Our Farming Methods

What is Regenerative Farming?

 

Regenerative farming is a holistic approach to agriculture that works in harmony with nature to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. At its core, this method seeks to repair and rejuvenate the land while producing sustainable yields. Here’s how regenerative farming is shaping the future of agriculture and how we practice it at Meluka.

 

Rebuilding Soil Health

 

Healthy soil is the foundation of regenerative farming. By focusing on restoring soil organic matter and reversing degradation, we’re not only improving productivity but also contributing to a healthier planet. Here’s how we nurture our soil:

1. Mulching Instead of Burning

At Meluka, we’ve opted for mulching over burning practises. This method helps retain carbon in the soil, improves water absorption, and minimises erosion—an essential practice given our hilly topography.

2. Organic Fertilizers

We enrich our soil with Guanoboost, a premium organic fertilizer derived from seabird guano in Namibia. This ensures nutrient-rich, balanced soil to support robust plant growth.

3. Incorporating Soil Microbes

By enhancing the soil microbiome with beneficial microbes, we create fertile, balanced soil. These microbes play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, root health, and long-term soil vitality.

4. Manual land preparation

At Meluka, planting lines were laid out on contour which contributes positively to preventing soil erosion and improving water penetration. 

 

Encouraging Biodiversity

 

Regenerative farming thrives on biodiversity. At Meluka, we actively work to restore and preserve the natural ecosystems surrounding our land.

• Preserving Fungal Networks

Vital fungal communities remain undisturbed in the soil, ensuring healthy plant and tree relationships.

• Restoring Natural Habitats

We’ve have encouraged native flora to valleys and riverine areas, creating thriving habitats for indigenous species. As a result, Meluka has become home to diverse wildlife, including dwarf chameleon, bushbuck, genet, serval, porcupine, and numerous bird species like the long-crested eagle, red-chested cuckoo, and black-headed oriole.

 

Building Climate Resilience

 

Regenerative farming is inherently climate-friendly. By reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture, it ensures long-term sustainability in the face of climate challenges.

• Water Efficiency

By improving soil structure and reducing water use, we’ve strengthened the land’s ability to retain and utilise moisture.

• Erosion Control

Implementing good practises from land preparation, to planting, weeding and harvesting all play a crucial role in reducing soil disturbance and preventing erosion, especially on our steep slopes.

• Chemical-Free Practices

At Meluka, we hand-pull weeds and avoid chemical herbicides and pesticides, ensuring the ecosystem and our trees the crop remains uncontaminated.

 

A Step Beyond Conventional Farming

 

Regenerative farming represents a shift from conventional practices, focusing not just on sustainability but on actively improving the land. At Meluka, this approach allows us to produce high-quality, natural products while nurturing the environment we depend on.

 

By working with nature, we’re proving that farming can be both productive and restorative—cultivating a legacy of abundance for generations to come.