In rural Botswana, a new vision for community development is taking root. The Roots of Renewal project, implemented by Terra Conservancy Operations (Pty) Ltd, is helping three women establish indigenous tree nurseries in their villages. Marea Kwapa of Lentswe-le-moriti, Elisa Mokgadi Aphiri of Mathathane, and Lady Nyamakonde of Motlhabaneng are at the centre of this initiative, which aims to connect environmental restoration with income-generating opportunities and a more sustainable future.
The Roots of Renewal—Molema Land Rehabilitation Project—has established three greenhouse nurseries in the participating villages, with sponsorship support from Okavango Diamond Company (ODC). This initiative places rural women at the heart of a practical approach to conservation, recognising their potential not only as environmental stewards but also as producers, suppliers, and entrepreneurs. The nurseries provide a platform for the women to develop practical skills in indigenous tree production while contributing to the rehabilitation of their surrounding landscapes.
The project is built on the understanding that land rehabilitation can create economic opportunities when local communities participate in producing the resources required. Indigenous trees can support biodiversity, protect soil, and contribute to the recovery of degraded landscapes. Successful rehabilitation requires suitable seedlings, skilled growers, careful planting, and continued maintenance. This creates opportunities for rural communities to supply trees and related services to conservation programmes, private companies, and other organisations undertaking environmental restoration.
The project has identified a plan to purchase 1,500 trees from participating women. By connecting tree production to potential market demand, Roots of Renewal aims to create a pathway through which conservation activities can support local enterprise and income generation. For the three women, the longer-term opportunity is to strengthen their productive capacity, develop business experience, and participate in a model that could eventually benefit more women in other communities.
The emerging green economy is often associated with renewable energy, climate finance, and major infrastructure investments. Yet rural communities can also participate through indigenous tree production, land restoration, and sustainable natural resource management. Under a woman-led model, a nursery can become more than a place where seedlings grow. It can develop into a small rural enterprise, creating opportunities to supply trees, build business skills, and retain more economic value within the community.
For these enterprises to become sustainable, women need access to technical training, reliable markets, fair purchasing arrangements, and business management skills. Understanding production costs, calculating profit margins, and keeping accurate records will be essential to turning nursery operations into viable businesses. Roots of Renewal therefore offers an opportunity to connect environmental restoration with practical economic empowerment, helping women become active participants in the activities their communities need.
The success of the project will depend on more than the number of seedlings produced. Trees must be suited to local conditions and protected after planting to improve their chances of survival. The project’s expansion vision includes increasing participation beyond the initial three women, with plans identifying the potential to involve 15 women and, in a later phase, 30 women. If these foundations are established, the initiative could provide a model for other rural communities seeking to combine conservation with enterprise development.
Key points
- The Roots of Renewal project is empowering rural women through environmental restoration and income-generating opportunities.
- The project aims to create a pathway through which conservation activities can support local enterprise and income generation.
- The initiative could provide a model for other rural communities seeking to combine conservation with enterprise development.
