CLIMATE CONSORTIUM CHAMPIONS AGROECOLOGY

By HAPPY MULOLANI

WITH the ever-changing climatic conditions such as high temperatures, droughts, floods, among other factors, the need for concerted efforts to mitigate these effects is a priority.

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

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

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

Mr. Miga observed that this type of agriculture has also led to a loss of biodiversity there by negatively impacting on communities and also a loss of cultural heritage.

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

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

This position led to a Consortium of Technical Team to devise various mechanisms to address these effects focused on engaging communities especially rural communities whose livelihood is primarily centred on agriculture production. The rationale is to involve the local leadership to influence communities to change their ways of cultivation or type of agriculture practiced.

The consortium also endeavours to formulate a strategy in collaboration with government. The idea is to involve chiefs to be advocates in the communities and also engage Members of Parliament as well as all stakeholders in resolving climate change.

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

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

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

Proprietor Grass Roots Trust, Rollf Shenton advised communities to adopt some of the suggested agroecology solutions, as they are numerous benefits associated with this approach. He further attested to a myriad of benefits of managing forests by supporting bee-keeping and forest products, which impacts on their livelihoods.  

Professor Shenton who is an advocate of agroecology, emphasized on the need to desist from practices such as deforestation in order to avoid depleting soil nutrients.

“To achieve agroecology practices which are sustainable requires to adhere to strict decision making,” Professor Shenton reiterated.

His Royal Highness Chief Mabumba of the Aushi people of Mansa district in Luapula province, appreciates the consortium’s interventions and knowledge sharing platform aimed at addressing a range of agriculture practices which are unsustainable, which has led to a loss of cultural heritage and diversity in their communities.

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

The Chief admits that various practices by his subjects have rendered the soil infertile in most parts but with the agroecology approach, it was clear local solutions are more progressive as they are environmentally friendly.

Clearly, the engagement of the consortium with the local leadership will influence rural communities farming practices. It is envisioned that through the Chiefs leader ship and participation, the level of awareness and adoption of sustainable agriculture practices will be heightened and help restore biodiversity and cultural heritage.

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