People should adapt to sustainable land management practices for climate change adaptation.

This was emphasised by Kelera Baledrokadroka, a research officer at the Ministry of Agriculture Northern.

“Consequences of unsustainable land use can be drastic as it would leave a huge impact on the environment,” Ms Baledrokadroka said.

“We need to increase our production, but it has to be in a sustainable way.”

She said the upper catchment areas in the Northern Divi­sion were at risk the most.

“These are the vulnerable places and we need to take care of them.

“Some of the effects include water pollution, sedimenta­tion in seas and rivers, reduction of river and drainage ca­pacity, flooding, expansion of river banks, damage to ma­rine eco-systems, siltation and damage to infrastructure.

Ms Baledrokadroka is urging farmers to practice agrofor­estry.

“This is a practice in which trees and shrubs are grown together in a pastureland,” she said.

“We are going out in fields in the Northern Division try­ing to teach people about this.

“Agroforestry is important because it will minimise soil erosion, improve soil fertility, enhance micro-climate with­in an environment and also act as wind barriers,” she said.

Ms Baledrokadroka also said some combination included dalo with yasi, Calliandra with dalo, Calliandra as hedge­row, glyricidia with vanilla and cocoa with dalo.

“We are seeing many rivers getting shallower, therefore these practices need to be adopted,” she said.

Ms Baledrokadroka said other sustainable practices, in­cluded intercropping, controlled grazing, crop diversifica­tion, mulching and re-afforestation.

“Controlled grazing is also very important in conserving soil,” she said.

She feels people in the North are responding positively to the various sustainable practices being taught to them. Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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