admin | February 25, 2026
News Brief
In Nkhondola, Chongwe District, Eastern Zambia, Royd Michelo and his wife, Adasila Kanyanga, have turned their five-acre farm into a self-sustaining agroecological system. Food crops, fruit trees, livestock, and poultry coexist in a nutrient-rich cycle: crop residues feed animals, and manure enriches the soil. The farm produces eggs, vegetables, fruits, and milk for the family and income generation. Experts say agroecology boosts soil fertility, food security, and climate resilience, and regional programs are now integrating these practices into extension services, education, and climate-adaptive agriculture frameworks.
In Nkhondola, a small village in Chongwe District, Eastern Zambia, Royd Michelo and his wife, Adasila Kanyanga, have transformed their five-acre farm into a self-sustaining system. On their farm, food crops, fruit trees, livestock, and poultry coexist in a carefully balanced cycle. Rich, organic soil nourishes the crops, which in turn feed the family and the animals.
Royd Michelo, a farmer, says: “On this farm, we are not worried about soil fertility or food security. We are deliberately building healthy soils to ensure food sovereignty. We decide what we grow, how we grow it, and what we eat.”
Crop residues feed the animals, while manure from chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, pigeons, goats, and cattle enriches the soil. This nutrient-rich cycle strengthens crops, which then nourish humans and livestock alike. Every day, the farm produces multiple trays of eggs from indigenous chickens and guinea fowl. Vegetables, fruits, and milk meet the family’s nutritional needs while generating additional income.
This integrated system, known as agroecology, is gaining attention across Southern Africa as a climate-resilient and sustainable approach to smallholder farming. Regional organizations are increasingly recognizing agroecology’s potential to strengthen smallholder resilience.
Dr. Jerome Queste, Resource Mobilization Specialist at CCARDESA, says: “The initiative focuses on improving existing agroecology practices, showing how effective they can be, and encouraging their integration into university curricula and extension services.”
Providence Mavubi, Director for the Industry and Agriculture Division at COMESA, says: “We are revising our regional agriculture programs to include agroecology in trade frameworks, value chains, and climate finance initiatives. Diversified, ecological farming systems are crucial for food security and climate adaptation.”
For farmers like Royd Michelo, agroecology is not a policy concept—it is a daily practice. By combining crops and livestock, recycling nutrients, and reducing reliance on costly external inputs, farmers improve soil fertility while limiting risks from droughts and price fluctuations.
Rural radio broadcasters could explore several angles from this story, says Royd Michelo, a farmer: says, “You can ask how local farmers improve soil fertility without chemical fertilizers, which crops and animals can be integrated in one system, the economic benefits of a diversified farm, and how agroecology builds climate resilience.”
While regional and international interest grows, the example of Nkhondola shows that agroecology starts in the field, with the everyday decisions and practices of smallholder farmers.
Photo: Royd Michelo on his farm in Eastern Zambia. Credit: Isaiah Esipisu/IPS
This story is based on an article written by Isaiah Esipisu for Interpress News Service, titled “Moving Towards Agroecological Food Systems in Southern Africa” To read the full story, go to: https://www.ipsnews.net/2026/01/moving-towards-agroecological-food-systems-in-southern-africa/