ORGANIC FARMING GIVES HOPE TO FARMERS

By HAPPY MULOLANI

“OUR philosophy of growing organic crops is inspired by nature and science. Growing organic food is an effective way of addressing climate change, as the food grown is healthy and nutritious,” reaffirms Loctagun a Organics Proprietor, Kanangwa New Love.

These sentiments give hope to farmers and other people interested in practicing organic farming which sees pure food grown and produced.

Located in New Kasama, which is about 50 kilometres east from the Central Business District of Lusaka, is Loctagun a farm which is 10 acre and produces a variety of organic foods which is sold every week to potential markets and other entrepreneurs interested in organic foods. Their markets include: individuals who deal in soya beans, mushroom, goats, rabbits, chickens and a variety of vegetables.

“The demand for organic food is on the increase and we grow a variety of organic crops indifferent stages to meet the market demands,” Ms. NewLove said.

Interestingly, the market for organic foods keeps increasing. Chain stores such as Pick and Pay, are among one of the major markets buying organic foods along other entrepreneurs.

To achieve her goals of regular supply to the market, “every thursday we plant 3,500 plants of various plants on the farm,” She said.

A total of 13staff help her to cultivate, prepare the land and plant as well as other processes such as making fertilizer and running other necessary production units on the farm.

She explains that at Loctaguna farms, the belief is that nothing is wasted or thrown away which means every inhabitant is a key player in the growth process of organic farming.

“There is nothing like weeds or throwing away whatever matter we have on the farm. Every inhabitant is beneficial in the ecosystem, as it is useful in enriching the soil. Most matter is used for making composite manure to apply to the different fields on the farm or other uses which promotes sound growth of crops being grown,” Ms. Lovemore revealed.

Besides making composite manure to enrich the soils on the farm, other methods used are mulching and push and pull.

Ms. Lovemore’s approach is a clear indication of how nature and science supports organic farming, which she has been practicing since being trained in 1998.

Ms. Lovermore further explained that food produced on the farm does not conform to anychemical fertilizer applied neither has ever applied any organic fertilizer. Instead, she uses her own fertilizer which she makes from raw materials grown on the farm.

The raw materials used are Comfrei and Tithonia which all work as a foliar and add a mixture of water. Once these ingredients are mixed, its ready for use and application after 14 days. This fertilizer turns out to be very effective in pest control and doubles the yields compared to chemical fertilizers.

She narrates that one season she grew one (1) hectare using organic fertilizer and another farmer used conventional method of chemical fertilizer application. At harvest time, she made a premium of 30 percent more than the other farmer. This is a clear indication of the profitability of organic farming.

The argument is that fertilizer and pesticides are unhealthy to the majority of people consuming such food due to chemicals which have an effect on the food produced and consumed. Whereas, organic fertilizer produces healthier food. One of the major advantages is that the cost of production is lower because raw materials are grown on the farm and are readily available.

This notion should be able to help farmers seriously think about shifting to organic farming as it has several advantages which includes; crops are grown at a lower cost, promotes good health and nutritious food coupled with selling organic crops at a premium.

Growing food organically enables individuals to have independence in terms of the food they consume as well as sale to potential markets to earn an income.

For this approach to effectively work, Ms. Lovemore is contributing to help facilitate organic farming practices, as she has regular visits every week from farmers and individuals wanting to learn to grow crops organically so as to promote healthy living.

Ms. Lovermore is one of the campaigners and advocates of climate change through organic farming and maximizing use of all farm land to grow organic food, which enables her make independent decisions what she consumes and also live health and earns an income from her sales.

Climate Change campaigners such as the Zambia Climate Change Network has been raising awareness and advocating for farmers to seriously take up organic farming. This takes into account that growing crops using conventional means has implications for future generations.

Numerous studies and research has shown that soil infertility, diseases, among other factors has been perpetuated over the years due to the shift in the type of agriculture practiced which has mostly witnessed chemical fertilizer application. This type of agriculture has recorded low yields and also led to high soil acidity which is unhealthy for plant growth.

But with organic farming, it is clear that the soil nutrients are easily replenished with the right practices as already alluded to. Therefore, re-thinking the idea of nature and science supporting the ecosystem through the use of every inhabitant is the type of agriculture farmers ought to revert to as there is less management, promotes independence to food choices, enhances food security and income.