ORGANIC FARMING TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE

“organic farming is the best way to go and mitigate drought crisis Zambia is facing……..

By Daily News Reporter

Zambia has faced challenges especially in agriculture which has been impacted so much due to drought in most part of the country 2023-24 farming seasons. Organic Farming is the way to go and find ways to mitigate this climate change Zambia is facing.

Organic Farming is a way that keeps soils, ecosystems and it uses natural processes and products to produce food in a way that provides people with the nutrients they need for a healthy life.

And the way to mitigate it is by going agroecology Method way , through PELUM  Association in collaboration with the knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa in promoting  agroecology to the farmers it engaged farmers affected by drought within Zambia and one of the farmers involved in agroecology farming Mrs.Kanangwa Hamuyamba Newlove a Manager at Loctaguna Organics Fam in Chongwe district highlighted the benefits of organic farming stated that organic farming it builds soil health, provides cost benefits and builds resilience to climate change.

Mrs Kanangwa stated that these benefits they play a significant role in producing plants rich in nutrients that are more resistant to drought, pests and diseases,

“organic agriculture it also helps builds resilience through more consistent yields in the face of changing climate change and production of a diversity of nutrients foods,” Kanangwa stated.

Mrs Kanangwa also said that organic farming is the technology which has not been proven unequivocally safe for long term use and some of the accompanying inputs may have negative effects on the otherenvironment and human health.

Mrs Kanangwa urged farmers to make use of the land available and water,

“let farmers use water sustainably because organically managed soils retain more water and for a long time. From this process there are no chemicals used and it doesn’t damage the water bodies,”Kanangwa said.

Meanwhile Patson Ncube a Soil Health expert at Loctaguna Organics Farm add that Soils build healthy plants and it also boost it’s ability to retain water and support effective in nutrients cycle.

“if you build soil with natural soils it will produce plants  rich in nutrients that are more resistant to drought,” Ncube said.

Ncube also stated that organic farmers should not use synthetic fertilizer and animal drugs but work with health of soils and animal dung.

“Zambia has rich soils but how do we use it? So they is need to build soil for all plants to be healthy.”Ncube said.