DIY fertilizer is a blessing as farmers face steep prices due to the Iran war
Zambian farmers are increasingly adopting bokashi, an ancient fermented compost method, to combat rising fertilizer costs caused by global trade disruptions from the Iran war. This organic alternative has become a popular, cost-effective solution for smallholder farmers to maintain crop yields.
Why it matters
It highlights how local, sustainable agricultural practices can provide resilience against global supply chain shocks and economic instability.
On 12 acres outside of Lusaka, Kanangwa Newlove has built a paradise.
Shady fruit trees dot her fields. During the growing season, long tomato vines drape over trellises. There are tidy rows of corn, pumpkins and a local leafy green called blackjack. Eleven varieties of lettuce.
"I started taking vegetables to my workmates, and before I knew it I was supplying the supermarket," Newlove says. "It went on and on."
For many farmers, 2026 has been a challenging year. The Iran war choked off the Strait of Hormuz and dramatically halted international trade shipments — including fertilizers . Prices spiked globally. The effects were quickly felt in African countries, where smallholder farmers are often vulnerable to rapid changes in fertilizer costs.''
Newlove, however, didn't feel the pinch. For years, she's fertilized her plants with a homemade, fermented compost known as bokashi.
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