Alternative crops to mitigate elephant crop raiding
In rural areas where formal employment is scarce, the majority of households in the Mambwe District rely on subsistence farming and natural resources for their household income. With farming, fishing and hunting comes the inevitable risk of wildlife conflict through crop damage and attacks on livestock or even on farmers themselves.
Since 2009, CSL has worked with farmers to plant and harvest alternative crops that not only bring additional household income but also support human-wildlife coexistence approaches by deterring elephants from damaging crops, such as maize, thereby reducing conflict with farmers. The Human-Wildlife Coexistence team promotes alternative cash crops such as chilli, lemongrass and turmeric which are less attractive to elephants.
Chilli
Chilli farming remains a cornerstone of the human wildlife coexistence strategy at Conservation South Luangwa. Tabasco chillies are a natural and effective deterrent because elephants find the smell, taste, and physical sensation of the plants highly unpleasant. Beyond protection, these crops offer a viable local livelihood for farmers in the region. The human wildlife coexistence team repurposes a portion of the annual harvest for active mitigation measures, including for chilli bombers and the maintenance of smelly fences. These tools remain essential for reducing crop raiding and protecting household food security throughout the year.
To ensure long term success, specialised workshops are conducted to provide farmers with the skills to grow and harvest chilli effectively. In 2025, 451 kilograms of chillies were harvested through supported initiatives. To scale this impact, a train the trainers model was adopted during the year, empowering 15 cooperative members to lead chilli growing initiatives within their own communities. By promoting chilli as both a defensive barrier and a marketable crop, household incomes are strengthened while reinforcing elephant friendly farming practices.
Lemongrass and turmeric
Since 2021, CSL has continued to develop alternative sustainable farming models that reduce conflict with elephants by growing and harvesting lemongrass and turmeric. Lemongrass is an aromatic and tall sedge and when elephants come into direct contact with it, oil is extracted from the leaves and the scent drives them away. Throughout the year, workshops are held with farmers to help them to grow and harvest both crops successfully.
Packaged products
In 2023, local community cooperatives packaged their elephant-friendly alternative crop products (dried chilli, lemongrass and turmeric) to be sold from the Tribal Textiles shop in Mfuwe.
Image credits: Mjose Jozie