Sharing Our Power
Colton, one of the VIDEA interns in Chongwe, Zambia, shared his experience visiting Mr. Michelo’s farm, describing it as both enriching and inspiring. He was particularly struck by how well Mr. Michelo manages a complex agricultural system with such efficiency, demonstrating a deep understanding of agroecology.
Mr. Michelo welcomed the interns warmly and took them on a guided tour, showcasing a diverse range of crops, including sweet potatoes, eggplants, bananas, maize, carrots, and papayas. His approach to farming focuses on self-sufficiency, ensuring both his household and the community have access to nutritious produce.
One of the most impressive aspects of his farm is his commitment to organic farming. A thriving papaya tree stood as a testament to this, grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Mr. Michelo explained that soil health depends on three key components: nitrogen, moisture, and microorganisms. Without these, soil loses fertility, making cultivation difficult.
To maintain healthy soil, he practices agroecological methods such as crop rotation, intercropping, composting, and organic manure application. He emphasized three key principles for a successful harvest and these include water harvesting, soil fertility management and biological pest control.
Colton was particularly impressed by how Mr. Michelo uses the sloped land to create burrows that direct rainwater to his banana crops, promoting organic growth. Reflecting on the experience, he shared:
“It was fascinating to see all that I’ve been learning at the Green Agriculture Youth Organization (GAYO) put into practice in such an inspiring way. Despite only five years of farming, Mr. Michelo has built something remarkable. I hope future interns get the chance to visit his farm, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to grow.”
Another key takeaway from the visit was the role of worms in maintaining soil health. Mr. Michelo emphasized that the presence of worms is a sign of a thriving garden because they help break down organic matter, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. This natural process improves soil structure, making it more fertile and suitable for sustainable farming.
Mr. Michelo’s farm is not just about crops, he also keeps goats, ducks, cows, birds, a cat, and a dog. These animals contribute to the ecosystem, reinforcing the balance between people, animals, plants, and the environment.
Seeing these practices firsthand was a rewarding experience, and it’s clear that agroecology offers a sustainable path forward for farming.
In a powerful exchange of sharing about their respective projects, the Sharing Our Power Gender team in what is currently known as Canada connected with the Indigenous Knowledge to Power team in Lundazi Zambia via Zoom. This is the first of many global story sharing sessions between VIDEA teams. The purpose of these calls is to emphasize the importance of global storytelling, knowledge exchange and create regular, online spaces for teams to develop friendships, share about their work and strengthen their commitment to community empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
In both Zambia and Canada, storytelling has played a key role in preserving history, passing down knowledge, and driving change. By sharing their experiences, communities can learn from each other, strengthen their advocacy, and find new ways to build inclusive and empowered societies.
The Sharing Our Power project is focused on strengthening a diverse women’s movement, ensuring equality by including men, women, gender diverse people, people with disabilities, and those who think and feel differently, ensuring that no one is left behind. During the meeting, they shared their mission of mobilizing communities particularly in rural areas to build a more inclusive and empowered society.