Agriculture expert, Gilbert Banda, has encouraged farmers to adopt intercropping as a climate-resilient farming practice to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
Mr. Banda explained that planting different crops on the same piece of land helps farmers withstand challenges such as droughts, flooding, and temperature fluctuations.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Banda highlighted the benefits of mixed farming, including diversified income sources and reduced labor costs, as taller crops naturally suppress weeds.
“Different plants enrich the soil with various nutrients, improving soil fertility and if one crop fails, farmers can rely on more resilient crops to sustain their livelihoods,” said Mr. Banda.
He further noted that intercropping contributes to climate change mitigation by increasing vegetation cover, which aids in carbon sequestration.
By Cynthia Lupiya.
