Agricultural Associations
Agricultural Associations improves production, increases income and diversifies the diet of rural families and empowers women who, for the first time in their lives, are earning their own income. Around 30-40 familiars participate in these agricultural associations where each one has a plot/piece of land to practice agriculture. For example, in this project we are in the transition phase from fossil fuel to clean energy. This year we are changing the regular irrigation systems of these associations to new solar irrigation systems. This project is increasing the income and production of smallholder families around the village of Mangunde (Chibabava district) thanks to the provision of agricultural supplies, skills training and the promotion of farmers associations.
Context and Problem
90 %
POPULATION PRACTICE AN
AGRICULTURE OF SUBSISTENCE
WOMEN
IN CHARGE OF HOME
AND FAMILY FIELD
RAINS LIMITED TO
3 MONTHS
PER YEAR
WATER SCARCITY
LACK OF IRRIGATION
FOR AGRICULTURE
The project is located in the town of Toronga, known as the Mangunde area. The town has a population of about 15.000 inhabitants, of which 50% are under 16 and 52% are women. Women are in charge of fetching water, preparing meals, husking and grinding corn and all the rest of the household. The man is in charge of working outside the home, but in an environment with limited employment opportunities many migrate to Maputo or South Africa, leaving women as heads of the family, who then are left with the responsibility of cultivating the families fields to grow corn and vegetables.
Subsistence agriculture, on the average sized plot of 1 to 2.5ha, is the predominant activity in the district, where practically all farms are rainfed, without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. The average yield of corn is below 1,000 kg/ha in a rainy year.
Production is very unstable and in years without sufficient rain, often lost completely causing malnutrition and food insecurity. The Buzi River runs through the communities of the district, but is unfortunately little used by the peasants. Drawing from this water source for the irrigation of these small-scale plots will secure agricultural production and significantly increase yields improving food security and sovereignty in the region.
Additionally, about 60% of the adult population is illiterate and their skills are limited to traditional farming techniques.
Goals
The objective of this initiative is to promote and strengthen farmers associations in the town of Toronga, currently formed by joint initiatives of smallholder families, who by working together increase their productivity, income and social capacity. They increased the amount of hectares they farm, irrigate their fields, use modern and sustainable farming techniques and so increased their productivity and profitability.
Our Impacts
Agricultural Associations working
Families benefited
Acres cultivated
People benefited
Solar Irrigation system installed