CHANGE OF WEATHER OR CLIMATE CHANGE?

“Man's contribution's which live to influence the life and progress of posterity, are the most permanent monuments which can ever be created. We must become increasingly willing to examine our efforts, to experiment, to admit our failures as we take pride in our successes.” Emperor Haile Selassie I.

Greetings all, from rainy Maragua! Giving thanks for LIFE, ever precious.

A family meal

The farmer is rightly famed for wisdom. The esoteric quality of being able to read signs and seasons. The ability to determine the exact time for sowing, and subsequently reap a bounty and feed the nation. The oneness with the ordered nature.

What perchance happens, when the long-trusted weather patterns suddenly go haywire? Rains in February and the sun in July? Well, in this modern age, the suits and skirts rush into almighty countless conferences held in far flung venues, to debate the new 'climate change' phenomenon. The poor man's burden. But what about our wise farmer?

These are some of the issues confronting the tillers of the land, as we experience an unprecedented wet September, a month which is traditionally identified with scorching weather. In tandem with modern weather patterns in many parts of the globe, the continued mix up of seasons has many farmers in a mad rush. Not quite the normal dignified gait.

Tilling the land

Take this last February, for instance. We got rains in February, one and half months before the conventional planting season. No one knew whether the rains would continue or soon cease. Eventually, farmers ended up second guessing, leading to good harvests for some and woe for those who mistimed.

Ras Ambasa tends to sorghum

September is right after the harvest. Farmers have up to mid October to prepare for the new season, while drying up their grains and seeds in the abundant sunshine. Well, not anymore. It is already raining THINGS! You will now find groups of community members huddled by the roadside fiercely cerebrating on whether to plant or not. Because you cannot afford to buy seeds twice. Regardless they do have to buy seeds, having abandoned the old ways and embraced the laboratory seeds being distributed by government ministries and other sellers. The second generation of these seeds is usually too weak to replant.

Sowing

At the Him Negus Shiriki C. B. O's farm, it is fortunately not so much of a dilemma. This is for one, owing to the fact that we have inter-cropped the farm with a good variety of crops. The short-timers, seasonal, annuals, biennials, perennials and so on. This ensures that sowing and reaping is a continuous exercise, regardless of season. In contrast, many farmers have been caught up mono-cropping, inevitably maize around here, heavily relying on nature's inclination to keep time.

Providing employment for local youth

Secondly, we have maintained a policy of only planting original seeds which have not been interfered with. This way, as it has been for millenniums, we are able to replant the harvested seeds, crop after crop, to good effect. Through local, regional and international networks, we continue to uplift seed exchange and preservation endeavors.

Thirdly, irrigation. For the earth to restore a secure sustenance for it's inhabitants, it calls the farmers to liven up and install themselves on their land parcels throughout the year, as opposed to waiting for the seasons. This is through individual, communal and government efforts to ensure there is access to water, with which ones can farm. Wells, boreholes, reservoirs, dams and conscientious utilization of rivers and lakes.

Ras Nganga and helpers, preparing tree nurseries 

Meanwhile, on the nine o’clock news, the latest conference, to brainstorm the causes and solutions for the changing weather patterns. Cocktails after.

On the ground, the farmers just have to figure things out for themselves. Wisdom does get severely tested, yet you can always count on it to prevail. There are really no two choices to that.

Ras Seru with a Hibiscus harvest

May the rains shew countless BLESSINGS, upon you all, diligent servants of the life-nurturing soil.

PEACE.