We are dedicated to improving the climate. For generations, agriculture has harmed the Earth instead of helping it. Industrial agriculture, which has been the norm for over a century, heavily relies on chemicals and machinery. We promote climate-friendly agricultural practices.

Sustainable agriculture aims to produce food in a way that benefits both current and future generations. Instead of damaging farmland, it works to keep the soil healthy and resilient, even as climates change. Healthy soil is crucial for reducing carbon emissions because it helps trap carbon in the ground rather than releasing it into the atmosphere!

One key aspect of sustainable agriculture is environmental sustainability. We promote this by encouraging biodiversity. We provide each cooperative with seedlings for nutritious vegetables to move away from monocropping (the practice of planting only maize, which depletes soil nutrients). With the help of a USAID Local Climate Action Initiative grant, we plant gliricidia sepium trees in our cooperatives' vegetable plots. The fallen leaves of these trees enrich the soil naturally! Additionally, with support from a GIZ International Climate Initiative grant, we train cooperatives in making compost, reducing their dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Today, sustainable and regenerative agriculture are often confused, but we want to clarify the regenerative practices we use. In Zambia and much of southern Africa, the rainy season is short and becoming less predictable due to climate change. By supplying solar-powered irrigation systems to cooperatives, farmers can now grow crops year-round, which helps prevent soil erosion. Healthy plants in the ground protect against erosion caused by heavy rain and other weather events.

Regenerative agriculture also emphasizes the beneficial relationship between livestock and crops. Thanks to the GIZ grant, we can use nutrient-rich manure to create diverse compost that nourishes our cooperatives' farms.