Agroecology
Our work with farmers in East Africa is based on what we’ve proved to be effective and sustainable.
Organic or sustainable agriculture: what kind of farming do we support?
We don’t tell farmers what inputs they can or cannot use, but all our training is based on our Agroecological Climate Positive Approach (ACPA).
“African policy-makers are increasingly looking to agroecology as the sustainable way forward.”
Farm Systems and Sustainability Coordinator Meshark Sikuku, with a producer of organic fertiliser at the first Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference in 2023.
What is agroecology?
Our ACPA framework is built on organic principles, modelling natural processes which are adaptive and resilient and don’t rely on expensive inputs such as chemical fertilisers, mechanisation or genetic modification.
Agroecology goes beyond “nature-based solutions” and producing good food “sustainably”. It addresses the problems in global food systems to ensure food sovereignty for local producers and consumers.
We support biodiverse small farms
We champion the kind of small farm systems which have a wide range of crops and livestock, maintained by a variety of soil, water and biodiversity regimes.
They’re well-adapted to local conditions and have been shown to help farmers sustainably manage harsh environments.
Our practical training includes:
- Improved animal management for better welfare, and higher yields from fewer animals
- Growing techniques suited to each farm’s location
- Making nutrient-rich compost from animal manure and plant waste
- Boosting soil fertility and water retention with compost and mulch
- Biological pest and weed control [LINK TO: push pull page]
- Agroforestry incorporating multi-purpose trees into farms
The farming families we work with are each composting at least 1 tonne of organic waste every year.
That’s saving half a tonne of methane gas emissions being added to the atmosphere every year from each household’s decomposing materials.
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