We have been farming at our land for the past 10 years. Our resolve is to farm sustainably, be as natural as we can afford and improve our practices, learn to be wise, understand the importance of diversity, expect farmland to be made of many micro climates, demanding very diverse efforts. It also meant, let carbon be advantageous to life rather be harmful and care more about what grows under the ground, as above the ground growth will benefit from it. We also knew about heavily depleted soils and necessity to replenish carbon.
We engage young minds, when they volunteer. We share about being sustainable farmer, as they should have an understanding. They get puzzled, why we haven’t been able to make significant progress though farming naturally and why would we chose to live on less while caring to do so much more. We have been asked if it is worth it.
Today, I express gratification for SADC’s affords to provide possible assistance. 9 years ago, we approached SADC, to help us find a way to be able to use tree biomass to make biochar, build hügelkultur, grow mushrooms and provision habitat for insects and microbial life. For many reasons, not much progress has been made
SADC arranged for a soil investigation at our farm in 2022, collaborating with St. Peter’s University. Claude Bamba, then a student, conducted research on hügelkultur and thesised findings, factoring in results from soil test by Cornell Soil Health Lab.
The hügelkultur referred in the investigation and subsequent thesis, was then, just 2 years old, showed impressive results:
- The SOM improved to 10.5 compared to 1.1 of other soils at the farm
- The soil active carbon (POXC) improved to 1151 compared to 400 of other soils at the farm
- The SOC improved to 5.81 compared to 1.5 of other soil at the farm.
- All essential micro and macro nutrients were optimal, with over all quality score of 96 compared to 51 of other soils at the farm
- The hügelkultur soil is teaming with good bacterial and fungal life
SADC arranged for another soil investigation in 2025, collaborating with Dr Shaw, which included not so elaborate hügelkultur as well
- The SOM improved to 8.5 compared to average less than 2.15 of other soils at the farm
- Hügelkultur soil macro and micro nutrient were generally adequate to optimal, compared to other soils at the farm
Hügelkultur soil received no additional amendments.
United Nations has shared concerns about soil and SOM crises around the world, recommending agriculture should maintain 3-6% SOM.
Present average SOM on our farm is less than 2%. The average SOM, when we began, was 1.5%. In 10 years, we raised average SOM by 0.5%
Today, we also share disappointment, for falling short in efforts to enable and compel SADC to do a whole lot more, and help materialize opportunities we have. At present it seems SADC holds an opinion that our efforts are not as good as farming with synthetics, though we understand one shouldn’t spend more units of energy than produced, after all farming is capturing, converting and supplying energy for life to happen and function.
Some forms, can seem like Titanic, may not be able to turn on a dime and may make one feel exhausted and helpless.
What I am sharing with you today, is just tip of iceberg and we hope we continue our efforts like many more farmers who grow and supply healthy, nurturing foods, working relentlessly hard without due consideration, appreciation and support. Because of nutritious foods, we can function well as human being and realize our potential. It is possible to grow nutritious foods without harming environment and ecology, because it has been done for millenniums, without modern avails.
Thank you,