…Lessons from Prof. Immanuel Mlenga’s Garden of Eden
By Pius Mtike
Not long ago, an audio clip entitled Hope for Malawi went viral on social media showcasing how Professor Immanuel Mlenga and his wife Nina were championing an initiative coined Edenic Philosophy, a concept that is poised to revolutionize Malawi’s agro-based economy if adopted by many farmers.
On Mother’s Day Holiday 16th October 2023, a group of Zomba-based farmers under the banner of Tilime Whats App group, braved the heatwave to trek down to Mlenga Village, Traditional Authority (T.A) Mwambo in Zomba to interact with Professor Immanuel Mlenga and family to appreciate the practical application of the Edenic Philosophy.
We arrived at “Odi House” at around 10:00 am and we were welcomed by Mlenga himself and his wife Nina, a Ghanaian national and biomedical scientist turned into an organic farmer.
Setting the climate of the learning visit, the industrious Malawian son and ever-smiling Mlenga lightly commented: “We decided to name our home Odi House, because, every day is punctuated by echoes of knocking of visitors from far and beyond who come to learn from us and appreciate our humble contributions to this beautiful nation”.
The Genesis of Edenic Philosophy
In his own words, Professor Mlenga gave the background of the Edenic Philosophy saying the Biblical story of the genesis of creation as it began in the garden of Eden which entails that this was the biggest gift God gave to man: “The main purpose for the garden, was for man to co-exist in harmony with all other creatures. This emphasizes that the epitome of God’s creation is the garden. Where man should work in harmony with all other creatures to promote God’s creation”.
According to the philosopher and scholar, the cultivation of land planting of crops, and fruits, and taking care of animals which, we call Agriculture is what Adam was commended to do.
“Through our local garden of Eden, we portray, rubber stamp the importance of Agriculture in our day-to-day lives,” Mlenga explained.
From theory to practice, the couple took farmers around their own local garden of Eden which is endowed with flora and fauna. The garden is a beehive of excellence for integrated agriculture such as fish farming, apiary, irrigation, animal husbandry as well and compost manure production.
“The green canopy at this place is a testimony to the sustainability of the agriculture system being practiced here”. Mlenga emphasized.
Use of organic manure
By the way, Professor Mlenga’s Garden of Eden is organic. Taking her turn Mlenga’s wife, Nina, a biomedical scientist who is championing the production of compost manure, had also lessons to facilitate the benefits of organic farming. According to her, the Biblical Garden of Eden was also chemical-free.
She said: “They never used fertilizer to enhance their crops, instead, they used natural organic manure from leaves and animal dung. The harvest was bountiful.”
Nina highlighted health hazards that chemicals such as fertilizers pose to our bodies resulting in health issues such as cancer and kidney problems. She emphasized that the use of organic fertilizer promotes good health and longevity.
The nation, according to Professor Mlenga, stands to develop socio-economically if the Edenic concept is adopted. He cited a litany of possible benefits which included national food security, the promotion of food exports which can attract the much-needed forex and create employment, among other benefits.
Learning is dynamic
On exiting the local garden of Eden, the group of farmers had different testimonies to share on lessons learnt.
“Learning is a dynamic process; I have decided to bring my students here soon to enrich them with this practical knowledge of the Edenic Philosophy. The concept is a recipe for the socio-economic transformation of this country. This is a game changer”, confessed the University of Malawi Associate Professor in Economics Gowokani Chijere Chirwa.
James Chiwanda, leader of the grouping and the brains behind Tilime Farmers Group was quick to observe that farmers can achieve a lot if they work together, and Edenic Philosophy was an eye opener.
The group of farmers was also impressed with the way the Mlenga’s are making use of closed Professor Mlenga Academy classroom blocks which have been turned into fishponds, another money spinner. This is one of the wonders in the Mlenga Garden of Eden.
For those planning to replicate the concept of Eden Garden, Mlenga avows free technical advice: “Make sure that you have a good source of water to continuously support life in the garden of Eden: Water! Water! is the heart of the Edenic garden concept”.
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