HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — From ancient fertilizer methods in Zimbabwe to new greenhouse technology in Somalia, farmers across the African continent heavily reliant on agriculture are looking to the past and the future to respond to climate change.
Africa, with the world’s youngest population, faces the worst impacts of a warming planet while contributing least to the problem. Farmers are struggling to feed the growing population.
Some experts say Africa, where more than 60% of the world’s undeveloped land is located, should be able to feed itself. According to a report prepared by the African Union and United Nations organizations last year, three out of every four people on the continent cannot afford a healthy diet. Reasons include conflict and lack of investment.
In Zimbabwe, where the El Niño phenomenon has worsened the drought, small-scale farmer James Tshuma has lost hope of harvesting crops from his fields. It’s a familiar story in much of the country, where the government has declared a $2 billion state of emergency and millions of people face starvation.
But a patch of green vegetables grows in the small garden that 65-year-old Tshuma keeps alive with homemade organic manure and manure. Previously thrown away items became invaluable again.
“This is how our fathers and ancestors fed the earth and themselves before the introduction of chemicals and inorganic fertilizers,” Tshuma said.
It applies animal feces, grass, plant residues, small animal remains, tree leaves and bark, food scraps and other biodegradable materials such as paper. Even the bones of animals, whose numbers are increasing due to drought, are burned without turning them into ash for calcium.
Wonder Ngezimana, associate professor of plant science at Zimbabwe’s Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, said climate change was exacerbating sub-Saharan Africa’s long-standing problem of poor soil fertility.
“This combination is forcing people to re-look at how things were done in the past, such as food recycling, but also blending them with modern methods,” said Ngezimana, whose organization researches the combination of traditional practices with new technologies. said.
Ngezimana said organic fertilizers, in addition to being rich in nitrogen, help increase the soil’s ability to retain carbon and moisture. “Even if a farmer puts synthetic fertilizer on the soil, he or she will likely suffer the consequences of insufficient moisture as long as there is a drought,” he said.
Other moves towards traditional practices are also ongoing. Drought-tolerant millet, sorghum and legumes, staples until the early 20th century when exotic white corn replaced them, have been taking up more land in recent years.
Leaves of drought-tolerant plants, once a common food item but later discarded due to weeds, are returning to dinner tables. Like millet and sorghum, they are on elite supermarket shelves and served in fancy restaurants.
Ngezimana said this could create markets for crops even beyond drought years.
GREENHOUSE REVOLUTION IN SOMALIA
In conflict-prone Somalia in East Africa, greenhouses are changing the way some people live; shoppers are filling their carts with locally produced vegetables, and traditionally nomadic herders are under pressure to settle down and grow crops.
“They are organic, fresh and healthy,” said Sucdi Hassan, who was shopping in the capital Mogadishu. “Knowing they come from our local farms makes us feel safe.”
The new shopping experience is a sign of relative calm after three decades of conflict and climate shocks from drought and floods.
With more than 250 greenhouses producing fruits and vegetables in Mogadishu and its outskirts, urban customers are now guaranteed a year-round supply. This is a huge leap.
“In the past, even basic vegetables such as cucumbers and tomatoes were imported, causing logistical problems and additional costs,” said Mohamed Barre, Somalia’s minister of youth and sports.
Greenhouses also create employment in a country where approximately 75% of the population is made up of people under the age of 30 and many of them are unemployed.
About 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the capital, agriculture graduate Mohammed Mehdi inspected crops at the greenhouse where he works.
“Given the high unemployment rate, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in our chosen specialty,” the 25-year-old actor said.
Meanwhile, some herders are being forced to change their traditional ways after seeing thousands of animals die.
“The shift to greenhouse farming offers herders a more resilient and sustainable livelihood option,” said Mohamed Okash, Director of the Climate and Environment Institute at SIMAD University in Mogadishu.
He called for greater investment in smart agriculture to combat food insecurity.
A MORE RESISTANT BEAN IN KENYA
In Kenya, a new climate-friendly bean variety is giving hope to farmers in the region, which has recorded six consecutive rainy seasons of declining rainfall.
The variety, called “Nyota” or “star” in Swahili, is the result of a collaboration between scientists from the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation, the International Biodiversity Union and the research organization International Center for Tropical Agriculture.
The new bean variety was designed to suit Kenya’s different climatic conditions. One of our focuses is to ensure that drought does not destroy them before they have time to develop.
David Karanja, bean breeder and national coordinator of grains and legumes at KALRO, said the bean variety blooms and matures so quickly that it is ready for harvest when the rains disappear.
It is hoped that these varieties could support national bean production. Karanja said that annual production of 600,000 metric tons is insufficient to meet the annual demand of 755,000 metric tons.
Farmer Benson Gitonga said that his productivity and profit increased thanks to the new bean variety. He harvests nine to 12 bags from an acre of land, up from the previous five to seven bags.
A side benefit of diversity is a breath of fresh air.
“Customers particularly appreciate its qualities as it has low gas levels, making it an attractive choice,” Gitonga said.
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Tiro reported from Nairobi, Kenya, and Faruk reported from Mogadishu, Somalia.
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