SUSTAINABLE AGRIC KEY TO FOOD SECURITY, SAYS MICHELO

By Noel Iyombwa

AGRO-ECOLOGY farmer Royd Michelo emphasizes the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture to prevent land pollution.

In an interview, Mr. Michelo, based in Chongwe, warned that if Zambia does not adopt agro-ecological practices, food security will be compromised.

He projected that without these practices, malnutrition rates will rise, and the agricultural sector will face setbacks.

“We need to move away from dependence on government programs like the Farmer Input Support Program. We must use locally available resources and adopt a mindset of self-reliance,” he said.

Mr. Michelo explained that agroecological farming uses organic fertilizers and emphasizes techniques like crop rotation and companion planting. He noted that this approach leads to sustainability, food security, and safety.

“We need to be self-reliant in productivity. Organic farming is advantageous for its sustainability and benefits to health and the environment,” he added.