September is nearly here. In the U.S. that means Halloween decorations will soon be up in stores, if they aren’t already, followed close behind by everything Christmas. For some, the earlier these seasons start, the better. For others, not so much.

Here in Northern Mozambique, the hunger season, which lasts from the time people run out of food (January - February) until the next harvest (April), has also been starting earlier. This year’s hunger season has already begun for some families, with the price of the staple food, maize, more than doubling since April.

Hunger’s effects are well known. Malnutrition causes early deaths and stunts brain development, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. Food scarcity is a contributing factor to many of the conflicts on the continent.

Why can’t Africa feed itself? Lots of reasons, of course, but one is that the type of agriculture that kind of worked when there were fewer people doesn’t work well with denser populations with many farming in one place.

It’s not working well here. Each year around December, farmers plant their crops (usually maize). The following April they bring in the harvest (ears of maize, pods of soybeans, etc.) and then burn the rest. The exposed soil erodes, and what is left is less fertile. Every year, fertilizer becomes more expensive, and few villagers can afford it. As time goes on, they harvest less and less, and the hunger season begins earlier and earlier.

We’ve known for a long time that farming in a way that destroys the soil is a bad idea. Thankfully, there are ways to combat this destruction. In this part of Africa, an organization called Foundations for Farming teaches a form a conservation agriculture practiced by increasing numbers of families in Zimbabwe and Malawi.

At a Foundations for Farming training hosted by IMPCC 2 weeks ago, a diverse group that included farmers from local villages, ag students, ag extension agents and teachers met to learn this approach, as well as share experiences and perspectives. The village farmers are already preparing a demonstration field see if conservation farming will increase their crop yields. Our students will be available to give technical assistance.

Soil conservation is just one tool for addressing hunger, but as more and more farmers begin conserving and restoring their soil, we expect Mozambique’s unwelcome season won’t begin as early as it does now.

erosion demonstration — Demonstration comparing erosion on bare soil vs. protected soil

preparing planting stations — Preparing planting stations

Stopping the insanity - one field at a time.