Redefining regonal Agricultural Systems
... Farms like Loctaguna, where agroecology demonstrates that caring for soil, water, and livestock also benefits the bottom line, are setting global standards for sustainable and socially responsible agriculture.
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 — (09-03-2026) — Across Zambia, a growing movement of farmers, scientists, and policymakers is rethinking the foundations of the country’s agricultural system.
For decades, farming has relied heavily on chemical inputs and monoculture cropping, particularly maize. But mounting evidence from farms, research institutions, and policy discussions now suggests that agroecology may offer a more resilient and economically sustainable path forward.
Advocates say agroecology addresses multiple challenges simultaneously, including rising production costs, declining soil fertility, climate variability, and long-term food system sustainability.
At Loctaguna Organic Farm, this shift is already visible in practice.
When a partner company informed farm founder Newlove Kanangwa that its bins were overflowing with used coffee grounds, her response was immediate.
“I immediately told them to give it to us. That waste is valuable to us,” Kanangwa said.
At Loctaguna, materials often considered waste are turned into productive farm inputs, forming the backbone of an integrated ecological farming system.
The farm supplies fresh produce to airlines and plans its production according to delivery schedules provided months in advance, ensuring consistent supply while minimising waste.
Kanangwa says the farm’s model focuses on reducing costs while protecting the natural systems that sustain production.
“Instead of buying expensive commercial inputs, we convert waste into fertiliser, animal feed, and compost,” she said.
Through partnerships with waste collectors, the farm has significantly reduced operational expenses. Garbage collection costs have fallen by 35 percent, while pig-feeding costs dropped by 45 percent after the farm replaced commercial feed with recycled food waste collected during produce deliveries.
“When we deliver produce, we collect waste on our way back, so there is no additional transport cost,” Kanangwa explained.
Organic materials such as tea bags, cardboard, and food scraps are processed through worm composting systems to produce nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Kanangwa says this compost plays a central role in maintaining soil fertility without relying on synthetic fertilisers.
“Our pigs are healthy because they eat natural food and are not confined,” she said.
Goats are raised mainly for breeding and ecological balance rather than for commercial milk production.
“We treat our animals as humanely as possible. The milk is for the young ones, and we do not milk commercially,” she added.
For Kanangwa, the benefits of this integrated system extend beyond cost savings.
“When you take care of the soil, the animals, and the environment, the farm becomes more productive and sustainable,” she said.
Experiences from farms like Loctaguna are increasingly shaping broader discussions about the future of agriculture in Zambia.
“Communities must treat water as a scarce resource and manage it carefully,” Mgangxela said.
She explained that farmers can harvest rainwater through trenches, contour lines, and rooftop runoff systems that allow water to soak into the soil rather than being lost through runoff.
“Land is one of the best places to store water because soil can hold moisture for long periods,” she said.
Mgangxela noted that many agroecological practices build upon traditional knowledge already used by rural communities.
“Our grandmothers collected rainwater in drums. Agroecology builds on those traditional methods,” she said.
Soil health remains another central pillar of agroecological farming systems.
“The plants here are thriving because the soil is healthy,” Voigts said.
She explained that agroecology improves soil fertility through organic matter such as compost and mulch rather than synthetic fertilisers.
Farmers participating in the training also demonstrated how to prepare bokashi, an organic fertiliser made from soil, yeast, molasses, water, and manure.
“When farmers improve soil health using organic inputs, they reduce dependence on expensive external inputs,” Voigts said.
At the institutional level, agricultural educators say Zambia needs stronger research capacity to support the transition.
“Most available data comes from other countries. Zambia needs local evidence,” Kapembwa said.
She added that agricultural training institutions must integrate agroecology into their curricula so that future farmers and professionals can understand and apply these systems.
At policy level, agroecology is increasingly being discussed as a response to structural weaknesses in Zambia’s agricultural sector.
Joseph Cheelo, Principal Agricultural Specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the country must gradually move away from its heavy reliance on maize monoculture.
“Government support has historically focused on maize, which has shaped the entire agricultural system,” Cheelo said.
He noted that decades of chemical-intensive farming have contributed to soil degradation and increased dependence on external inputs.
The proposed National Agroecology Strategy aims to promote diversified farming systems that restore soil health, protect water resources, and strengthen farmer livelihoods.
“Agroecology provides a pathway for restoring soil health and improving long-term productivity,” Cheelo said.
Scientific research is also expected to play an important role in expanding agroecological practices.
Sumini Sampa of the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute said research institutions are studying technologies, genetic resources, and market systems that can support sustainable farming.
“Scientific evidence helps demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of agroecology,” Sampa said.
“There is limited data on how many farmers practise agroecology or how much land is under these systems,” Nketani said.
She noted that reliable statistics are essential when engaging policymakers on national agricultural policy.
Regional initiatives are also helping to strengthen knowledge sharing and capacity building around agroecology.
The Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Southern Africa forms part of the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Africa, a partnership funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.
In Southern Africa, the programme works with several regional partners, including Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Zambia and the Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre.
The initiative promotes agroecology through training, knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and awareness campaigns aimed at strengthening sustainable farming practices across the region.
Between 2020 and 2026, the programme registered more than 500 knowledge multipliers, reached approximately 15.9 million people through awareness campaigns, and organised dozens of dialogue and knowledge exchange events.
As Zambia debates the future of its agricultural system, experiences from farms, research institutions, and regional initiatives are increasingly shaping the conversation.
For many farmers, scientists, and policymakers, agroecology is no longer seen simply as an alternative farming method. Instead, it is emerging as a practical pathway toward restoring soils, reducing input costs, strengthening rural livelihoods, and building a more resilient agricultural future for the country.
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