Earth is changing fast. A few years ago, it would have seemed far-fetched to think that Africa could face severe droughts and floods at the same time. Yet, here we are. Climate change has become our new reality, and agriculture plays a big role in it. As one expert noted, agricultural methods both influence and are influenced by climate change.
Countries struggling with food security need practical policies and affordable technologies that help farmers adapt to climate issues. It’s alarming that farming accounts for nearly 30% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial agriculture, with its heavy machinery and chemical fertilizers, contributes to this problem while harming ecosystems and creating “dead zones.” Meanwhile, small farmers in Africa, who contribute little to climate change, are left struggling under harsh conditions.
However, there’s hope. Regenerative farming is gaining traction in Africa as a way to combat climate change. Small farmers are already adopting techniques that regenerate the land, including agroforestry. This method combines trees and crops, benefiting both the environment and farmers’ productivity.
Take Malawi, for example. The Zomba-Malosa Forest Reserve is suffering. Deforestation for timber and fuelwood is destroying around 2% of its forests each year. With limited electricity and rising gas prices, households rely on fuelwood for cooking. Selling wood for charcoal becomes a necessary but damaging source of income, further depleting the forests.
Regenerative agroforestry focuses on renewal. Instead of maximizing production against nature, it aligns farming with natural ecosystems. It combines trees, crops, and livestock, enhancing biodiversity and productivity. This method actively improves soil health and creates self-sustaining agricultural systems, which are essential for long-term success.
Regenerative practices are built on key principles:
- Mimicking Nature: Creating agricultural systems that imitate natural ecosystems boosts overall health and biodiversity.
- Soil Health: Regenerative practices restore soil quality through organic matter and proper management, making it more resilient.
- Climate Resilience: Healthy soils help crops withstand extreme weather, ensuring sustainable land use.
- Economic Diversification: By integrating cash crops and livestock, farmers can create multiple income streams, lowering financial risks.
- Active Restoration: This approach rehabilitates damaged ecosystems while providing food and income from sustainable sources.
In Malawi and Zambia, for instance, farmers are integrating “fertilizer” trees that naturally enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, resulting in better crop yields. A study showed that such practices can cut the seasonal hunger period by two to four months yearly, depending on the species used.
In Tanzania, crop diversity helps ensure financial stability. Farmers grow high-value crops like cardamom alongside staples such as maize. This multi-crop approach not only increases income but also enhances food security.
Regenerative agroforestry merges traditional practices with modern sustainability principles. It highlights that farming can be both environmentally friendly and profitable. Rather than depleting land, this approach sees it as a living system worthy of care.
Through innovations and community efforts, smallholder farmers can thrive while also working towards a healthier planet. The future lies in embracing practices that restore and respect the land.
For further reading:
- Agroforestry: The Key to Regenerative Agriculture (2023)
- Regenerative Agroforestry for Soil Restoration and Climate Change Mitigation (2024)
- Local Solutions to Global Problems: Agroforestry in Southern Africa (2009)
- Regenerative Agroforestry: The Next Step in Sustainable Farming (2025)
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Agroforestry,climate change,Regenerative agroforestry
