In Tanzania, conflict between wild animals and farmers has become a pressing issue, resulting in crop damage, financial losses, and food scarcity in surrounding communities. Elephants, in particular, have been identified as a major cause of conflict due to their extensive presence across the country. Rombo district in the Kilimanjaro region serves as a stark example. Elephants there destroyed crops valued at 718 million Tanzanian shillings in 2008, leaving farmers devastated exacerbating already precarious food security. Tragically, human-elephant conflicts claim an average of 20 lives every year, underscoring the urgent need for effective solutions.

Human-elephant conflicts are not limited to Rombo district. Communities surrounding the Serengeti and Selous Game Reserve, as well as those near Mikumi, Ruaha, and Tarangire national parks, also face similar challenges. The severity of the damage inflicted by these conflicts varies based on factors such as farm location, proximity to wildlife habitats, availability of food sources for animals, and the effectiveness of preventive measures. In response to these pressing issues, adult education programmes have emerged as a powerful tool to create community awareness and help to find sustainable solutions to the human-elephant conflict. The Community Based Conservation Training Centre (CBCTC) in Lukuyu Sekamaganga, Songea region, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, is being proactive by combining traditional and modern approaches.

Preventing conflicts is crucial to mitigate human-elephant conflicts and protect crops and nearby villages. Approaches that do not harm the elephants have been identified to deter them before they cause significant damage. Methods such as using bright lights, sound amplification, and employing elephant dung mixed with pepper, which emits fumes deterring elephants from invading farmlands, have shown promise. By adopting these non-harmful methods, farmers and villagers can effectively chase away elephants and significantly reduce the risks associated with these conflicts.

However, the role of adult education programmes goes beyond problem solving. These initiatives serve as a catalyst for community empowerment and the exchange of knowledge, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern conservation strategies. By engaging community members in learning initiatives, these programmes create a platform for sharing indigenous knowledge, building capacity, and promoting sustainable practices.

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is another organization working to protect biodiversity. The organization engages local people who depend on the natural environment for their economic, social, and cultural welfare. Climate-smart conservation, sustainable management of natural resources, and conservation-friendly enterprises are powerful tools to reduce the vulnerability of communities in the face of climate change and the threat of wildlife invading farming spaces. Without such sustainable and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on rural communities, Africa’s unique natural assets suffer (Foundation, 2023).

Local communities possess invaluable insights into animal behaviour, habitat management, and sustainable farming practices, which can significantly contribute to wildlife conservation efforts and address food crises. Workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns provide individuals with insights into the consequences of habitat destruction, poaching, and unsustainable farming practices. This knowledge empowers them to become stewards of their environment, ensuring the long-term conservation of wildlife and the availability of food resources for generations to come.

Additionally, harnessing indigenous knowledge enables communities to implement innovative conservation techniques. Traditional farming practices such as agroforestry and polyculture promote biodiversity, restore habitats, and provide food sources for wildlife while enhancing food security for communities. Indigenous tracking methods and ecological indicators contribute to effective wildlife monitoring and protection. By combining these traditional practices with modern approaches through adult education programmes, we can raise community awareness, address critical issues, and pave the way for sustainable wildlife conservation and reliable food supply in regions surrounding national parks, game reserves, and forests.

To achieve successful wildlife conservation and mitigate food crises, collaborative partnerships are essential between adult education institutions, community leaders, conservation organizations, and government agencies. By working together, these stakeholders can create comprehensive programmes that integrate indigenous knowledge, adult education, and conservation efforts, ensuring sustainability.

To complement indigenous efforts, and as part of AWF’s land-use plans, community capacity is being built to adapt to climate change and provide practical solutions so communities have options that work for them. For small-scale farmers, this involves learning new sustainable farming techniques that ensure higher crop yields, promote soil health, retain water, and ultimately increase incomes. By providing alternatives to communities reliant on forests, we help to protect key forest resources while providing benefits to communities and reducing the conflict between wildlife and farming communities. Collecting rainwater also mitigates various social and health impacts, while also improving the community’s capacity for climate change adaptation as droughts become more frequent (African Wildlife Foundation, Climate Change, 2023).

As Tanzania continues its journey towards wildlife conservation and food security, the integration of indigenous knowledge into adult education programs holds immense potential. By embracing traditional wisdom, fostering community awareness, and promoting sustainable practices, biodiversity is safeguarded, natural resources are protected, and a future of abundance for both people and wildlife is ensured.

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Climate Change. 2023. https://www.awf.org/land-protection/climate-change.