DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
“Increasing agricultural productivity across Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most important problems of this century.” Dr. Hannah Ritchie, Our World in Data.
Hundreds of thousands are on the move in Eastern Africa. After years of failed rains in Somalia, the 2022 drought finally decimated farms. Where crops grew and cattle grazed only dust and carcasses remain. Whole communities have headed for towns and refugee camps in search of food aid. Many have fled into neighbouring Kenya – whose northern regions are affected by the same drought.
Hundreds of miles away, Kenya’s Western Highlands are irrigated by breezes moistened as they blow across Lake Victoria. This is fertile farmland. Typical crops included maize and beans. Farms are small and labour intensive, yields modest:
| Tonnes/ Hectare 2021 | USA | India | Kenya |
| Maize | 11.1 | 3.2 | 1.5 |
| Groundnuts | 4.6 | 1.7 | 0.9 |
Shocking, isn’t it? Much of the difference is due to the USA’s massive application of fertilisers, weedkillers and pesticides, its adoption of GM crops. Still, a substantial part of Kenya’s deficit is down to labour-intensive methods and different weather patterns.
Just to make matters more difficult, the dreaded Climate Change is adding to the problems. The weather everywhere is becoming more volatile. Dry seasons are hotter and longer, the vital rainy seasons are less predictable. In 2021, for example, the rains arrived weeks late with a huge, damaging hailstorm. Deciding exactly when to sow crops has become a lottery. Crop yields have suffered.
The farmers of Africa have a long journey ahead. Time for some action! Much to be done, much to be gained for everyone. Our long-term project is focussed on one smallholding, representative of many others. This is Benmak’s 6-acre farm.
The objectives are clear – To double the farm output by 2050, growing crops with proven climate resilience, and environmental benefits. That means investing in trials, some of which may fail or take years to bear fruit.
Meanwhile those involved still have to feed their families. We need to strike a pragmatic balance.
- A 25-year lease has been agreed on suitable plot for crop trials.
- The land has been fenced.
- Reliable irrigation is the first challenge. A borehole can give access to the water table below. A hydrographic survey identified the best site for this.
- A 115m borehole has been drilled, lined; a pump & power supply installed.
- A tower has been erected with two 5m3 storage tanks
- Irrigation lines have been installed
- Under construction by Benmak’s family is a modest farmhouse providing accommodation/storage/meeting room, constructed mainly from traditional materials already available on site – timber, murram clay.
- Longer term, a small tractor with plough, seed drill, front bucket and trailer would boost productivity; farm equipment that can be shared by all nearby smallholders in the Climate Action Network.
- Finally, solar panels and a battery pack will help contain power costs.
CLIMATE ACTION is not a charity, not a government organisation. No salaries, no admin overheads. Just a network of volunteers with a common aim – to help 3rd. World smallholders up their game while coping with the consequences of climate change. That means diversifying crops and developing techniques.
More details on the project’s Climate Action Development Farm are here. This has been a significant investment of time, effort by the local community – and there’s a long road ahead.
The Climate Action Community Orchard encourages the local community to establish fruit and nut trees. Deeper rooted than seasonal crops, they have better long-term resilience. Once mature the hope is to enjoy a valuable income while helping with carbon sequestration. A double benefit. More details here.
The Climate Action Network is a forum encouraging farmers to share their experiences. They also have access to practical advice from further afield. Details are here. Maybe you have expertise you can offer?
If you think this effort is worthwhile, visit the crowdfunding page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peter-bedingfield
To get involved in any other way, just contact: petersbed@aol.com
Oh, and please please please spread the word. Every little helps.
