Why Self-Sustainability Is the New Self-Empowerment

Urban life can be a bit of a juggling act with bills, traffic, school runs, and trying to keep your budget from catching fire at the grocery store. For many of us living in places like Meanwood Ndeke in Lusaka, Zambia, the dream of owning a big farm might feel out of reach. But here’s the thing: you don’t need a massive piece of land to take control of your future. You just need to start where you are, even if it’s with a few chickens and some tomato plants in your backyard.

Bujianna Banda, the founder of Back 2 Basics Organics, at her urban farm in Meanwood, Lusaka

Welcome to the world of urban self-sustainability, where the goal isn’t perfection, but progress. It's not about being 100% self-sufficient (although hey, that would be nice) but about using what you have to make life a little easier, a little healthier, and a lot more secure, not just for you, but for the next generation.

Why Urban Self-Sustainability Matters in Zambia

Let’s face it - most of us are living on fixed incomes while prices for basic goods keep playing musical chairs. One week a tray of eggs is K65, the next week it’s pushing K100. Fruits and vegetables are increasingly expensive, and don’t get me started on protein.

Urban sustainability helps us bridge the gap. It's not just about saving money (although that's a big bonus); it's about taking back control of what goes into our food, what we feed our families, and what we leave behind for those who come after us.

Zambia is urbanising quickly, and land is getting more expensive. Many people in Lusaka and other towns are living on small plots or renting homes with very little outdoor space. So, the old idea that "you need a farm to grow food" doesn't really work anymore. The question is no longer "how much land do you have?" but rather, "what are you doing with what you have?"

Our Plot in Meanwood Ndeke: A Working Example

Talk is cheap and quite frankly there is too much talking with no corresponding action. As an example of what’s possible, let us look at our little corner of the world, a 2,000 square meter plot, right here in Lusaka. It’s not huge but we’ve made it work. And more than that — we've made it productive.

Video Tour of Villa de Buji - an urban farm in Meanwood, Lusaka

We’ve planted over 200 trees, including guava, mango, avocado, mulberry, banana, and lemon. We grow vegetables seasonally — tomatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, okra, and herbs for making teas and sauces. And let’s talk about livestock. We keep chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, and bees. Soon we’ll be adding rabbits, ducks, and fish to the mix. It’s a full-blown ecosystem. Not to mention the stray cats and multitude of birds that call our place home.

Visit our website back2basicsorganiks.com to find out more of the sustainable projects we are working on.

How we make the most of our small space

You don’t need 2,000 square meters to get started. You just need a bit of space, some creativity, and a willingness to try. Here are some practical things anyone can do, even in a small yard — or on a concrete slab:

1. Grow in Containers

Use buckets, old tires, or sacks to grow herbs, tomatoes, onions, or even potatoes. Vertical gardening can double your growing space.

2. Raise Chickens

With just 4 to 6 hens, you could have a steady supply of eggs for your family. Chickens don’t take much space and they love kitchen scraps. They're basically the original recyclers.

3. Compost Everything

Composting kitchen waste and dry leaves turns "trash" into fertile soil. It’s good for your plants and reduces what you throw away.

4. Catch Rainwater

Even a few drums can go a long way. Use it for watering plants or washing and reduce your water bills.

5. Use Your Skills to Add Value

With a few ingredients, we make jam, cheese, herbal teas, sauces, and natural oils. You don’t need a factory. A clean kitchen, proper hygiene, and good packaging are enough to start.

And yes, the whole family is involved. Okay, my daughter is somewhat interested but she picks up things subconsciously. She helps with chores (sometimes willingly, sometimes with the promise of strawberries or banana bread). She also gets the important job of being an official taster of teas, sauces, and cheeses. If it passes her taste buds, it goes on the market. If it doesn’t, well… back to the kitchen.

Generational Wealth Starts at Home

When people hear “generational wealth,” they often think of trust funds or big businesses. But the truth is, generational wealth begins with habits. It begins with creating a lifestyle that produces more than it consumes and teaching your children to do the same.

Raising animals, growing food, cooking from scratch, and understanding the value of hard work. These are skills that money can’t buy, but that can build wealth over time.

By making deliberate choices like planting fruit trees instead of decorative hedges or turning your lawn into a vegetable patch, you are literally investing in your future. Fruit trees planted today will feed your grandchildren. Compost bins today mean fertile soil for years. Chickens bought today might become the poultry business your children run tomorrow.

Let’s be honest - life is unpredictable, but food security is one of the most stabilizing forces any household can have. We sleep better knowing that no matter what the economy does, we have fresh eggs, vegetables, and various protein sources coming from our own yard. That’s peace of mind. That’s wealth.

Involving the Family: Because No One Wants to Feed Goats Alone

It’s important to involve the whole family, not just for help, but for building a mindset. Children raised around animals, gardens, and hands-on work learn problem-solving, patience, and discipline. They also appreciate where food comes from — no, bananas don't grow in the back of Shoprite.

I am working on getting my kid to not only work with me but take ownership of the project. And one day, she’ll remember it, carry it forward, and maybe improve on it. That’s how wealth — not just financial, but practical and cultural wealth — is passed on.

Closing Thoughts: Start Now, Start Small, But Start

Urban self-sustainability isn’t about being off-grid or living like a hermit. It’s about smart, small changes that add up to something bigger. It's about reducing dependence on unpredictable food systems and building a lifestyle that feeds your family — in every sense of the word.

If you’re in Lusaka, Kabwe, Ndola, Kitwe, or any urban area in Zambia, now is the time to rethink what’s possible with your home space. Whether you have a backyard, a balcony, or just a sunny window — you can grow, raise, make, and build.

Will you become 100% self-sufficient? Probably not. But can you hit 50% or more? Absolutely, but only if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and think outside the box.

So go ahead and plant that tree, buy those chickens, start that compost. Your future self (and your future grandkids) will thank you. And hey, even if all else fails, you’ll never have to panic about where to find fresh eggs again.

If you are curious about the urban farm experience contact us for a homestead tour on +260 979489509, or book a stay for a few days in our self catering Cottage via airbnb.