By Johnson Siamachira
Harare, (New Ziana) – Elphas Chinyanga stands in his field in Shamva district, northern Zimbabwe, surrounded by the lush green maize he once thought impossible to grow.
Just a few years ago, he was following the same traditional farming practices his ancestors used — slashing, burning, and clearing land to grow crops.
But as the soil eroded as a result, and demand for land increased, he realised he needed to change his farming methods to achieve good harvests.
Today, Chinyanga represents a growing movement among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe who are embracing modern and sustainable agricultural practices to feed their families without compromising the environment.
With a world population projected to reach nine billion by 2050, feeding it will be a daunting challenge requiring production of 70 per cent more food while environmentally safeguarding the planet.
But as climate change exacerbates agricultural challenges, farmers face rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and dwindling soil fertility.
The 2015-2016 and 2023-2024 El Niño droughts starkly illustrated these issues, causing significant food insecurity and environmental devastation across southern Africa.
In Zimbabwe, with a population of 17 million people, and where agriculture remains a vital source of income and sustenance for this population, the situation is critical.
According to the CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security, the population in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to more than double by 2050, reaching 1.5 billion.
This explosive growth demands urgent and innovative agricultural solutions.
Sustainable agriculture advocates argue there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this crisis. Instead, a combination of techniques and technologies is essential.
Dr Blessing Mhlanga, a cropping systems agronomist with the Sustainable Agrifood Systems programme at CIMMYT, advocates for the need for integrated strategies that begin at the production stage and extend through to post-harvest practices.
“Achieving food security while saving the environment requires a multi-faceted approach,” he says, pushing for regenerative practices that enhance soil health and improve crop yields.
CIMMYT’s mission is clear: lead a new green revolution for Africa. The organisation promotes Conservation Agriculture, which focuses on minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotation. These practices not only boost productivity but also protect the environment.
For farmers like Chinyanga, the shift towards sustainable practices has proven beneficial. In the 2018-2019 cropping season, he harvested his best maize yield in a decade.
“Combining sustainable intensification practices with improved seed varieties has increased productivity by 30-40 percent, even under drought conditions,” Chinyanga explains.
Dr Christian Thierfelder, CIMMYT’s principal cropping systems agronomist, highlights the necessity of sustainable intensification. “In Southern Africa, Conservation Agriculture enables farmers to maintain and boost yields while protecting the environment,” he says.
This approach has become imperative as climate change and unsustainable practices threaten land and water resources.
In an article, “Building a sustainable future: A history of Conservation Agriculture in southern Africa’’ Dr Thierfelder says: “When Conservation Agriculture practices are coupled with water-use efficient and drought tolerant seed varieties, the benefits are even greater.
“Sustainable intensification of agricultural systems and practices such as Conservation Agriculture, have become a necessity for farmers in Africa, where a combination of climate change and unsustainable agricultural practices are undermining land and water resources. This, coupled with an exploding population, makes increasing productivity while conserving the environment absolutely urgent.”
CIMMYT started its Conservation Agriculture work in Africa in 2004, focusing on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“Today, Conservation Agriculture research at CIMMYT in Africa is increasingly focused on adaptation to the changing climate, which is leading to more erratic rainfall, increased heat stress and seasonal dry spells, in an effort to increase the use of climate-resilient cropping systems,” Dr Thierfelder says.
However, implementing these strategies requires collaboration. Farmers must weigh the costs and benefits of new practices, ensuring they find economic value in sustainability.
“Good agricultural practices conserve the environment while increasing productivity and income,” Dr. Mhlanga asserts. “Only when farmers see a financial return will they abandon destructive methods like slash-and-burn agriculture.”
As the government promotes initiatives like Pfumvudza/Intwasa (meaning “new season”), which trains farmers in climate-smart farming practices, prospects of good harvests are bright. Washington Zhakata, director of the Climate Change Management Department in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, emphasizes the importance of mechanisation and investment in efficient irrigation systems. Such measures are essential for building resilience against climate change and variability.
As Chinyanga reflects on his journey, he embodies the hope that sustainable farming can provide food security without sacrificing the environment.
“I used to think traditional farming was the only way,” he admits. “Now, I see that by working with nature, I can feed my family and protect our land.”
The challenges are immense, but with collaboration among various stakeholders – farmers, the government, agricultural and environmental experts etc – a sustainable future is within reach.
By helping farmers adopt practices that benefit both their livelihoods and the planet, we move closer to achieving food security while safeguarding our earth for future generations.
New Ziana
