HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — From centuries-old fertilization methods in Zimbabwe to new greenhouse technology in Somalia, farmers on the agriculturally dependent African continent are looking to the past and future to respond to climate change.
Africa, with the world’s youngest population, faces the worst impacts of a warming planet yet contributes the least to the problem. Farmers are doing their utmost to ensure that the growing population is fed.
With more than 60% of the world’s undeveloped land, Africa should be able to feed itself, some experts say. And yet three in four people on the continent cannot afford a healthy diet, according to a report last year from the African Union and United Nations agencies. Reasons include conflict and lack of investment.
In Zimbabwe, where the El Nino phenomenon has worsened drought, small-scale farmer James Tshuma has lost hope of harvesting anything from his fields. It’s a common story in much of the country, where the government has declared a $2 billion state of emergency and millions of people are going hungry.
But a patch of green vegetables thrives in a small garden that 65-year-old Tshuma keeps alive with homemade organic manure and fertilizer. Previously discarded items have become invaluable again.
“This is how our fathers and forefathers nourished the earth and themselves before the introduction of chemicals and inorganic fertilizers,” Tshuma said.
He applies cattle droppings, grass, plant scraps, small animal remains, tree leaves and bark, food scraps and other biodegradable items such as paper. Even the bones of animals that are dying in increasing numbers due to the drought are burned before being ground into ash for their calcium.
Climate change is exacerbating much of the long-standing problem of poor soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa, says Wonder Ngezimana, associate professor of crop sciences at Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in Zimbabwe.
“The combination forces people to rethink how things were done in the past, such as recycling nutrients, but also combine them with modern methods,” says Ngezimana, whose institution is researching the combination of traditional practices with new technologies .
Besides being rich in nitrogen, organic fertilizers help increase soil carbon and its ability to retain moisture, Ngezimana said. “Even if a farmer puts fertilizer in the soil, chances are he will suffer the consequences of poor moisture as long as there is a drought,” he said.
Other moves toward traditional practices are underway. Drought-resistant millet, sorghum and legumes, staples until the early 20th century when they were overtaken by exotic white corn, have taken up more land area in recent years.
Leaves of drought-resistant plants that were once a common dish before being discarded as weeds are returning to dinner tables. They even appear on the shelves of elite supermarkets and are served in stylish restaurants, just like millet and sorghum.
This could create markets for the crops even after the drought years, Ngezimana said.
A GREENHOUSE REVOLUTION IN SOMALIA
In East Africa’s conflict-prone Somalia, greenhouses are changing the way some people live: Shoppers fill carts with locally produced vegetables and traditionally nomadic herders are under pressure to settle and grow crops.
“They are organic, fresh and healthy,” said shopper Sucdi Hassan in the capital Mogadishu. “Knowing that they come from our local farms makes us feel safe.”
Her new shopping experience is a sign of relative calm after three decades of conflict and the climate shocks of drought and floods.
Urban customers are now assured of year-round supplies, with more than 250 greenhouses across Mogadishu and its suburbs producing fruit and vegetables. It’s a huge leap.
“In the past, even basic vegetables such as cucumbers and tomatoes were imported, causing logistical problems and additional costs,” said Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Barre.
The greenhouses also create employment in a country where about 75% of the population consists of people under the age of 30, many of whom are unemployed.
About 15 kilometers from the capital, Mohamed Mahdi, an agriculture graduate, inspected the produce in a greenhouse where he works.
“Given the high unemployment rate, we are grateful for the opportunity to work in our chosen field,” the 25-year-old said.
Meanwhile, some herders are being forced to change their traditional way of life after seeing thousands of livestock die.
“Moving to greenhouse farming offers livestock farmers a more resilient and sustainable livelihood,” said Mohamed Okash, director of the Institute for Climate and Environment at SIMAD University in Mogadishu.
He called for greater investments in smart agriculture to combat food insecurity.
A RESILIENT BEAN IN KENYA
In Kenya, a new, climate-friendly bean variety brings hope to farmers in a region that has seen less rain in six consecutive rainy seasons.
The variety, called ‘Nyota’ or ‘star’ in Swahili, is the result of a collaboration between scientists from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, the Alliance of Bioversity International and research organization International Center for Tropical Agriculture.
The new bean variety is tailored to the different climatic conditions in Kenya. One of the concerns is to ensure that drought does not kill them before they have had time to bloom.
The bean variety flowers and ripens so quickly that it is ready for harvest by the time the rains clear, says David Karanja, bean breeder and national coordinator for grains and legumes at KALRO.
The hope is that these varieties can strengthen national bean production. The annual production of 600,000 tonnes does not meet the annual demand of 755,000 tonnes, Karanja said.
Farmer Benson Gitonga said his yields and profits are increasing thanks to the new bean variety. He harvests between nine and 12 bags from an acre of land, an increase from the previous five to seven bags.
An additional advantage of the variety is a relief.
“Customers particularly appreciate its qualities as it has low flatulence levels, making it an attractive choice,” said Gitonga.
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Tiro reported from Nairobi, Kenya and Faruk reported from Mogadishu, Somalia.
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