Daniel Waithaka is a farmer in a celebratory mood after recording bumper harvests on a yearly basis since he started God's Farming Way on his expansive land.
To Waithaka, the new technique of farming, which does not need weeding, could not have come at a better time, especially because he no longer need to employ more hands on deck.
God's Farming Way is a holistic approach to agriculture that seeks to follow the principles outlined in the Bible. These principles include acknowledging that the natural resources provided for farmers are enough for a good farming production.
"There is no-tillage in God’s Farming Way, the soil is covered 100 per cent by mulching (God’s blanket) and the approach consists of Biblical, management and technology," Waithaka explained.
The benefits of God's Farming Way include helping prevent loss of moisture from the soil, softening the soil, helping improve soil density and fertility plus cooling the soil and keeping the soil warm at night.
Waithaka's colleague, Linda Koskey, noted that Farming on God's Way is a sustainable approach to agriculture that can help protect the environment and improve the lives of farmers. It is a way of farming that honors God and stewards the land wisely.
"With soil erosion rising and crop yields falling, erratic rains due to climate change farmers have been forced to change their ways and focus on a new form of agriculture based on Christian faith (God’ Farming Way’ is transforming farming)," Koskey stated.
In addition to these biblical principles, the technique also includes a number of practical approaches such as the no-till farming factor.
This means that the soil is not disturbed by plowing or other tillage practices, which helps to protect the soil structure and moisture.
The farmer also does mulching, which involves covering the soil with a layer of organic matter such as crop residues or manure which helps suppress weeds, improve soil fertility, and conserve moisture.
Waithaka noted that he does crop rotation by planting different crops in the same field each year, which helps to reduce the build-up of pests and diseases.
When it comes to integrated pest management, Waithaka and his team use a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical methods to control pests, rather than relying solely on chemical pesticides.
He explained that Farming on God's Way is a sustainable approach to agriculture that can help protect the environment and improve the lives of farmers.
