Southern African countries like Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have made it off the UN’s list of global hunger hotspots. After the harsh impacts of El Niño, better weather and improved harvests have brought a much-needed sigh of relief to millions of farming families.

Relief is not the same as resilience

The UN report warns that if climate shocks strike again (and they likely will), these same countries could easily slip back into food insecurity. So the big question is:

How do we turn this temporary recovery into lasting food security?

Healthy soil.

Many people do not talk about soil, but farmers across the region are learning this truth: strong, living soil is the foundation of food security that can stand up to drought, heavy rains and anything in between.

This is what organic farming is all about not just avoiding chemicals, but working with nature to build soil that can feed us all the time.

The “Think Before You Eat! Think Namibian Organic!” guide shows how farmers across Southern Africa are doing just that.

Here is what makes healthy, organic soil a game-changer:

1. It Holds Water Like a Sponge

When El Niño hit, water became painfully scarce but farms using compost, mulch and cover crops held onto moisture far better. That is because organic soil stores water and releases it slowly keeping crops alive during dry spells. Farmers in Malawi and Mozambique who used these methods saw the difference.

2. It Grows Its Own Fertility

Organic practices like composting, rotating crops and using animal manure build up long-term fertility. Zambia, which saw record harvests this year, is now looking at these practices to keep the momentum going without draining their soil.

3. It’s Alive

Healthy soil is full of tiny life: microbes, fungi, insects. These organisms protect your crops naturally, meaning fewer pests, fewer diseases and no need for harmful chemicals. Healthier soil , healthier food and healthier communities.

4. It Helps Fight Climate Change

Organic soil locks carbon underground, meaning every handful of compost you spread is helping cool the planet. It is a natural defense system against a warming world, where weather is getting wilder and more unpredictable.

Do you want to start building healthier soil and lasting food security?

Download the “Think Before You Eat! Think Namibian Organic!” Knowledge Product from the link below.

Author: Rabecca Mwila

Rabecca Mwila is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. With a background in climate change and communications, she has spent years telling the untold stories of the realities of climate change, environmental and climate injustices and how they affect vulnerable communities in Africa and beyond.