practices, innovations, and context-specific adaptations to enhance FMNR effectiveness.
Scaling and Replication: Evidence supporting FMNR as a low-cost, replicable restoration technique will help develop scalable models for wider adoption, extending beyond Chibombo, Katete, and Sinda to the entire country.
Community Engagement and Buy-In: Research findings shared in accessible ways will influence communities to adopt FMNR by showcasing tangible benefits.
Attracting Funding and Partnerships: A strong evidence base will attract investment and support from government and international donors by demonstrating the impact and cost-effectiveness of FMNR.”
Insights from The Copperbelt University
Prof. Felix Kalaba of The Copperbelt University shared insights into the collaboration: “Since the MoU was signed, CBU staff, led by myself and the project team under Henry Chanda, conducted a field visit to Chibombo, Katete, and Sinda to appreciate what has been done on the ground and identify potential research gaps. The goal is to develop protocols and conduct research that will:
Generate robust evidence to support FMNR scaling.
Demonstrate improved crop yields, water retention, carbon sequestration, land restoration, and nature-based livelihoods linked to FMNR.
Promote FMNR adoption among NGOs as a key restoration technique.
Embed FMNR into national policies and gain recognition under Zambia’s Climate Change Act.
Prove FMNR as a cost-effective, replicable land restoration technique.”
Success Stories from the FMNR Collaboration
In just one year, our partnership with CBU has yielded impressive results. For example, in Mpika District, where FMNR is actively practiced, communities have reported a significant increase in tree cover, which has improved soil quality and water retention. Farmers like Mrs. Naomi Mwansa have shared how adopting FMNR techniques has revitalized their farmlands, enabling them to grow diverse crops and secure better livelihoods.
The collaboration has also fostered community education. CBU students and faculty have been actively involved in training local farmers, creating a ripple effect that ensures the knowledge and benefits of FMNR are widely shared. This integration of academic and community efforts is paving the way for sustainable land management practices that can be replicated across Zambia.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, World Vision Zambia remains committed to strengthening this partnership with The Copperbelt University and exploring new opportunities to expand FMNR across the country. Together, we can continue to restore degraded landscapes, combat climate change, and empower communities to build resilient futures.
We invite more stakeholders—academic institutions, private sector players, and government agencies—to join us in this mission. By working together, we can achieve the transformative impact needed to create a sustainable Zambia for generations to come.