Anti-burning campaign

A program to discourage slash-and-burn land clearing – the practice of cutting down trees on part of a forest to clear space for an agricultural plot – is preserving soil quality and improving yields for farmers in Zambia. The slash-and-burn system of farming is a historical practice in Zambia. It is a cheap and fast way to clear land but unfortunately has dire consequences for long-term soil quality.

Stronger soil
Farmers across Zambia have suffered reduced income and food security as a result of poor yields from soil damaged by fire. The soil reaches a point where it can no longer absorb and retain water. First Quantum’s intensive anti-burning campaign discourages indiscriminate burning. It has been delivered alongside a training program for conservation farming techniques as an alternative with the goal of improving soil structure and protecting against erosion and nutrient loss. Through these combined programs, the aim is to help create a more sustainable approach to farming, one that can provide an income for farming families long into the future.

Healthier, wealthier and happier
Under the slogan “Stop Burning: Be healthier, wealthier and happier”, the program also has additional health benefits. Through the lessening of slash and burn it helps by reducing exposure to smoke inhalation and subsequent acute respiratory infections, a leading killer of young children in developing nations such as Zambia.

It is important to note that this campaign did not happen in isolation. It was designed to complement existing programs put forward by the Zambian government that would not only help farmers but also meaningfully mitigate the nation’s climate change impact.