The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important trade routes for fertilisers. Since it was blocked, fewer supplies have reached the global market and prices are rising rapidly. For African farmers, this means even higher costs and even less access to the nutrients their fields desperately need. Many simply can no longer afford the expensive imports – with dramatic consequences for crop yields and food security.
What is Farming God’s Way?
Farming God’s Way is a holistic approach that combines biblical principles, modern land management and practical techniques. The aim is to empower farmers to work with the resources they already possess – and thus become independent of expensive, unreliable imports. Farming God’s Way is particularly successful in Africa because it is easy to implement, cost-effective and adaptable to local conditions.
How does Farming God’s Way help farmers replace expensive fertilisers?
- Natural soil improvement:
Instead of buying expensive mineral fertilisers, farmers learn how to increase soil fertility through mulching, composting and the use of organic waste. These methods are not only cheaper but also more sustainable in the long term – and reduce dependence on global supply chains. - Efficient water use:
Farming God’s Way teaches techniques such as ‘minimum tillage’ (minimal ploughing) and the creation of irrigation ditches to make optimal use of water and prevent erosion. This not only saves water but also reduces the need for additional nutrients. - Crop rotation & mixed cropping:
By carefully planning which crops are grown in succession or side by side, the soil remains nutrient-rich. This reduces the need for external fertilisers and protects against pests – without the need for expensive imports. - Community learning:
Farming God’s Way encourages exchange between farmers to share knowledge and experience. This leads to local solutions that are better suited to the community’s needs and capabilities than expensive imported products.
Success in practice – especially in times of crisis
In countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, farmers who practise Farming God’s Way report significantly higher yields – whilst costs for fertilisers and seeds are falling. Especially now, as world market prices are skyrocketing due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Farming God’s Way is becoming a lifeline for many. Farmers who rely on natural soil improvement are less dependent on global supply chains and can feed their families even in times of crisis.
Conclusion & Outlook
The current fertiliser crisis shows that African farmers urgently need alternatives to expensive imports. Farming God’s Way offers a practical, sustainable way out of this dependency – using methods that not only secure yields but also protect the environment. As an organisation committed to clean water and sustainable agriculture in Africa, we see Farming God’s Way as a key partner in improving the living conditions of smallholder farmers in the long term – particularly in uncertain times.
