From 4 to 10 Hectares: Mr. Daka’s Climate-Smart Farming Journey Inspires Nyimba Farmers
At 51 years old, Mr. Nyanyika Daka, a follower farmer from Chowaching’oma Agricultural Camp in Chief Ndakes’ area of Nyimba District, is proving that adopting climate-smart agriculture can transform lives.
Mr. Daka is one of the many farmers benefiting from the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme-EP-JSLP, which builds on the earlier Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Programme-ZIFLP.
Through training and guidance from extension officers and lead farmers, he has embraced modern farming techniques especially ripping, a climate-smart practice that is changing the way farmers produce crops.
“I started farming in 1995. At that time, this area was still bushy and I did not know about climate-smart agriculture,” Mr. Daka explained.
His journey began as a follower farmer, learning from others who had already started practicing ripping technology.
Determined to improve his farming methods, he closely observed and adopted the new approach.
Today, his hard work and willingness to learn have paid off.
Mr. Daka has expanded his cultivated land from 4 hectares to 10 hectares, focusing mainly on soya bean production, which he says has proven more profitable than maize.
He has also cultivated several hectares of maize under climate-smart agriculture practices.
His farm now supports three workers and a family of six children, all of whom have benefited from the income generated through farming.
“Through farming, I have managed to take my children to school up to tertiary level,” he proudly shared.
The follower farmer expressed gratitude to the lead farmers and extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture who continue to guide him, not only in climate-smart agriculture but also in agroforestry practices that help improve soil fertility and environmental sustainability.
He emphasized that ripping has become one of the most effective farming methods for soya bean production, helping farmers increase productivity while conserving soil moisture.
Mr. Daka is now encouraging fellow farmers in Nyimba District to adopt climate-smart farming technologies.
“Other farmers should embrace these practices so that they can improve their production and livelihoods,” he said.
He also appealed to the EP-JSLP project, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to continue supporting farmers with training and technical guidance.
During a recent visit, the NAIS and EPJSLP PIU team was accompanied by Senior Agricultural Officer Mr. Fandani Nyirenda, who commended Mr. Daka for his dedication and urged him to continue inspiring other farmers in the district.
“Farmers like Mr. Daka show that with the right knowledge and commitment, smallholder farmers can grow into commercial farmers,” Mr. Nyirenda said.
Mr. Daka’s story is a powerful reminder that learning, innovation, and climate-smart agriculture can transform farming into a sustainable and profitable enterprise.
📸: Creavat Chituta | EP-JSLP| Communications Officer
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