April 8, 2025
News
Due to climate change, Manifesto had to rethink his farming methods. He started growing more resilient crops, built his own irrigation system, and learned how to make natural fertiliser. Today, he is able to feed his family and sell the surplus from his harvest at local markets – thanks in part to support from Caritas Czech Republic.
Facing Climate Change
Manifesto lives with his wife and four children in Monze, a town in the southern part of Zambia. He is a passionate farmer who grows maize, tomatoes, cabbage and fruit trees on his large plot of land. He also keeps poultry, which roam freely during our visit. As the sun slowly sets, Manifesto proudly guides us through his small farm.
Climate change is increasingly affecting farmers in Zambia. They are losing crops and, as a result, their means of livelihood. That is why Manifesto began looking for new ways to adapt his farming to the changing climate. Where he once relied on regular rainfall, he now uses an irrigation system he built himself. He has also focused on growing fruit trees. “Fruit trees are great because they are more drought-resistant,” explains Manifesto.
Thanks to training from Caritas Czech Republic, Manifesto learned the basics of organic farming. “I learned how to make my own natural fertiliser, which I can use for my crops,” says Manifesto. The skills he gained help him provide food for his family while earning additional income by selling his surplus harvest.
In the future, Manifesto would like to expand his farming activities. “I would like to build fishponds for fish farming,” he says.
Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia
Zambia is one of the countries increasingly affected by climate change. Local farmers, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture, are among the hardest hit. We support farmers like Manifesto so that they can continue to grow crops despite the changing climate. One of the people we support is also Conceptor, a farmer who learned ecological farming methods with the help of Caritas Czech Republic.
