Value add for viewers

• Learn how Loctaguna Organics combines composting, agroforestry, livestock and recycling into a practical agroecological production system.
• Discover what participants experienced during one of the field trips organised as part of the SNRD Africa Conference 2025 in Zambia.

🧩 A group of participants from the 2025 SNRD Africa Conference explored how integrated agroecological systems can improve soil health, recycle resources and create economic opportunities for farmers

Participants had the opportunity to move beyond presentations and discussions and experience rural development approaches firsthand. One of the conference field trips led the colleagues to Loctaguna Organics, located outside Lusaka, where agroecological principles are applied in day-to-day farming operations.

Guided by Patson Ncube, participants explored how soil fertility management, organic production methods and circular resource use are combined into an integrated farming system. The visit offered practical insights into how agroecological approaches can contribute to both environmental sustainability and farm livelihoods.

Seeing Agroecology as a System

One of the key messages of the visit was that agroecology is not a single technique but a system of interconnected practices. Throughout the tour, participants were introduced to approaches that link crop production, composting, livestock management and tree-based farming systems.

The farm demonstrated how organic matter can be returned to the soil, how waste streams can become productive inputs, and how different farm components support one another. Rather than treating soil fertility, crop production and livestock management as separate activities, the farm integrates them into a circular production model.

From Soil Health to Market Opportunities

The field trip also highlighted the economic dimension of agroecology. Discussions focused not only on ecological benefits but also on market opportunities and growing demand for organically produced food. Participants learned how the farm combines environmental objectives with commercial viability, illustrating that sustainable farming practices can also form the basis of successful rural enterprises.

For many participants, the visit provided an opportunity to exchange experiences directly with practitioners working in the field. Questions ranged from composting techniques and seed management to challenges related to scaling agroecological approaches. These interactions are a central element of SNRD Africa field trips, which aim to complement conference discussions with practical examples and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

Watch the Full Field Trip

The video below follows the visit to Loctaguna Organics and provides a longer, unedited look at the experience. Rather than a short promotional clip on the subject of agroecology in Africa, it offers viewers the opportunity to follow the tour much as conference participants experienced it themselves.

🎙️ Recorded at the SNRD Africa Conference 2025 (French and English subtitles available)

✅ To see more videos from the conference, go to the SNRD Africa Youtube channel.

Additional information on agroecology and Loctaguna Organics

• Agroecology Africa Blog — Knowledge Platform for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa
• Beyond Production: Exploring Markets and Adding Value to Organic and Indigenous Products
• Loctaguna Organics in Instagram

Chapters of the video

00:00 Introduction – Leaving Kasisi Farm
00:15 Road to L’Octagona Organics
01:20 Arrival and welcome by Patson Nkube
03:00 Soil fertility and organic practices
08:30 Integrated systems and learning on the farm
15:00 Market success and local demand
22:00 Seeds, compost and recycling methods
27:30 Livestock as part of a circular system
28:30 Johnson–Su bioreactor introduction
29:30 Closing remarks and reflections

#Agroecology #OrganicFarming #Zambia #SNRDAfrica #SustainableAgriculture #RethinkDevComms #FieldTrip #Resilience