Mukupa Writes

By Linda Mupemo A field of organic vegetables at Loctaguna Organics - Picture by PELUM Zambia Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zambia has commended government for embarking on the development of the first ever national agroecology strategy which is set to promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices in the country. PELUM Zambia Communications Officer Rebecca Botha said the agroecology strategy will feed into the national agriculture policy thereby attracting funding to the sector.  ZANIS reports that Ms. Botha said this during a Food Jam recently held at Loctaguna Organics, in New Kasama, which was aimed at equipping Journalists with practical knowledge on sustainable agriculture methods such as agroecology.  She noted that promoting the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices calls for concerted efforts from various stakeholders adding that Journalists have a vital role to play in raising awareness through disseminating information ...

By Linda Mupemo Climate change is one of the greatest challenges countries are facing world over.  Its adverse effects ranging from droughts, floods, food insecurity and water scarcity affect women and men disproportionately.  Women and girls face a greater challenge of coping with the harsh impact of climate change because of social and cultural factors which make them lack access to information and resources on climate change resilience.  According to a report by the United Nations (UN) Women which was launched at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), climate change may push up to 158 million women and girls into poverty by 2050.  The report further indicates that 232 million women and girls are likely to face food insecurity due to the situation.  This calls for increased programmes whose objective is to build the capacity of women and girls to adapt to changing clima...

By Linda Mupemo David Musonda applies animal manure in his field David Musonda shovels up goat and sheep droppings from the floor of his kraal.   He and his two sons put it in buckets. They later head to their crop field which is a stone's throw away from their home in Chisensa village in Milenge District.    Mr. Musonda applies the animal droppings in his field where he has planted garden eggplants, cabbages, tomatoes and other vegetables.   He is one of the small scale farmers practicing organic agriculture in Milenge district in Luapula Province.    “I have 18 sheep, 11 goats and 10 chickens. These produce up to four bags of droppings fortnightly weighing 50 kilograms ," he says.    In organic agriculture, farmers produce their crops using natural fertilisers such as animal manure and compost as opposed to using synthetic fertilisers. Additionally, organic pesticides are used to control pests.      Mr....