“Over the years, we have
enjoyed an intimate relationship with our land. We cultivate land and the land cultivates
us. For us, effective cultivation means allowing the hoe’s blade to penetrate
deep into the soil. This, opens up the soil for aeration and dismantles the extensive
network of roots sustaining the stubborn weeds” reads an excerpt from grandma’s
unwritten farming handbook titled ‘Home-grown
tips for agricultural prosperity’.
On one hand, grandma is proudly counted among the womenfolk who
supply
43% of the world’s agricultural labour force.
But on the other, she represents a
destructive lot. That of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan who remain
steadfast in promoting the conventional type of agriculture that is rooted on intensive
ploughing. Such are the practices that have brought about a state of barrenness
on the once productive African soils.
Bad agricultural practices blamed for Climate
Change
Several studies conducted have demonstrated that exposing
more soil to the air, causes the reactive carbon in soil to be released in
the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide gas responsible for global
warming. It’s further shocking to read that just an acre of soil -12
centimetres deep - contains up to 10,000 pounds (4500kg) of carbon. For this
reason, many point an accusing finger at agriculture for being the main culprit
in the emission of hazardous greenhouse gases.
It was two decades ago when The Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations joined the list of those championing for
drastic reduction in tillage in order to slow land degradation around the
world. Dreadful figures released by FAO estimates that some 40 percent of land
degradation around the world is caused by soil erosion.
Subsequently, an article published by Pirmatov et al in 2016
titled: Comparative analysis of conventional and
conservation agriculture stated
that “There exists inequality between agricultural productivity and world
population growth. For this reason, there is need to use an approach, which
maximizes the production in an environmental friendly manner at the same time
without increasing the production cost”.
Conservation
agriculture for minimized tillage and maximized benefits
This being the case, agricultural development experts have
identified conservation
agriculture CA as the best bet towards sorting out this mess. The system
emphasizes on the protection of the upper 0-20cm soil layer which is the most
active zone vulnerable to erosion and degradation.
It is geared towards optimizing yields and profits, to
achieve an equilibrium between agricultural, economic and environmental
benefits. By embracing this farming technique, the 1.3
billion people throughout the world who are directly employed by agriculture
can contribute towards building the global resilience against the implications
of climate change.
The technology is supported by three key pillars.
First, minimal soil disturbance where the soil is not ploughed or turned to
conserve its structure. Secondly, diversified crop rotation that integrates
legumes, deep-rooted crops and high-residue crops for replenishment of soil
fertility. Thirdly, by ensuring maximum soil cover through inclusion of
agroforestry tree species and live cover crops such pumpkins, sweet potatoes
and cow peas to preserve soil moisture and prevent erosion.
Minimum tillage equipment
Besides, optimal utility of resources is made possible
through the introduction of equipment which present cost-effective and
sustainable alternatives. The irony here is the fact that farmers incur huge
production costs in intensive ploughing of farmlands only for weeds to occupy the
larger spaces left between crops after planting.
FAO asserts that by not tilling the soil, farmers can save between 30 and 40% of time,
labour and, in mechanized agriculture, fossil fuels as compared to conventional
cropping.
Smallholder farmers are therefore encouraged to acquire conservation
agriculture equipment such as sub-soilers, rippers and jab planters. This
are tools designed to confine tilling and seeding in only areas where the crop
is going to be planted while leaving the rest of the areas undisturbed. In the
case of weeding, hand tools such as slasher, sickle and weed scraper or
herbicides as recommended by Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Low acceptance still
a major headache
It is however
disheartening to read a 2012 report published by Institut Veolia Environnement titled:
Overview of the Global Spread of
Conservation Agriculture that mentions Africa has having the least land
under CA (1 million hectares). South America leads the continental pack with 45
percent of the land equivalent to 55million hectares under CA. Kenya which
played host to the 3rd
World Congress on Conservation Agriculture in 2005 is mentioned in a 2011
FAO report as having only ha 33,000 of land under CA - slightly below 1 percent
of arable land.
The World
Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in a publication titled Conservation Agriculture with Trees:
Principles and Practice attributes this unavailability of CA equipment in
the local markets and the high cost as compared to conventional tools. For
instance, a manual jab planter would cost a Kenyan farmer approximately ksh15000
($150) on the online market. This enough to purchase 15 hoes which are readily
available in the local markets.
Sealing the loophole
While aiming to close this gap and at the same time popularize
CA technology, there is need for international, regional and national support. The
concerted efforts should incorporate governments, media, Higher learning
institutions, research and development agencies and policy makers to formulate
contextual-based strategies for adoption and dissemination. Through this, we
can generate the much needed demand to bring down the prices of equipment.
Additionally, developing improvised alternatives of the
equipment that are both of high quality and affordable. In Kenya, organizations
such Kenya Network for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies (KENDAT) have been instrumental in partnering with cottage industries popularly
known as ‘Juakali’ sector to provide cutting-edge agricultural solutions.
Once implemented, we can be proud to have built grandma’s capacity
to practice climate-smart agriculture that can sustainably take care of her
income, food and the delicate environmental needs.
Danyell Odhiambo is a development
communication expert with broad experience handling communication assignments
in the media, agricultural and environmental sectors. You can reach me via
danochieng@gmail.com
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