LEARN SUSTAINABLE FARMING WITH THE MACHOBANE FARMING SYSTEM
Through time-tested techniques like intercropping, natural soil enhancement, and water-smart farming, the Machobane Farming System empowers farmers and gardeners to thrive — even in challenging environments. By working with nature, not against it, you can grow healthier crops, protect your land, and ensure a sustainable food supply for generations to come.
What is the Machobane Farming System?
MFS is a low-cost, sustainable farming method that focuses on year-round food production, soil improvement, and natural resource management.
It uses low external inputs (mainly manure and ash) and smart farming practices like relay intercropping and crop rotation to enhance resilience, soil fertility, and household food security.
CORE PRINCIPLES
Low External Inputs
Year-Round Harvests
Multiple Crops
Minimal use of synthetic fertilizers; relies on natural methods (compost, manure, ash)
Crops are carefully scheduled to ensure continuous food production.
Several types of crops are grown together (relay cropping and intercropping)
Soil and Water Conservation
Adaptation to Climate
Techniques like mulching, double digging, and green manuring improve water retention and soil health.
Practices are tailored to both rain-fed and irrigated conditions.
CORE PRINCIPLES
Mulching
The process of covering soil to conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and regulate temperature. In the MFS generally organic mulches are preferred, ranging from crop residues, dead leaves, composted manure, tree prunnings etc.
Manure Application
Organic manure naturally enriches the soil with nutrients, improves its structure, and boosts moisture retention. In MFS several types of animal manure such as cow / sheep & goats / pig / chicken / horse can be used as mulch when composted or matured.
Green Manuring
Planting crops like legumes and then ploughing them back into the soil enriches it naturally. These crops add vital organic matter, improve soil structure, and increase nitrogen levels, which boosts the fertility of the land for future crops.
Relay Intercropping
Planting different crops in succession within the same season optimises soil nutrients, moisture, and space. It naturally improves soil health, supports biodiversity, manage pests and ensures a continuous harvest.
Double Digging
Techniques like double digging break compacted soil, allowing roots to grow deeper and access more nutrients and water. This improves soil health, reduces water runoff, reduces erosion, and supports stronger, more resilient crops.
Crop Rotation
Involves systematically changing the types of crops grown on the same land across different seasons or years. This practice helps break pest and disease cycles, maintains soil fertility, and balances nutrient use.