Farming with the Future in Mind Across Africa, farmers are already living with the challenges of a changing climate rains that come late or too hard, long dry spells, strange pests, and soils that no longer yield like they used to. But here’s the hope: many of these challenges can be managed using climate-smart farming techniques that are simple, low-cost, and effective especially when rooted in the knowledge of local communities. Here are five powerful practices you can start using on your farm no matter your size, crop, or region. Climate- Smart Techniques1. Mulching: Feeding the Soil While Holding Moisture“When the soil is covered, the life below is protected.”
Mulching means covering the ground with dry leaves, crop remains, straw, or grass. This layer acts like a blanket — shielding the soil from the hot sun, strong rains, and wind. Benefits:
- Keeps the soil cool and moist longer
- Reduces evaporation, so you water less
- Prevents weed growth
- Adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks downHow to Use: - After harvesting, leave maize stalks or bean leaves on the field.
- Collect banana leaves or dry weeds and spread around growing crops.
- Use cut grasses from animal pens to mulch garden beds.
Farmer tip: Avoid using diseased plant parts to prevent spreading pests.
2. Water Harvesting: Turning Rain into a Resource
“Even a little rain can go a long way if we learn to catch it.”
Water harvesting is about capturing rainwater and storing it in the soil or containers for use during dry times. Techniques Include:
Swales: Shallow trenches dug along the slope to stop and sink water
Zai Pits: Small holes that collect water and compost for planting
Stone Bunds: Small walls of rock that slow water flow and reduce erosion
Water Pans or Tanks: To store runoff for later use
What You’ll Gain: - Better crop survival in dry spells- Reduced soil erosion- More water for livestock and irrigation
3. Mixed Cropping: Growing More, Risking Less“Don’t put all your seeds in one basket.”
Planting different crops together also called intercropping helps the soil and protects your harvest. Try These Combos:
- Maize + Beans: Beans fix nitrogen for maize; maize offers shade to beans.
- Cassava + Groundnuts
- Sorghum + Cowpeas
Benefits:- Improves soil fertility
- Spreads risk if one crop fails
- Reduces pests by confusing them
- Maximizes land use
Tip: Avoid crops that compete too much for water or shade each other out.
4. Agroforestry: Growing Trees with Purpose“A tree on your farm is like a trusted friend — it gives, protects, and stays.”
Agroforestry is the integration of trees and shrubs into your farm system.
Smart Tree Choices:
- Grevillea – Fast-growing, good for shade and timber
- Calliandra – Produces animal fodder and fixes nitrogen
- Moringa – Edible leaves, rich in vitamins- Fruit trees – Mango, avocado, pawpaw
Benefits:
- Adds organic matter to soil through falling leaves
- Provides shade for crops and livestock
- Reduces wind damage
- Offers extra income from timber, fruits, or firewood
5. Compost Making: Turning Waste Into Wealth“Why throw away gold?”
Composting is the process of turning animal manure, food scraps, dry leaves, and plant waste into rich, dark fertilizer that improves your soil. How to Make It:
- Mix green material (fresh leaves, food waste) with brown material (dry grass, sawdust, maize stalks)
- Add a bit of manure and soil
- Keep it moist but not soggy
- Turn it every 2–3 weeks
- Ready in 1–2 months
Benefits:
- Saves money, no need for chemical fertilizer
- Improves soil fertility and structure
- Helps soil hold water
- Reduces waste and smell from farms.
Your Next StepStart Small, Grow Big You don’t have to change everything overnight. Choose one technique that fits your land and resources and start experimenting. Maybe it’s digging swales this rainy season...Or starting a compost pit near the chicken coop... Or planting a row of trees at the edge of your field... Every step you take builds a stronger, smarter farm ready for tomorrow.
Farming with the Future in Mind
Across Africa, farmers are already living with the challenges of a changing climate rains that come late or too hard, long dry spells, strange pests, and soils that no longer yield like they used to.
But here’s the hope: many of these challenges can be managed using climate-smart farming techniques that are simple, low-cost, and effective especially when rooted in the knowledge of local communities. Here are five powerful practices you can start using on your farm no matter your size, crop, or region.
Climate- Smart Techniques
1. Mulching: Feeding the Soil While Holding Moisture
Mulching means covering the ground with dry leaves, crop remains, straw, or grass. This layer acts like a blanket — shielding the soil from the hot sun, strong rains, and wind.“When the soil is covered, the life below is protected.”
Benefits:
- Keeps the soil cool and moist longer
- Reduces evaporation, so you water less
- Prevents weed growth
- Adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks down
- Keeps the soil cool and moist longer
- Reduces evaporation, so you water less
- Prevents weed growth
- Adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks down
How to Use:
- After harvesting, leave maize stalks or bean leaves on the field.
- Collect banana leaves or dry weeds and spread around growing crops.
- Use cut grasses from animal pens to mulch garden beds.
- Collect banana leaves or dry weeds and spread around growing crops.
- Use cut grasses from animal pens to mulch garden beds.
Farmer tip: Avoid using diseased plant parts to prevent spreading pests.
2. Water Harvesting: Turning Rain into a Resource
Water harvesting is about capturing rainwater and storing it in the soil or containers for use during dry times.“Even a little rain can go a long way if we learn to catch it.”
Techniques Include:
Swales: Shallow trenches dug along the slope to stop and sink water
Zai Pits: Small holes that collect water and compost for planting
Stone Bunds: Small walls of rock that slow water flow and reduce erosion
Water Pans or Tanks: To store runoff for later use
Swales: Shallow trenches dug along the slope to stop and sink water
Zai Pits: Small holes that collect water and compost for planting
Stone Bunds: Small walls of rock that slow water flow and reduce erosion
Water Pans or Tanks: To store runoff for later use
What You’ll Gain:
- Better crop survival in dry spells
- Reduced soil erosion
- More water for livestock and irrigation
3. Mixed Cropping: Growing More, Risking Less
Planting different crops together also called intercropping helps the soil and protects your harvest.“Don’t put all your seeds in one basket.”
Try These Combos:
- Maize + Beans: Beans fix nitrogen for maize; maize offers shade to beans.
- Cassava + Groundnuts
- Sorghum + Cowpeas
Benefits:
- Maize + Beans: Beans fix nitrogen for maize; maize offers shade to beans.
- Cassava + Groundnuts
- Sorghum + Cowpeas
Benefits:
- Improves soil fertility
- Spreads risk if one crop fails
- Reduces pests by confusing them
- Maximizes land use
- Spreads risk if one crop fails
- Reduces pests by confusing them
- Maximizes land use
4. Agroforestry: Growing Trees with PurposeTip: Avoid crops that compete too much for water or shade each other out.
Agroforestry is the integration of trees and shrubs into your farm system.“A tree on your farm is like a trusted friend — it gives, protects, and stays.”
Smart Tree Choices:
- Grevillea – Fast-growing, good for shade and timber
- Calliandra – Produces animal fodder and fixes nitrogen
- Moringa – Edible leaves, rich in vitamins
- Grevillea – Fast-growing, good for shade and timber
- Calliandra – Produces animal fodder and fixes nitrogen
- Moringa – Edible leaves, rich in vitamins
- Fruit trees – Mango, avocado, pawpaw
Benefits:
- Adds organic matter to soil through falling leaves
- Provides shade for crops and livestock
- Reduces wind damage
- Offers extra income from timber, fruits, or firewood
Benefits:
- Adds organic matter to soil through falling leaves
- Provides shade for crops and livestock
- Reduces wind damage
- Offers extra income from timber, fruits, or firewood
5. Compost Making: Turning Waste Into Wealth
Composting is the process of turning animal manure, food scraps, dry leaves, and plant waste into rich, dark fertilizer that improves your soil.“Why throw away gold?”
How to Make It:
- Mix green material (fresh leaves, food waste) with brown material (dry grass, sawdust, maize stalks)
- Add a bit of manure and soil
- Keep it moist but not soggy
- Turn it every 2–3 weeks
- Ready in 1–2 months
- Mix green material (fresh leaves, food waste) with brown material (dry grass, sawdust, maize stalks)
- Add a bit of manure and soil
- Keep it moist but not soggy
- Turn it every 2–3 weeks
- Ready in 1–2 months
Benefits:
- Saves money, no need for chemical fertilizer
- Improves soil fertility and structure
- Helps soil hold water
- Reduces waste and smell from farms.
- Saves money, no need for chemical fertilizer
- Improves soil fertility and structure
- Helps soil hold water
- Reduces waste and smell from farms.
Your Next StepStart Small, Grow Big You don’t have to change everything overnight. Choose one technique that fits your land and resources and start experimenting. Maybe it’s digging swales this rainy season...Or starting a compost pit near the chicken coop... Or planting a row of trees at the edge of your field...
Every step you take builds a stronger, smarter farm ready for tomorrow.
