CLIMATE CONSORTIUM CHAMPIONS AGROECOLOGY

By HAPPY MULOLANI

WITH the ever changing climatic conditions suchas high temperatures, droughts, floods, among other factors, the need forconcerted efforts to mitigate these effects is a priority.

In Zambia, these climatic shocks emanate fromthe type of agriculture practised over the years which has witnessed over-useand application of chemical fertilisers. Sadly, these fertilisers have resultedin soil infertility thereby leading to a reduction in crop productivity.

Fertiliser application has been increasing aswell as area under cultivation. Unfortunately, the high increase of fertiliserdoes not correspond to the yields due to the loss of soil nutrient content.

PELUM Zambia Programme Officer, Wilfred Migaexplained that fertilisers are a problem to the environment. This calls for theold way of farming which enriches the soils and reduce diseases.

Mr Miga observed that this type of agriculturehas also led to a loss of biodiversity thereby negatively impacting oncommunities and also a loss of cultural heritage.

“There is need to go back to the old system ofagriculture which builds soils and nutrient content and never relies onchemical fertilisers,” he categorically stated.

This scenario presents a gloomy picture whichneeds to be promptly addressed. The only remedy is to adopt a system ofagriculture which is sustainable and builds resilience, food sovereignty,justice and livelihoods in Zambia.

This position led to a Consortium of Technical Teamto devise various mechanisms to address these effects focused on engagingcommunities especially rural communities whose livelihood is primarily centredon agriculture production. The rationale is to involve the local leadership toinfluence communities to change their ways of cultivation or type ofagriculture practised. The consortium also endeavours to formulate a strategyin collaboration with government. The idea is to involve chiefs to be advocatesin the communities and also engage Members of Parliament as well as allstakeholders in resolving climate change.

Recently, a meeting was held for the House ofChiefs at Mulungushi International Conference Centre facilitated by theConsortium. The objective of the meeting was to engage the Chiefs to help influencetheir communities to adopt Agroecology as a much more sustainable way ofpractising agriculture in their communities.

In its continued efforts, Zambia Climate ChangeNetwork, Programme Officer Lydia Chitambo explained that agroecology was a morerobust approach which works with nature and not against nature.  

“Agroecology is a people-centric system ofsustainable agriculture and a social justice movement driven by local farmersand other food producers to maintain power over their local food systems,protect their livelihoods and communities, and defend every [person's] right tonutritious and diverse food…Uniting generations of indigenous knowledge,farmer-driven and science-based innovation, and an ecosystem's naturalprocesses, agroecological food systemscan adapt to and even solve the climate crisis,” Ms Chitambo said.

Proprietor Grass Roots Trust, Rollf Shenton advisedcommunities to adopt some of the suggested agroecology solutions, as they arenumerous benefits associated with this approach. He further attested to amyriad of benefits of managing forests by supporting bee-keeping and forestproducts, which impacts on their livelihoods.

Professor Shenton who is an advocate ofagroecology, emphasized on the need to desist from practises such asdeforestation in order to avoid depleting soil nutrients.

“To achieveagroecology practises which are sustainable requires to adhere to strictdecision making,” Professor Shenton reiterated.

His Royal Highness Chief Mabumba of the Aushi people of Mansadistrict in Luapula province, appreciates the consortium’s interventions and knowledgesharing platform aimed at addressing a range of agriculture practises which areunsustainable, which has led to a loss of cultural heritage and diversity intheir communities.

Chief Mabumba acknowledges the promotion of natural remedies of preserving the land and restoring nutrientsas a solution aimed at deriving tangible benefits for the community.

The Chief admits that various practises by hissubjects have rendered the soil infertile in most parts but with theagroecology approach, it was clear local solutions are more progressive as theyare environmentally friendly.

Clearly, the engagement of the consortium withthe local leadership will influence rural communities farming practises. It is envisioned that through the Chiefs leadershipand participation, the level of awareness and adoption of sustainableagriculture practices will be heightened and help restore biodiversity andcultural heritage. -NAIS

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