Christian Farming: an overview

Sam AdamsTuesday 14 October 2014

What is it?

A curriculum of sustainable land management based on biblical principles and teaching

Beginning with the internal (faith, hope, vision)and applied to the external (farming techniques)

Background

Started in Zimbabwe in the 1980s

Two groups: • Foundations for Farming, based in

Zimbabwe

• Farming God’s Way, based in South Africa

Countries

AngolaBotswana EthiopiaGhanaKenyaLesothoMadagascarMalawi

MozambiqueNigeriaSouth AfricaSwazilandTanzaniaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe

Also some countries in Asia, Europe and north and central America.

Theology

Christian Farming teaches that farming is part of worship and that farming should be done in a way that honours God.

Uses the bible to teach management principles

1. Do things on time2. With high standards3. With minimum wastage4. With joy

Technical

Looks to Creation as the model for agriculture.

1. Holes instead of ploughing

2. Mulch instead of burning or bare soil

3. Moving towards an organic system, precise and limited use of artificial sprays and fertilisers

Impact

Christian Farming has been recognised as an effective tool in increasing food security

Changed Zambia’s food deficit into surplus

The technical elements have been incorporated into the FAO conservation agriculture manuals

Adopted by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Education

Practiced in over 20 countries