Restoration for Community Justice (RCJ) has identified the advancement of agroforestry “know-how” as a critical strategy for enhancing climate adaptation and ensuring long-term food security in Kanchibiya District.
RCJ Chief Executive Officer, Mathews Mulenga, says while traditional agroforestry remains a staple of current farming systems, there is an urgent need to transition toward modern practices to maintain productivity amidst a rapidly changing climate.
Mr Mulenga explained that modern agroforestry goes beyond simple tree planting, as it actively sequesters carbon, protects fragile soils, and maintains the biodiversity necessary for a healthy ecosystem.
“Modern agroforestry is the anchor for food security in our changing communities. It allows for productive agricultural systems that can withstand the global landscape of climate change through better crop protection and more resilient food systems,” Mr Mulenga said.
He emphasized that for agroforestry to be successful in Kanchibiya, it must be “farmer-friendly,” necessitating policies that address land ownership, intergenerational equity, and access to digital technology.
He noted that translating scientific research into practical, on-farm know-how is the only way to reconcile agriculture with nature.
“We need to focus on ecosystem services such as water harvesting and soil restoration. Whether it is lowland or mountain agroforestry, the goal is to create business models that improve the quality of life for our local farmers while mitigating climate impacts,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kanchibiya District Forestry Officer, Samson Zimba, noted that the district’s diverse landscape, spanning from floodplains to mountainous regions, is ideal for intensive ecosystem management through agroforestry.
Mr Zimba observed that there was a significant opportunity to manage traditional systems more effectively, particularly in the mountainous areas of Kanchibiya, to ensure they remained productive for future generations.
“Agroforestry is a natural solution to many of the environmental challenges we face. By integrating trees into our farmlands, we are effectively cooling the landscape and creating a more stable environment for our crops and livestock to thrive,” Mr Zimba stated.
He further noted that the Forestry Department was eager to work with stakeholders to boost the technical capacity of farmers, ensuring they understood how to design agroforestry systems such as fodder hedges and soil-amending tree rows that provide immediate benefits to their yields.
RCJ and the Forestry Department are advocating for a landscape-wide adoption of these practices to safeguard Kanchibiya’s agricultural future and contribute to the national green economy agenda.
