One of the major innovation plans going on in Northern Province is the TRALARD(TRANSFORMING LANDSCAPES FOR RESILIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT) project. TRALARD is a project initiative that is meant to improve natural resource management in the northern region of Zambia to support sustainable livelihoods, and in the event of an eligible crisis or emergency, to provide immediate and effective response to the eligible crisis or emergency.

Project Genesis: Unveiling the Origins and Vision

Since 2013, Zambia has been running the World Bank-supported Zambia Strengthening Climate Resilience (PPCR II — Pilot Program for Climate Resilience II) Project, aimed at enhancing the country’s climate resilience framework. Focused on the Barotse and Kafue Sub-Basins, the project boosts the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities through investments in participatory adaptation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and support for agriculture, water, livestock, fisheries, natural resources, and climate information services. It strengthens national climate resilience institutions and integrates climate risk into local development and livelihood decisions. Lessons learned from PPCR’s work in various provinces have informed the design of TRALARD, a 5-year project (2019-2024) focused on Zambia’s Northern Region.

It comprises 4 components namely:
i.) Promoting diversified, resilient, sustainable livelihoods

ii.) Management of protected areas,

iii.) Project management, coordination, and monitoring 

iv.) Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC).

The project is designed to achieve the following upon completion:

1.) Enhanced resilience resulting from mainstreamed land and forest management policies

2.) Effective adaptation-oriented measures through increased technical capacity

3.) Enhanced adaptive capacity in communities through awareness of natural resource management and climate change and knowledge of adaptation/mitigation measures

4.) Transformative capacity in resilience through diversified livelihoods, improved value chains and sound NRM

5.) Vibrant, healthy protected areas preserving ecosystems and increased number of new development opportunities

6.) Absorptive and adaptive capacity of communities is reinforced through restored and advanced infrastructure

7.) Transformative capacity of communities is strengthened through diversified value chains and expanded market connections

Project Beneficiaries

The TRALARD project will support 976,000 people in rural areas across 16 districts in Phase 1.
The main beneficiaries are those reliant on; rain-fed agriculture, fishing, and natural resources, particularly around Nsumbu, Mweru Wantipa, Lusenga, and Lavushimanda National Parks.

Other Beneficiaries include:

Individuals: They will gain from improved agricultural and agroforestry activities, better climate forecasting, enhanced infrastructure, and job creation, especially in construction.

Cooperative and Community Groups: Smallholder farmers, including women, men, and youth engaged in subsistence farming, will benefit from organizational support and capacity-building for both cooperative and commercial ventures.

Private Firms and Enterprises: Traders, distributors, processors, and financial service providers will receive support to access market opportunities and enhance business operations.

The project incorporates gender considerations to ensure equitable benefits for both women and men, and it aims to deliver tangible outcomes such as infrastructure, training, improved forest management, enhanced livelihoods, and better planning for sustainable use of resources.