IFAW
COMACO
Zambia, 2022
Together with writer Nick Schönfeld, I travelled to eastern Zambia to document a project for IFAW, in partnership with COMACO, that is helping former poachers build new livelihoods. The programme retrains hunters in conservation farming, beekeeping, and market-linked agriculture, and buys produce so harvests reach reliable buyers. These changes have replaced rifles with tools, improved household income and food security, and strengthened stewardship of wildlife and forests.
Transformed poacher Edison M Phiri holds several groundnuts in his hand, Chikomeni, Zambia.
Tackwell stands on the edge of his ground nut field, Mwasemphangwe, Zambia. A former charcoal burner, Tackwell agreed to retrain first as a beekeeper, and later learnt how to farm and rear goats after meeting with COMACO field workers in 2016.
Judith, the wife of transformed poacher Ronald Mwale, holds up several shelled ground nuts, Chipelembe, Zambia.
Transformed poacher Smoke Phiri stands in his maize field, Mwasemphangwe, Zambia. Smoke was a poacher for 20 years and used to kill up to two elephants a week. After being introduced to COMACO in 2003, he decided to retrain as a farmer, and now grows groundnuts and sunflowers, as well as maize.
Transformed poacher, Edison Phiri, outside his home, Chikomeni, Zambia. Edison has 10 children with two wives. They all live in the same family compound.
Grace poses with a pile of soya beans, Chikomeni, Zambia.
Farmer Fainess Ngulube, sits on a bench in her family compound, Mwasemphangwe, Zambia. Fainess lost her husband in 2005, and moved back to her home village after his death. They have 5 children, and the food Fainess grows has to feed 10 people.
Transformed poacher Edison Phiri poses in his groundnut field, Chikomeni, Zambia.
Elita shows off the inside of the shop she has built using some of the money she made by selling her groundnuts to COMACO, Chikomeni, Zambia.