A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUBSISTENCE FARMING IN ZAMBIA AS PRACTICED BY THE LOZI PEOPLE. INCLUDED: MODERN SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

1. THE LOZI SYSTEM

2. The system is practiced by the Lozi people
 It is practiced on the upper Zambezi flood plain
 The seasonal movement of the Lozi people and
their animals from the flood plain when it gets
flooded to the upland and back is referred to as
transhumance

3. The Lozi system includes:
a) Litapa (Silapa)
 Done in plains with large shallow depressions which
receives annual flooding
 Sometimes crops are flooded before they become
mature

4.  b) Mazulu (Lizulu)
 Involves cultivation of crops on raised mounds in the flood plains.
 c) Lishango (Sishango)
 It is practiced at the edge of the plain which has constant seepage of water from
the plateau.
 d) Matongo (Litongo)
 This is practiced at the edge above the Lishango zone
 Most villages are located in this area because it is suitable for human settlement.
 e) Matema (Litema)
 These are found on the Barotse sands of the plateau
 Fields cultivated are large because soils are not fertile.
 Advantages of the system
 It allows the growing of a variety of crops
 It allows the growing of crops throughout the year.
 It provides rich and productive grazing land for cattle throughout the year

5.  Problems associated with subsistence farming
 • Soil erosion – This is the removal of topsoil by agents such as rain,
wind or running water.
 • Diminishing yields – This is the decrease in production mainly due
to unsustainable methods of
 farming e.g. Chitemene.
 • Deforestation – Due to cutting of trees which help hold soil
together. This can lead to soil
 erosion and desertification.
 • Bush fires – This is due to early burning of fields and hunting.
 • Lack of capital – No money to purchase inputs or machinery.
 • Lack of inputs e.g. fertilizers and seed etc.
 Long distance to markets especially to urban areas.

6.  associated with subsistence farming
 • Soil erosion – This is the removal of topsoil by agents such as rain,
wind or running water.
 • Diminishing yields – This is the decrease in production mainly due
to unsustainable methods of
 farming e.g. Chitemene.
 • Deforestation – Due to cutting of trees which help hold soil
together. This can lead to soil
 erosion and desertification.
 • Bush fires – This is due to early burning of fields and hunting.
 • Lack of capital – No money to purchase inputs or machinery.
 • Lack of inputs e.g. fertilizers and seed etc.
 Long distance to markets especially to urban areas.

7.  with subsistence farming
 • Soil erosion – This is the removal of topsoil by agents such as rain,
wind or running water.
 • Diminishing yields – This is the decrease in production mainly due
to unsustainable methods of
 farming e.g. Chitemene.
 • Deforestation – Due to cutting of trees which help hold soil
together. This can lead to soil
 erosion and desertification.
 • Bush fires – This is due to early burning of fields and hunting.
 • Lack of capital – No money to purchase inputs or machinery.
 • Lack of inputs e.g. fertilizers and seed etc.
 Long distance to markets especially to urban areas.

8. Task
1. Describe two sub-sytems of the lozi farming systems.
2. For two disadvantages of subsistence farming, describe the chitemene system.

9. IRRIGATION FARMING
This is the growing of crops in the dry part of the
year by supplying water from rivers, boleres,
reserviors etc

11. : AGRICULTURE IN ZAMBIA
SUBTOPIC: SOIL CONSERVATION

12. EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Soil erosion.
Deforestation
Destruction of natural homes of plants and animals.
Displacement of wildlife due to cleared land.
Desertification caused by cutting down of trees.
Pollution caused by burning

15. Soil conservation measures and sustainable
agricultural practices.
1. Contour ploughing – to retain moisture and avoid erosion.
2. Strip cultivation – protects the soil from erosion.
3. Crop rotation – to restore and replace nutrients.
4. Terracing – to retain moisture and check the flow of water downhill.

16. GROUP A
1. Mulching – covering the soil to retain moisture.
2. Ploughing across the slope to avoid erosion.

17. GROUP B
1. Controlled grazing – to allow for land regeneration.
2. Soil additives – adds nutrients to the soil.

18. GROUP C
1. Cover cropping – retains moisture and protects soil from erosion.
2. Afforestation – replaces cut down trees.
3.

19. GROUP D
1. Fallowing – Allows soil to regenerate.
2. Irrigation – Supplies additional water especially during droughts.
3. Organic farming – Use of leguminous

24. CONCLUSION
EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON THE ENVIRONMENT SOIL CONSERVATION
MEASURES AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

25.  IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION
 It enables farmers to produce crops two or three times in a year
 It is one way of increasing food production to achieve household and national security
(self sufficient)
 It transforms bare lands into areas of green vegetation
 METHODS OF IRRIGATION
 Splinklers
 Canals
 Flooding
 Over-head irrigation
 AREAS OF IRRIGATION
 Areas around lusaka for green maize, vegetables, flowers and wheat
 Chisamba area mainly for wheat but also coffee
 Mazabuka area for wheat and sugar
 Mpongwe area mainly wheat but also coffee