Small farmers around the world are becoming increasingly creative when it comes to growing food. Judith Harry and her neighbors in Malawi, for example, are planting pigeon peas to shade their soils from the sun and vetiver grass to prevent flooding. They are also reviving old crops like finger millet and forgotten yams, and planting trees that naturally fertilize the soil. Some are even turning away from the legacy of European colonialism, which involved planting rows of maize and saturating fields with chemical fertilizers.
“One crop might fail. Another crop might do well,” said Ms. Harry, who has diversified her fields with peanuts, sunflowers, and soy. “That might save your season.”
This trend is not limited to Malawi, but is happening all over the world as small farmers adapt to climate hazards.
2023-04-27 10:20:22
Post from www.nytimes.com
