Lusaka – Titus Mwanza switched from farming tobacco to cultivating numerous crops resembling soybeans, sunflowers, groundnuts and maize 4 years in the past, after his household confronted well being and financial challenges related to tobacco farming. 

“What made me to cease tobacco farming is the issues that had been in my household and the earnings weren’t good,” he says. “The illnesses concerned in tobacco, most cancers… those that smoke expertise various kinds of illnesses,” says Titus.

Titus’s dedication to alter was strengthened in 2023 by an trade go to to Migori, Kenya, the place in 2022, World Well being Group and companions launched the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative, which helps tobacco farmers to modify to various crops.   

 On his return, he centered on educating former tobacco farmers about sustainable and worthwhile various crops and higher diet. In his neighborhood, Titus emphasizes the well being advantages and financial benefits of different crops, which not solely present sustenance but in addition enhance neighborhood well being by decreasing tobacco-related illnesses. 

“I encourage that we eat what we farm,” he says. “We farm maize that we eat, then cowpea, we eat, we make milk out of soya beans, we additionally make sausages out of soya beans, these are all meals. Tobacco is just not meals.” 

Titus highlights vital enhancements in his and his household’s well being since leaving tobacco farming. His high quality of life has improved, he says, stating that he now not experiences the well being points that plagued his household throughout his tobacco farming years. He hopes to encourage extra farmers to transition from tobacco farming to more healthy worthwhile crops.