By Wallace Mawire
In the rugged terrain of Nyaminyami, where predators once roamed freely and livestock losses were a painful norm, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway.
Thanks to the Wildlife Conservation Action (WCA), communities are not only protecting their small livestock but reclaiming their dignity, resilience, and economic independence.
To date, 465 raised kraals have been constructed across the district, shielding 5,580 goats and sheep from predation. Of these, 350 were built with the support of Community Guardians (CGs), while an impressive 115 were self-constructed by farmers who have embraced the model.
The cumulative value of protected livestock now stands at US$139,500, a figure that speaks volumes about the impact of this intervention. “This isn’t just about kraals—it’s about community empowerment,” said Farai Nhekairo, WCA’s Climate-Smart Livelihoods program officer.
“We believe that the solutions to conservation and development challenges must come from within. That’s why we work through Community Guardians local champions who are capacitated with the knowledge to promote coexistence and help their neighbors build and maintain these elevated kraals.”
The Community Guardians, drawn from within Nyaminyami’s villages, are the backbone of the initiative. Trained in sustainable livestock management and predator deterrence, they serve as trusted advisors and hands-on builders, ensuring that the intervention is not only technically sound but socially rooted.
For Mr. Japhet Chagamba, a farmer from Kasvisva village, the impact has been lifechanging.
“Before the raised kraals, I lost goats every month to hyenas. Now, my animals are safe, and I’ve sold some to buy roofing sheets for my house. I even built my own kraal after learning from the Guardians,” he said with a smile.
The fact that 25% of the kraals were built independently by farmers is a clear sign of the project’s multiplier effect. Knowledge is spreading, and with it, a sense of ownership and pride.
Nyaminyami’s Rural District Council (RDC) has praised the initiative for its alignment with local development goals.
Mr Henry Varandeni, the RDC’s Environment Officer noted, “WCA’s approach is exemplary. By investing in local capacity through the Community Guardians, they’ve created a sustainable model. We’re seeing real change economic, environmental, and social.”
Beyond the numbers, the raised kraals symbolize a deeper shift. Families are now more food secure, able to generate income from livestock sales, and better equipped to withstand shocks. The kraals have become a foundation for resilience and a beacon of what community-led development can achieve. As one elder from the area put it, “These kraals are not just for goats. They are for our future.”
