Publications

Analysis of agricultural activities in the Better
Life Alliance (BLA) project in Zambia showed
potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
(GHG), mostly (85%) due to avoided savanna
degradation and conversion. The GHG impact
due to BLA’s interventions is estimated at
–902,531 tCO2e/yr, equivalent to saving
2,089,550 barrels of oil.
 BLA’s business model linked prevention of
degradation and conversion of shrubland to
market-based incentives for agricultural crops,
thereby providing farmers with economic
incentives for conservation and climate change
mitigation.
 BLA promoted a comprehensive approach to soil
fertility management. It promoted agroecological
approaches such as recycling farm
organic resources, planting nitrogen-fixing trees,
minimal tillage, and cover crops.
 BLA reduced postharvest loss (PHL) through
improved product processing, storage, and
packaging. Changes in PHL were estimated for
groundnuts (–100%), maize (–40%), rice
(–80%), and soybeans (–67%), which
contributed to decreases in emission intensity
(GHG emissions per unit of production) for each
of these products.