Tigwepo - March, 2017 20
In mitigating this trend, Chief Nkula has taken the lead in curbing the subsequent effects of such degradation of the environment by encouraging the plantation and regeneration of trees in his area. He stresses the need to have windbreakers and woodlots that help to preserve the good top soils his chiefdom is abundantly endowed with.
In the same vein, he is encouraging his subjects to be environmentally sustainable in their farming practices by discouraging the use of fertilizers and other harmful pesticides and chemicals introduced to the soils. He has instead encouraged his subjects to diversify into growing other crops such as Soya Beans and sunflower as they do not require the use of fertilizers as opposed to the traditional maize.
These crops could also be sold for a modest income to various stakeholders and companies that can in turn process them. As an incentive to venture into this, the Chief has created a scheme where individuals, community schools, community based organizations and cooperatives interested in this income generating activity can access up to 50 hectares of land for this purpose. The chief has designated a part of his chiefdom that has been identified to have land of high soil nutrition that will function as a farm block or farm belt . He has done this also in an effort to promote community self-sustenance and reduce dependency on external aid.
He points out that “I want my subjects to know how to fish instead of merely giving them the fish. As a community, we should at least start something, then others will be able to come in because they have something to work with”.