Recent field workshops in Mukuni Village marked an important new phase of the Challenge Fund project “Women Scientist to Women Farmers: Hydrogel Innovation for Green Future”, moving research and innovation firmly into practice.
The activities brought together women from the Booma Women Cooperative and community members for hands-on training focused on climate-smart tree planting in drought-prone conditions. A central element of the workshops was field research on the use of hydrogel technology, which helps retain soil moisture around seedlings, reduce water stress, and improve survival rates during early growth.
The workshops were led by Kamila Hejlikova Tembo and Natálie Holesova. The project is implemented in partnership with Mendel University in Brno, whose experts delivered the technical trainings and guided the research process on the ground. From land preparation and correct planting techniques to early seedling care, participants worked side by side with researchers to test practical solutions that respond directly to local climate challenges.
The newly produced video from the workshops captures this collaboration in action. It documents how scientific knowledge is translated into accessible, field-based practices, and how women play a central role in restoring degraded landscapes while strengthening their own livelihoods. By combining innovation with local leadership, the project is generating evidence that small, targeted interventions can have long-term environmental impact.
Beyond tree planting itself, the workshops also served as a platform for knowledge exchange and community engagement. Working directly in the field allowed participants to observe how hydrogel behaves in real soil conditions and to discuss its potential for wider application in dry environments.
This project is implemented through the Czech-UNDP Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals, via the Czech Challenge Fund, and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
