Malawi – rediscovering organic farming
This is a grand story for the new year. Modern methods of using chemicals to enhance yield were forcing Jailos Kanyanga deeper into debt. He decided to revert to the old ways of farming – by making his own compost and using manure to feed the land. His yield doubled and soon others followed his example. His story is told in the Independent.
The natural way of managing the land has taken these people out of poverty and given them money to spare. Their children can be educated; ‘luxury’ items, like beds, can be purchased; and, most of all, they have reasserted their independence from the chemical manufacturers.