Our focus from the outset has been to educate farmers and extension staff in profitable, sustainable, small to medium scale farming systems and sustainable building technology in order to influence a change in rural Zambia. We feel the best way to teach is by example. Indeed, what did we know about hand hoe farming in Zambia when we came back in 2001!– very little! Although the principles of organic, sustainable farming are the same wherever you go the details about soils, climate, management, ,marketing, organic inputs etc. are very specific to the area in question. Most difficult to overcome was our lack of knowledge on non-mechanized farming systems. The constraints or limiting factors to a hand-hoe farm are very different than those a mechanized farm. Slowly and sometimes painfully we grew to learn our best practice which works along some simple principles.
- Reduce labour by thinking in advance and using simple, low tech solutions. This principle can be highlighted by our use of reduced tillage systems which increase organic matter and weed pressure, choice feeding of least-processed farm produced feed and preventative pest and disease management.
- Use the correct tool for the job and make sure the tools are in good working order and are balanced to suit the needs of the job in hand and the person using the tool.
- Make systems which complement each other to reduce management needs, eg. Chicken /banana, chicken/wheat/maize/veg, maize/pigs etc.
We can now, after 10 years of practicing hand-hoe organic production of crops and livestock, we know something about it. It may not be much, but it is something! We are already engaged in farmer and trainer education in the following subjects:
- Dry-land cropping systems for small-scale farmers.
- Vegetable production and marketing.
- Permaculture practice and design.
We hope to increase the scope of our education to include:
- Livestock production for swine, layers, village chickens, broilers and perhaps in the not so distant future –dairy production.
Education takes place on the farm and off the farm, preferably on a farm site where students can absorb practical ideas and information in the appropriate setting.
All education is based on practical work and at least 70 percent of the time during the course is hands learning on the job.
Course fees available on request.
Farmer/extension staff feild days on working organic farms (Moses Mulenga - Kasisi).
Training for 33 extension officers from, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Zambia in Organic Coservation Agriculture (OCA). The course was done at Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC)
All courses are 70 percent practical - doing is learning!
On farm training during a farmer feild day at Old Orchard Farm.
