The amount of arable land in Africa is quickly diminishing, contributing to food scarcity and adversely affecting people's quality of life. Even if the soil was pH-balanced and nutrient-rich, the rate of urbanization is soaring, and those who live in cities have very limited access to space for crop production.
People could solve both problems at once with vertical farming, a sustainable emerging innovation that involves growing plants upward instead of outward. This seemingly small change could make a huge difference, improving everything from energy efficiency to climate mitigation.
Climate change, overgrazing and overfarming have led to land degradation across Africa. In Kenya, 63% of the arable land is acidic. Locals try to make do, but often struggle. Benson Wanjala is a farmer in western Kenya. A few decades ago, his 10-acre farm produced 200 bags of maize annually. Today, his yield is just 30 bags.
While promoting sustainable agricultural practices and mitigating the effects of climate change could prevent and even reverse land degradation, people are already experiencing food insecurity. They can't wait decades for change. Upward gardening is a more immediate, practical solution.
Read more at Farmers Review Africa
