Farmers secrets (2025)

19/08/2025

LIVING SOIL, LIVING PLANTS, LIVING PEOPLE

By Tendai L Sachiti

🌍 The Big Idea

We are not separate from the land—we are extensions of it. The same microbial intelligence that turns fallen leaves into life-giving humus also teaches our bodies how to digest, defend, heal, and thrive.

When soils are alive, food is alive, and people live more fully.

This is not poetry. It is science with consequences for how long and how well we live.

🌱 Soil: The First Stomach of Life

Think of soil as the first stomach—breaking down organic matter, fermenting, exchanging, and preparing nutrients. Just as your gut microbiome keeps you alive, soil microbiomes keep plants alive.

Healthy soils:

Unlock minerals like zinc, magnesium, selenium, and iron.

Create phytochemicals—plant defense molecules that become our defense molecules.

Build soil structure, letting water soak in and stay.

Quote: “When we farm dead soils, we harvest sick food and sick people. When we farm living soils, we harvest living food and strong people.”

🥦 Soil → Food → Gut → Health

When crops grow in microbially rich soils, they carry:

Higher micronutrients → stronger immunity.

More antioxidants & polyphenols → lower inflammation.

Better fiber quality → fuel for your gut microbiome.

Our gut microbes feed on this fiber and release short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These repair our gut lining, lower blood sugar spikes, calm inflammation, and even regulate our brain chemistry.

Your gut and the soil are cousins in the same family of life.

🏥 Hospitals Already Use the Microbiome

This isn’t just theory. Hospitals are already treating patients by restoring microbes:

Recurrent C. difficile infection: microbiota therapies now save lives where antibiotics fail.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): some patients enter remission after microbiome-directed therapies.

Diabetes & Metabolic Disease: diet programs that target the gut microbiome improve blood sugar and cholesterol.

Childhood Allergies & Asthma: research shows kids raised near farms, exposed to rich microbial environments, have lower allergy risks.

Quote: “You cannot heal the human ecosystem without feeding its microbes. Agriculture decides the quality of that feed.”

🚫 Diseases We Can Prevent—or Even Reverse

Food is not a pill, but it is daily medicine:

Heart disease & hypertension → improved by mineral-rich, fiber-rich diets from regenerative soils.

Type 2 Diabetes → blood sugar stabilizes with nutrient-dense, high-fiber foods.

Cancers (risk reduction) → antioxidants from colorful regenerative crops protect DNA.

Depression & Dementia → the gut-brain axis means feeding microbes sharpens the mind.

Autoimmune conditions → microbial diversity lowers allergy, asthma, and inflammation risks.

⏳ Longevity and Life Expectancy

Average global life expectancy today: ~72 years. Many regions, however, are stuck around 60. Yet in places like Okinawa (Japan) or Sardinia (Italy), where people eat food from fertile soils, lifespans stretch past 100 years.

If farming and eating were realigned with regeneration:

Humanity could gain 10–20 more years of healthy life.

We wouldn’t just live longer, but push back the onset of disease.

Quote: “Longevity is not a supplement; it is a system—soil, seed, food, and daily habits working together.”

🌾 From Field to Hospital to Home

Farmers: Keep living roots in soil, integrate animals, compost, plant trees, cut chemicals.

Doctors & Hospitals: Prescribe food patterns that feed microbes, partner with regenerative farms.

Families: Eat 30 different plants per week, add fermented foods, and grow a little of your own.

🌐 One Health

Soil health, animal health, human health—they are one. Every regenerative act is not just ecological, it is biological medicine for humanity.

> We are not above the soil web—we are inside it.

Let us farm like our grandchildren’s bodies depend on it—because they do.

🔎 Further Reading

Microbiota therapies in hospitals (recurrent C. difficile, IBD).

Dietary trials (Mediterranean, high-fiber, fermented foods) improving microbiome health.

Regenerative farming trials showing nutrient density and resilience gains.

Signed,
Tendai L Sachiti

03/08/2025

Can Regenerative Agriculture Reverse Climate Change at Farm Level? – The Truth Every Farmer Must Know

By Tendai L Sachiti

For years, regenerative agriculture has been praised as the beacon of hope for reversing climate change. But what does the latest research say? Can smallholder farmers like us truly make a global impact just by changing how we farm?

Let’s break it down science vs reality.

1. Soil: The World's Largest Carbon Sink We’re Ignoring

The soil beneath our feet holds 3 times more carbon than the atmosphere. A 2024 study by the Rodale Institute found that if 10% of the world’s cropland adopted regenerative practices like no-till, cover cropping, and compost integration, we could offset up to 25% of global annual CO₂ emissions.

But here’s the catch: it's not about planting trees — it’s about regenerating soil biology. Healthy soil functions like a sponge, locking carbon through living roots, mycorrhizal fungi, and organic matter.

2. Biochar and Compost — Supercharging Soil Regeneration

Recent African research, including trials in Kenya and Zimbabwe, shows that combining biochar (charcoal fines from crop residues) with high-quality compost increases soil carbon retention by over 40% within two years.

Biochar serves as a “carbon battery”, while compost supplies the biology that charges it. This duo not only traps carbon but also improves Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), making nutrients more available for crops.

3. Microbes: The Unsung Heroes of Climate Action

In 2025, a breakthrough paper from the International Soil Microbiome Institute found that microbial biodiversity in regenerative soils is 300% higher than in chemically farmed soils. These microbes are the ones actively fixing nitrogen, decomposing organic matter, and stabilizing soil aggregates.

What does this mean for us? Every compost tea you brew, every time you leave crop residues on your field — you're multiplying armies of invisible workers fighting climate change beneath the surface.

4. The Power of Smallholders — Scaling Regeneration from the Ground Up

Large-scale industrial farms are slow to change. But smallholder farmers can scale regeneration faster because:

We are more adaptable.

Our fields are small but diverse.

We can incorporate livestock, composting, cover crops, and agroforestry simultaneously.

According to the FAO 2025 report, if just 15% of Africa’s smallholder farmers implement regenerative practices, the continent’s agricultural carbon footprint could drop by 30% within a decade.

5. It’s Not a Silver Bullet — But It’s Our Best Shot

Critics argue that regenerative agriculture alone cannot solve the climate crisis. They are partly right — water management, policy support, and global consumer behavior must also change. But the soil is the only scalable solution we can control with our hands.

What Can You Start Doing Today?

Plant cover crops (e.g., lablab, sunn h**p).

Add biochar to your compost.

Switch to no-till or minimum tillage.

Start foliar feeding with compost tea.

Incorporate livestock into your crop systems.

Each practice may seem small, but collectively, they have the power to regenerate both soil and atmosphere — starting from your field.

Let’s Discuss:

👉 Do you believe regenerative agriculture can truly reverse climate change? 👉 What practices are you already using that regenerate your land?

01/08/2025

IS YOUR SOIL ALIVE? HOW TO MEASURE SOIL HEALTH WITHOUT A LAB

By Tendai L Sachiti

“Healthy soil is not dirt—it’s a living system. If your soil was a city, would it be bustling with life or abandoned and silent?”

Across Africa and beyond, many farmers are waking up to a simple truth: soil is more than just something we plant in. It’s alive—or at least, it should be. And if it’s not, your farm is running on borrowed time.

In regenerative agriculture, we don’t just feed the crop. We feed the soil. But how do you know if your soil is healthy, especially without fancy tests or expensive labs?

This week, let’s go back to basics. Here are 3 powerful, no-cost ways to tell if your soil is alive and thriving—plus what to do if it’s not.

🧪 1. The Sniff Test

What to do:
Grab a handful of moist soil (from 5–10 cm deep) and smell it.

What you're looking for:
A sweet, earthy aroma—like a forest after the rain. That’s geosmin, a chemical produced by active microbes.

If your soil smells sour, metallic, or like nothing at all?
It’s likely lifeless, compacted, or anaerobic. That means poor drainage, low biological activity, and future problems with plant health.

✊ 2. The Squeeze Test

What to do:
Take moist soil in your hand, squeeze it tight, then open your hand.

What you're looking for:

If it crumbles easily, your soil has good structure and is well-aerated.

If it sticks like clay or runs like sand, it may be lacking organic matter or biological glue (from root exudates and fungal networks).

Why it matters:
The structure tells you if roots can breathe, microbes can move, and water can infiltrate. No structure = no life.

🐛 3. The Earthworm Count

What to do:
Dig a 20 cm × 20 cm × 20 cm hole in moist soil early in the morning.

What you're looking for:
At least 4–6 earthworms per hole. Fewer than 3? Your soil life is struggling.

Why this matters:
Worms are “ecosystem engineers.” If they’re missing, it means your underground system is not working right.

🚨 What If Your Soil Fails These Tests?

Don’t panic. Here are 3 ways to bring your soil back to life—fast:

✅ 1. Feed the microbes with compost and mulch

Avoid burning or exposing your soil. Spread compost (even unfinished) and thick mulch. Think of it as “feeding the underground livestock.”

✅ 2. Keep roots in the ground

Plants—especially cover crops—exude sugars that feed soil microbes. Even w**ds are better than bare soil.

✅ 3. Say no to harsh chemicals

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides may kill pests, but they also kill soil life. Shift toward natural amendments like fermented foliar sprays, compost teas, and biochar.

🌾 The Big Picture

In regenerative agriculture, the health of the soil is the foundation of your success. Every healthy root, every strong yield, every resilient plant—it all starts below the surface.

So this week, don’t just check your field. Listen to it. Smell it. Touch it. Dig in.
Because the best fertilizer is not a bag from the store.
It’s the eyes—and hands—of the farmer who knows their soil is alive.

💬 What did you find in your soil?

Share your experience or photos in the comments—we’re building a soil revolution, one test at a time.

26/07/2025

Fulvic Acid: The Farmer's Silent Partner in Soil Regeneration and Yield Improvement

By Tendai L Sachiti

In the journey to achieve regenerative agriculture and reduce our reliance on synthetic inputs, many farmers are rediscovering the incredible power of fulvic acid. Though small in molecular size, its effect on the soil, plants, and ultimately the harvest is transformative. This article dives deeper into what fulvic acid is, its benefits to farmers, its role in CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) improvement, and how it can change the game for heavy feeder crops like tomatoes.

What is Fulvic Acid?

Fulvic acid is a low-molecular-weight organic acid that forms naturally as plant and microbial matter breaks down in the soil. It is one of the most active components of humus, the rich dark matter that gives fertile soil its life-giving properties.

Unlike synthetic chemicals, fulvic acid is:

Water-soluble at all pH levels

Able to pass through plant cell walls, making it highly bioavailable

Rich in oxygen and functional groups that allow it to bind and carry nutrients

Benefits of Fulvic Acid to the Farmer

1. Enhanced Nutrient Uptake
Fulvic acid acts like a shuttle, chelating nutrients (especially cations like Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, K⁺) and delivering them directly to plant roots and into cells. This means less fertilizer waste and more effective feeding.

2. Increased Fertilizer Efficiency
When used with fertilizers—especially ammonium nitrate and micronutrients—fulvic acid improves their solubility and uptake. Farmers can reduce fertilizer rates while maintaining or even increasing yield.

3. Improved Root Growth
It stimulates root elongation and branching, helping plants access deeper moisture and nutrients.

4. Boosted Microbial Life
Fulvic acid is a food source for beneficial microbes and helps them thrive. Healthy microbial populations improve nutrient cycling and disease suppression.

5. Stress Resistance
Crops become more resilient to drought, salinity, disease, and temperature extremes.

🔍 What is CEC and Why Does It Matter?

CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) is a measure of how well your soil can hold and exchange positively charged nutrients. It's measured in meq/100g (milliequivalents per 100 grams of soil).

CEC Value Soil Type Nutrient-Holding Capacity

3–5 Very low (sandy soils) Poor; nutrients leach easily
6–10 Low Needs organic matter improvement
11–20 Moderate Good for most crops
20+ High (clayey soils) Excellent nutrient retention

Low CEC soils struggle to hold onto nutrients, leading to leaching and fertilizer inefficiency. These soils often appear tired, dry out quickly, and grow crops with poor vigor.

How Fulvic Acid Improves CEC and Soil Health

Binds with clay particles and organic matter, increasing the soil’s negative charge to hold more nutrient cations.

Delivers chelated nutrients more efficiently to roots.

Stimulates microbial activity, which helps convert organic matter into humus—raising long-term CEC.

Improves root-soil contact and enhances nutrient transport.

The more organic matter and active substances like fulvic acid present in soil, the higher its CEC and the better its nutrient-holding power.

Heavy Feeder Focus: Tomatoes

Tomatoes are an ideal example of a heavy feeder crop that thrives with fulvic acid support. They require high levels of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—nutrients that fulvic acid helps mobilize and deliver.

Quick Benefits in Tomato Production:

Stronger, deeper roots within 10–14 days

Darker, healthier foliage due to increased chlorophyll

More flowers and better fruit set

Reduced blossom end rot (linked to improved calcium availability)

Better drought tolerance due to enhanced nutrient uptake and root structure

Expected Yield Improvement:
Under well-managed conditions (with mulch, compost, and biochar):

Baseline yield: 20–25 tons/ha

With fulvic acid + amendments: 30–35+ tons/ha

General Guide to Fulvic Acid Application

Method Application Rate Frequency

Soil drench 3–5 ml/L Every 2–3 weeks
Foliar spray 1–2 ml/L Key stages: vegetative, pre-flowering, fruit set
Fertigation 2–3 L/ha Monthly or with fert feeds

Combine With:

Ammonium nitrate (for fast nitrogen boost)

Micronutrient sprays (zinc, iron, boron)

Compost teas or EM solutions

♻️ Supportive Practices to Maximize Fulvic Acid Benefits

1. Mulching

Retains moisture

Reduces nutrient evaporation

Supports fungal and bacterial networks

2. Compost

Adds stable organic matter, raising CEC

Provides a slow-release nutrient base

3. Biochar

High CEC material

Soaks and stores fulvic-acid-bound nutrients

Best when charged with compost or fulvic tea

4. Green Manures & Cover Crops

Improve organic matter

Prevent nutrient leaching

Feed soil microbes

⏳ When Will Farmers See Changes?

7–14 days: Increased vigor, greener leaves, better water use

21–30 days: Enhanced root growth, flower and fruit development

1–2 seasons: Visible soil structure change, higher organic matter, improved yields

Final Thoughts

Fulvic acid is one of the most underutilized tools in regenerative farming. It not only makes the most of every fertilizer dollar, but also begins the natural restoration of soil health. Especially when combined with mulching, compost, and biochar, it brings the soil back to life and increases yield without relying heavily on synthetic inputs.

For small- and large-scale farmers alike, investing in fulvic acid is investing in the long-term fertility and sustainability of your land.

Written by Tendai L Sachiti
Regenerative Agriculture Advocate

14/07/2025

Is Chemicalisation a Big No in Regenerative Agriculture?

By Tendai L Sachiti

As the world leans toward sustainable food systems, regenerative agriculture is gaining traction — not as a trend, but as a necessary shift in how we relate to the land. But one controversial question persists:

“Can we use chemicals in regenerative agriculture, or must we reject them entirely?”

This question is not just theoretical. It sits at the core of practice, ethics, and markets — especially as more farmers seek green label certification, target eco-conscious consumers, and transition from chemically intensive farming systems.

Let’s explore this deeply — not just to draw lines, but to build understanding.

🌱 What Regenerative Agriculture Actually Means

Regenerative agriculture is not a fixed recipe. It’s a principle-driven system that focuses on restoring and enhancing the natural functions of ecosystems, especially in agricultural landscapes. It seeks to reverse degradation caused by extractive practices.

Core Principles:

1. Build soil health and organic matter

2. Maximize plant and microbial diversity

3. Keep soil covered and alive year-round

4. Minimize synthetic inputs

5. Integrate animals wisely

6. Enhance natural nutrient and water cycles

7. Support community and fair value chains

The key word is regenerate — meaning to repair, restore, and revive soil, water, biodiversity, and the social contract between farmers and consumers.

Understanding “Chemicalisation”

“Chemicalisation” refers to systemic dependency on synthetic agricultural chemicals — including fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators, and preservatives.

These inputs, while initially useful for boosting yields, often lead to:

Soil microbial collapse

Residue accumulation in food and water

Pest resistance and secondary pest outbreaks

Nutrient imbalances and leaching

Farmer dependency and economic vulnerability

Regenerative agriculture is fundamentally opposed to this model — not because it’s anti-science, but because it’s pro-biology.

✅ The Role of Green Label Inputs: A Middle Path?

As regenerative agriculture matures, some inputs — often called green label chemicals or organic-approved inputs — are finding a carefully controlled place within regenerative systems, particularly during transition or in extreme cases.

These inputs are:

Derived from natural sources

Minimally processed

Biodegradable

Low risk to soil biota and beneficial insects

Listed by certifying bodies such as OMRI (USA), ECOCERT (Europe), NASAA (Australia), or local equivalents

Examples of Green Label Inputs:

Category Examples

Biopesticides Neem oil, pyrethrum, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium fungi
Fungicides Sulfur, potassium bicarbonate, copper sulfate (use restricted), baking soda
Fertilizers Fish emulsion, seaw**d extract, bone meal, rock phosphate, compost tea
Bio-stimulants Molasses brews, fermented plant juices, amino acid extracts, microbial inoculants
Herbicide Alternatives Vinegar-based sprays, clove oil, flame w**ding

🧭 When (and Why) Might These Inputs Be Used?

In ideal regenerative systems, inputs become obsolete because the ecosystem is self-regulating.

However, in real-world agriculture, especially where:

Soils are heavily degraded

Pest pressure is severe

Market demands are high

Certification is still in transition

…these inputs may be strategically and transparently used as a support system.

Best Practice Guidelines:

Use only inputs approved by your certifier or buyer

Apply based on thresholds, not schedules

Combine with biological strategies (e.g. companion planting, mulching)

Document usage to avoid disqualification during audits

Phase out over time as soil and crop systems strengthen

This is not a license to rely on inputs — it is a bridge to biological independence.

🌍 Global Certification and Consumer Markets

Whether you are farming in Rusape or Rwanda, Brazil or Bangladesh — access to premium green markets is growing. But so are the standards.

Most certification programs (e.g. EU Organic, USDA Organic, Soil Association, IFOAM, Demeter) follow some version of these principles:

No synthetic chemicals

No GMOs

Inputs must be traceable and compliant

Withdrawal periods required before certification approval

Even where green labels allow minimal use of certain inputs (e.g. copper or sulfur), they are strictly monitored and limited.

In other words: using green label chemicals is not a shortcut to certification — it’s a temporary tool under tight scrutiny.

📉 The Long-Term Goal: Chemical Independence

Regenerative farming is not about simply switching to “cleaner” chemicals. It’s about shifting the paradigm entirely:

From control → to cooperation

From prescription → to prevention

From artificial force → to biological intelligence

A true regenerative system relies on:

Rich, living soils that suppress disease and feed plants

Plant diversity that confuses pests and builds resilience

Microbes, fungi, and insects that form self-regulating ecosystems

Farmer observation and creativity, not dependency

In time, even green label inputs should become unnecessary.

📌 Summary: Is Chemicalisation a Big No?

Question Answer

Synthetic pesticides/fungicides/fertilizers ✅ Yes, a clear no in regenerative systems and green label standards
Green label / organic-approved inputs ⚠️ Conditionally yes, with restrictions and accountability
Routine chemical use ❌ Incompatible with regenerative goals
Strategic emergency use (during transition) ✅ Permitted, but must be documented and part of a phase-out strategy
Long-term vision 🌿 Biological self-reliance and soil-led health

Final Thought

Regenerative agriculture does not reject all inputs — it rejects dependency.

It challenges us to ask:

“Is this input regenerating life or suppressing it?”

“Will my soil be healthier next season — or more dependent?”

“Can I explain this choice to a consumer who trusts me?”

Green label inputs may have a place — but only as part of a bigger plan to exit the chemical mindset entirely. Not because chemicals are evil, but because biology is better.

29/04/2025

Azolla: The Tiny Water Plant That Can Help Farmers Regenerate the Land
By Tendai L Sachiti

In farming, we often search for big, expensive solutions to improve our soil, reduce costs, and boost production. But sometimes, the answer lies in something very small and simple — like Azolla, a floating water plant that’s making waves in regenerative agriculture.

What is Azolla?

Azolla (pronounced "uh-ZOL-uh") is a tiny green fern that grows on the surface of still water — in ponds, trays, or irrigation canals. It’s not just any plant. It works hand-in-hand with a special bacteria called Anabaena, which lives inside its leaves. This bacteria can take nitrogen from the air and turn it into natural fertilizer — something no ordinary plant can do on its own.

In short, Azolla feeds itself, and in doing so, it can feed your soil, your animals, and even help you save money.

Why Azolla is So Useful in Regenerative Agriculture

1. It Replaces Expensive Fertilizers

Azolla naturally produces nitrogen, one of the most important nutrients plants need to grow. Farmers who grow Azolla and mix it into their soil can reduce or completely stop buying chemical nitrogen fertilizers. That means fewer chemicals, lower costs, and healthier soil over time.

2. It Makes the Soil Better

When Azolla breaks down, it adds organic matter to the soil — like compost. This:

Feeds the helpful microbes in your soil.

Makes the soil hold water better.

Helps crops grow stronger and faster.

So instead of killing the soil with chemicals, Azolla helps bring it back to life.

3. It’s Free Animal Feed

Azolla is packed with protein (25–30%), minerals (like calcium and iron), and vitamins. You can mix it into the feed for:

Chickens (they love it!)

Goats and sheep

Cows and pigs

Rabbits and fish

Many farmers have cut down their feed bills just by adding fresh Azolla to their animals’ diets every day.

4. It Saves Water and Stops Weeds

When Azolla covers the surface of a pond or irrigation canal, it acts like a shade. This:

Keeps water from evaporating in the hot sun.

Stops w**ds from growing underneath.

Keeps the water cool and fresh.

In places where every drop of water counts, Azolla is a smart addition to the farm.

5. It Cleans Dirty Water

Azolla is a natural cleaner. It absorbs things like:

Excess nutrients from animal waste or fertilizers.

Harmful metals like lead or arsenic from polluted water.

That means it can help clean your fishpond, canal, or water tank — all while growing more Azolla.

6. It Fights Climate Change

Because it grows so fast (it can double its weight in just 3–5 days), Azolla pulls a lot of carbon dioxide out of the air. If farmers harvest and compost it regularly, it helps lock carbon into the soil — reducing greenhouse gases and fighting global warming in a natural way.

How Can You Grow Azolla?

You don’t need fancy tools. To grow Azolla, you need:

A shallow water tank or pit (even an old bathtub or basin works).

A little bit of cow dung or chicken droppings to get it started.

A warm, partly shaded area.

Once it takes off, you can harvest Azolla every day. It grows fast — and keeps on giving.

Final Thoughts

Azolla may look like just a small green w**d floating on water — but it’s a powerful tool for any farmer who wants to restore the land, grow healthy crops, feed animals naturally, and spend less money.

In regenerative agriculture, we say "work with nature, not against it." Azolla is nature’s quiet helper, offering real solutions — especially for smallholder and organic farmers.

So the next time you see a patch of green floating on a pond, take a second look. It might just be the future of farming.

22/04/2025

The Forgotten Link: How Regenerative Agriculture Can Restore Nutrient Density in Our Food

written by Tendai L Sachiti

Have you ever eaten a tomato that tasted like water? Or wondered why vegetables from your grandmother’s garden seemed richer, sweeter, more alive than what we buy today?

You're not imagining it.
Science now confirms what our taste buds and instincts have whispered for years—our food is losing its nutritional soul.
And it’s not just about flavor. It's about life itself—the minerals, antioxidants, and compounds that build our bodies, fuel our immunity, and even influence our emotions.

But here’s the hopeful part: we can reverse this decline. And the answer lies beneath our feet.

The Decline of Nutrients in Modern Food

Since the rise of industrial agriculture, we've focused on feeding the world with quantity, not quality. We've pushed plants to grow faster, bigger, and more uniform—often in soils stripped of life.

Multiple studies across the UK, US, and Africa show that over the last 50–70 years, levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins in common fruits and vegetables have dropped by as much as 40–70%.
Modern wheat, for example, contains far less zinc and protein than its ancestors.

But why?

Because when soil is treated like a dead medium—just a place to pour synthetic fertilizers and extract yield—it loses its biological richness. The soil microbiome, that hidden universe of fungi, bacteria, and tiny insects, dies. And with it dies the invisible web that delivers nutrients to plants... and then to us.

Soil Health = Human Health

Regenerative agriculture doesn’t just aim to produce food—it seeks to heal ecosystems. It sees the farm as a living organism, where everything is connected: the soil, the plants, the animals, the farmer, and the eater.

When we restore the soil—through composting, cover cropping, diverse plant species, and reduced tillage—we also restore the nutrient pathways that have been severed.

Think of a carrot grown in healthy, living soil. Its roots explore a universe of minerals, aided by fungi that act like tiny postmen, delivering phosphorus, potassium, and rare trace elements. That carrot becomes more than food—it becomes medicine.

New Discoveries: Soil Microbes and the Human Gut

Here’s where it gets even more fascinating. Scientists are now discovering that the soil microbiome and the human gut microbiome are mirrors of each other. The health of one reflects the health of the other.

In simple terms: you are not just what you eat. You are what your food eats.

When we eat food grown in lifeless soil, our guts suffer. Chronic diseases, mood disorders, and weakened immunity are increasingly being linked to the decline in food quality—and by extension, soil quality.

Regenerative agriculture offers a new paradigm: food as nourishment for the whole being, not just calories for survival.

A Global Awakening

From India to Kenya, from Australia to Brazil, farmers are beginning to measure food not just by yield, but by nutrient density. Devices now exist to scan food and measure its vitamin and mineral content. Some regenerative farms are even earning premiums by proving their food is more nourishing.

In Zimbabwe, where many still grow food on small plots, this movement has revolutionary potential. Imagine a village where the soil is alive, the vegetables are rich in iron and vitamin A, and malnutrition fades not because of supplements—but because the food itself heals.

Questions for You, Reader

What if the cure for many of our modern diseases isn’t in the pharmacy—but in the way we farm?

What would it mean to treat soil like a sacred partner, not just a resource?

Are we feeding ourselves, or are we slowly starving in abundance?

Let’s reawaken our respect for the soil. Let’s relearn the forgotten link between the health of the land and the health of our people.

The future of nutrition lies in the soil and it starts with us

written by Tendai L Sachiti

Farmers secrets

19/08/2025

03/08/2025

01/08/2025

26/07/2025

14/07/2025

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