The Future of Farming is Sustainable Intensification Practices

Soil - the foundation of our food systems - is facing an unprecedented crisis. Often referred to as the 'silent pandemic,' soil degradation is threatening the very basis of our agricultural sector. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)about 90% of the Earth’s top soil will likely be at risk of degradation by 2025.(https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/07/1123462 )

With over a third of the world's topsoil already degraded, the consequences of inaction are already visible.

In countries like Zambia, these consequences are manifesting as reduced crop yields, decreased water quality and loss of biodiversity. As the global population and their demand for food continues to grow, the pressure on our soil resources intensifies, making it imperative that we address this pressing issue.

The impact of soil degradation in Zambia

In Zambia, deforestation for farming and over grazing are common environmental acts that rural communities continue to practice. Natural rangelands are fast depleting as farmers strive to increase their productivity. However, the impact of their activities is hampering their aspirations.

To address the pressing issue of soil degradation, some specialists in the agriculture sector have been promoting Sustainable Intensification Practices (SIPs) especially among smallholder farmers.

Sustainable Intensification Practices: A Solution for Smallholder Farmers

SIPs are an approach that is aimed at increasing productivity on existing agricultural land while protecting the environment and increasing economic and social gains.

This approach is critical in Zambia, where smallholder farmers contribute about 80% of the country's food. By adopting Sustainable Intensification Practices, they can increase their productivity, improve their livelihoods, and contribute efficiently to the country's food security.

The Zambian government, civil society organizations, and the private sector are working together to promote SIPs and support smallholder farmers. Through programmes such as Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) which aims to improve sustainable and climate smart crop production and; land management practices, smallholder farmers are being equipped with the necessary information to implement SIPs in their fields.

SIFAZ - a European Union supported programme which is being implemented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) - has been one of the lead advocates for SIPs among smallholder farmers in selected districts in Zambia.

FAO Zambia’s Project Agronomist, Ronald Msoni, describes SIPs as climate smart agricultural practices that are founded on conservation agriculture.

He explained that the outcomes of SIPs include improved soil fertility, increased yields for farmers and effective mitigation against climate change.

Mr. Msoni’s observations stem from the various demo plots that FAO has established in smallholder farming communities, where farmers are able to see first-hand some technologies of SIP and the benefits of the approach.

“These Technical Demo Fields are implemented by lead farmers and their follower farmers…this is what we call farmer-to-farmer experiential learning,” he added.

 “In Southern Province, we [have found] that the farmers that applied SIPs in their fields for the past 3 to 4 years – even during times of drought – their crops survive much better than farmers that are doing conventional farming,” Mr Msoni disclosed.

It can be concluded therefore that in the long term, SIPs can positively impact the food security of smallholder farmers around the country.

In April this year, SIFAZ is scheduled its first ever National Technical Symposium under the theme Advancing Food Security and Agribusiness Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers through Sustainable Agriculture Innovations. This event is a call for action to enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change.

By working together to promote SIPs and support smallholder farmers, we can ensure a food-secure future for Zambia and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals numbers 2 and 13 which strive to achieve Zero hunger by 2023 and; to take action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.