From Ridges to Riches: How One Farmer Turned Climate Challenges into Lasting Prosperity
In the heart of Lusowe’s Suwuni Village, where unpredictable weather once threatened livelihoods, one farmer chose a different path one rooted in resilience, innovation, and hope.
Peter Mumba’s journey began in 2006 with a simple opportunity, 300 agroforestry seedlings and training in conservation farming. What started as a modest intervention has today blossomed into a powerful success story of climate-smart agriculture-CSA, transforming not only his life but inspiring an entire farming community.
Through dedication and continuous learning, Mr. Mumba embraced practices such as ripping, agroforestry using Gliricidia sepium, and integrating Musangu trees to naturally enrich his soils.
“At first, I doubted whether these methods would really work,”Mr. Mumba recalls.“But when I saw the difference in my field the moisture, the soil, the yields I knew this was the future of farming.”
These techniques, often overlooked by many, became the backbone of his thriving 10-hectare maize farm proving that working with nature, not against it, is the key to sustainable success.
His fields now stand as living evidence of what CSA can achieve: improved soil fertility, better water retention, and increased yields even under changing climate conditions.
But his success goes far beyond the farm.
“Through farming, I have been able to send my children to school, build my house, and improve my life,” he says proudly. “CSA has changed everything for me.”
With the income generated, Mr. Mumba has educated his children, built a home, and acquired valuable assets including a motorbike and land.
His transformation has earned him recognition at district, provincial, and national agricultural shows cementing his role as a leading example of climate-smart farming excellence.
Today, he is not just a farmer, he is a mentor.
Through the Farmer Field School in Lusowe, he actively trains and inspires fellow farmers, sharing practical knowledge and real-life results.
His farm has become a learning hub, today hosting an exposure visit that brought together agricultural officers, private sector players, and farmers from across the district.
“I want other farmers to see that this is possible,”Mr. Mumba explains. “If we learn and work together, we can overcome climate challenges and improve our livelihoods.”
Standing confidently before his peers, Mr. Mumba shared not just techniques but belief that every farmer has the potential to succeed with the right knowledge and commitment.
The farmer-to-farmer exchange sparked new ideas, strengthened networks, and encouraged wider adoption of CSA practices such as crop diversification, conservation farming, and climate-resilient crops paving the way for stronger, more resilient farming communities.
He also appreciated the support from the Ministry of Agriculture Zambia and the EP-JSLP programme, which is supported by the World Bank and implemented with nested partners Community Markets for Conservation-COMACO and BioCarbon Partners-BCP.
Peter Mumba’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation starts with one step and one farmer willing to lead the way.
He is not just growing maize. He is growing hope.
📸 Story and photos by Creavat Chituta, EP-JSLP Communications Officer.
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