Lead organisation: Sokoine University of Agriculture
Country: Tanzania
The project will introduce a nature-positive, climate-resilient solution for rodent control by harnessing the ecological role of barn owls. It aims to conduct awareness campaigns and participatory training to educate farmers on the ecological benefits of owls, establish owl-friendly environments with artificial nest boxes, and restore habitats. By reducing crop damage and promoting sustainable farming practices, this initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce reliance on rodenticide use, and increase resilience to climate change.
Implementation will be carried out in collaboration with agricultural extension officers, local governments, research institutions such as the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and NGO’s such as Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT). The project will be piloted in key districts of the Mbeya region and then scaled to similar agroecological zones based on its success