Moringa Oleifera as a Climate-Smart Bio-Input for Enhancing Soil Fertility, Environmental Resilience and Crop Productivity in Smallholder Farming Systems
Otton Muyabe *
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Allan Tembo
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Danny Chisanga Musenge
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
Mwenya Silombe
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
Robert Banda
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Moses Mulenga
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
Mubanga Chishimba
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Sayowa Mubita
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
Elami Chola
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
Sydney Lumamba
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
Elijah Kahuma Kapula
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Alice Ezekiah Ngoma
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Inutu Kawina
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Demian Mooka Mubika
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Tophar Movwe
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
Nomsa Mbuzi
National Institute of Public Administration, Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, P.O. Box 31990, Lusaka, Zambia.
Sunduzwayo Banda
Information and Communications University Zambia, Plot No.19877/M/1A/392 off Shantumbu Road, Kafue, Lusaka, Zambia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Smallholder farmers are typically defined as producers cultivating relatively small landholdings, often less than five hectares, relying primarily on family labour and limited external inputs. These farming systems are predominantly rainfed, making them highly sensitive to climatic variability and environmental change. Land degradation is the broader process encompassing soil fertility decline, erosion, and structural deterioration. Soil erosion, the removal of topsoil by water or wind, is particularly damaging because topsoil contains the highest concentrations of organic matter and nutrients. Moringa is recognised as a climate-smart plant because of its ability to tolerate drought, poor soils, and high temperatures while maintaining biomass production. Moringa extracts contain phytohormones such as cytokinins and other bioactive compounds that function as bio-stimulants. Bio-stimulants enhance plant metabolic processes, including root growth and nutrient transport within the plant. Enhanced root development increases the root surface area available for nutrient absorption, while improved physiological activity raises nutrient use efficiency, defined as the plant’s ability to convert absorbed nutrients into biomass and yield. The chapter also highlighted productivity outcomes, showing that moringa interventions are associated with meaningful yield gains across cereals and horticultural crops. Overall, moringa offers a flexible and locally relevant pathway for strengthening productivity, resilience, and sustainability in smallholder farming systems.
Keywords: Soil fertility, bio-stimulants, cytokinins, smallholder farming systems