Rural Women’s Assembly farmer in Shibuyunji District, Annie Mutale Katongo has explained how land preparation for sweet potato should be done.
“When you want to plant sweet potato during wet or dry season, you have dig furrows and then you add grass and manure, cover and then plant your sweet potato.
You can also water the soil by using the dripping method or any other,” Annie said.
Sister Katongo said sweet potatoes once ready are a good source of money generation further urging farmers not to be using chemical fertilizers as they destroy the soil.
“Sweet potatoes are a very good source of income and here we usually use the term, Any Time Money or ATM. You can also plant different crops using the same method and we believe in Agro ecology is ecosystem, Annie stated.
RWA farmers always practice what they preach. They train rural farmers on how they can make their soils fertile and educate them on the importance of planting and keeping indigenous seeds through the multiplication method.
Some of the key things RWA trains women farmers on is:
- Land Clearing: Removing bushes, rocks, and previous crop residues.
- Ploughing: Breaking compacted layers for better root penetration.
- Soil fertility: Incorporate manure or compost for improved fertility.
- Ridging: Forms raised beds or rows to improve drainage and make harvesting easier.
- Manure making: By using leaves, animal or chicken dung.
The purpose of land preparation is to provide the necessary soil conditions which will enhance the successful establishment of the plants. RWA Zambia also encourages women farmers to have a backyard garden for household use and also that which can be used to test seeds by planting them in small portions.
Elizabeth Nama is a RWA farmer in Mumbwa District and encourages farmers to have a backyard garden at their homes.
She has managed to plant sweet potatoes and green vegetables in order to sustain her family.
Sister Elizabeth explains the types of vegetables that are in her garden.
“The variety of vegetables in big size is called Mupilu and I also have Chinese cabbage. I am urging every woman to have a backyard garden. I am planning on investing on a sweet potato seed bank in my garden which will consist of six types,” Elizabeth said.
When one has a backyard garden, they can grow various crops such as cassava, potato, beans, onions, tomatoes and other vegetable eaten in the home.
This is Christine Chinula Katwizi and she is a RWA farmer in Mufulira District. She has been in farming for over 20 years and upon joining the RWA team, she has drastically transformed from using chemical fertilizers to organic manure.
In the picture, she is making money from her backyard okra produce.
RWA Zambia believes that the indigenous seed should not be forgotten. It has be saved and multiplied for the generations to come. The seeds are known for their nutritious benefits and do not support genetically modified foods or seeds.
Sister Annie Katongo attended the International Seed Day and she displayed the different and various types of seed.
International Seed Day is observed annually on 26th April, advocating for farmer sovereignty, chemical-free seeds, and biodiversity conservation. In 2026, conversations emphasize protecting traditional seed varieties against climate change and recognizing the role of pastoralists in seed dispersal. It is a day to promote sustainable, organic, and locally-driven agriculture.
This years’ International Seed Day theme was around ‘Seed Sovereignty, Biodiversity, and Community Resilience Against Climate Stress.
The focus was mainly on
- Seed Sovereignty: Emphasizing traditional seeds that resist climate change.
- Resilient Agri-Food Systems: Focusing on local seed multiplication to enhance farmer independence.
Mercy Mulenga, a RWA youth in Chingola District has called for more practical activities in the District saying young people need to be encouraged to engage in traditional farming so that the indigenous seed does not faze out.
“My name is Mercy Mulenga a Rural Women’s Assembly member in Chingola District. I feel young women should be engaged in more practical activities to do with traditional farming,” Mercy said.
Overall, RWA in Zambia wants to ensure that they focus more on using traditional, resilient seed varieties for sustainable livelihoods.
