Climate Smart Farming

Given the increasing climate challenges impacting agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa, it is imperative to incorporate practices which mitigate drought by improving soils such as no till or minimum tillage cultivation, ploughing in crop residues after harvest, planting cover crops and crop rotation which improve water retention and soil fertility. Improving soil health is key to growing more nutritious foods. Such practices also reduce cost by reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer and soil acidification and sequestering carbon in the healthier soils. Water management practices such as rainfall harvesting and employing affordable solar powered pumps for drip irrigation are key elements in conservation agriculture and increased yields.

Mechanization is critical to these practices allowing timely cultivation before seasonal rains and tillage that is less disruptive on soil structure. These mechanization solutions are more economical using 2 wheel tractors or less powerful 4 wheel tractors with less equipment and lower fuel consumption. 2 wheel “walk behind” tractors are ideal for weed control and harvesting. Appropriate mechanization dramatically increases crop yields, produces more nutritious foods while reducing waste during harvesting and post harvest handling.

Finally as carbon markets and technologies become more accessible to farmers, sequestered carbon in soils will contribute to meeting climate change goals while earning modest extra income to the same farmers. Nyabon is actively working to bring these critical practices to smallholder farmers as climate stresses become more severe in sub-Saharan Africa.