Stories of Change
Kasungu
On March 11, JCED hosted an open day for the Environment and Food Security Project in Kasungu District. TA Kaomba joined JCED staff and project beneficiaries in Kantchembere village to showcase the project's ongoing progress since it started in August, 2016. JCED has been promoting conservation agriculture with female farmers through demonstration plots and extension services. Environment and Food Security Project Officer, Matthews Phwandaphwanda, offered a warm introduction to open the day's events and describe the program. Shortly thereafter, the farmers began the day by exhibiting the four maize demonstration plots at the Mkango Farmer Field School (FFS).
JCED has thirty demonstration plots for farmers and three demonstration plots for primary schools in Kasungu to illustrate conservation agriculture technologies. Farmers learn practices and techniques such as manure making, afforestation, soil cover, and maize variety selection through participation in the demonstration plots. At the open day, the women proudly showed off the work they've done on and what they have learned through the demonstration plots. The farmers shared the process that led to the current progress in the demonstration plots.
There are four adjacent demonstration plots that each contain three varieties of maize. Each plot was applied with a different type of manure; Chinese manure, bocash manure, humanure, and no manure. The women started with land preparation and demarcation, then minimally tilled the land to break the pan, covered the plots with crop residues, made manure, prepared for planting, applied the manure, planted maize and beans, and finally await harvest in May.
The female farmers proudly shared the progress of the demonstration plots, to the joy of the other villagers, chiefs, and JCED staff. The women shared which manures and varieties of maize were the most successful. The women learned extensively through practice and farm field schools, JCED's method of bringing women together to observe the garden, make assessments and observations on the crop and field conditions, and make decisions about which maize varieties and manures are the most successful.
The women's presentations demonstrated considerable knowledge about and passion for the agricultural techniques they have learned through JCED's programming. The traditional authority, Kaomba, asked the women questions about the progress they've made throughout their presentations and they responded thoroughly. Reflecting upon the open day event, Environment and Food Security Project Field Officer, Bertha Mwanyongo, commented that she was, "happy with the way women were explaining as it shows that they understand what they're doing and will practice what they've learned in the future." The women are immensely knowledgeable about conservation agriculture and maize production. Furthermore, they are excited to know how to make manure and depend less on inorganic fertilizer that is often very expensive and sometimes unavailable or unaffordable. Chinese manure and bocash manure are easy to make out of local materials and are ready for application in twenty-one days. Inorganic fertilizers can also be harmful to the environment. Manure reduces cost of production and assures a good harvest every season.
After the farmers' presentations, two women demonstrated another aspect of JCED's Environment and Food Security Project, energy efficient cookstoves. Surrounded by a curious audience, the women cooked using an energy efficient cookstove and a three stone fire, to illustrate the difference in fuel consumption and the time to prepare food. The women expressed that the energy efficient stoves use less fuel and emit less smoke. The three stone stove cooks slightly faster than the energy efficient stove, however it also consumes more wood fuel. After the demonstration, when asked who still needed or desired a stove, many women enthusiastically shot their hands up in the air expressing their interest.
Following the presentations of the demonstration plots and the energy-efficient cookstoves, the community gathered together to hear from JCED staff and TA Kaomba and celebrate through dance and poetry. The Group Village Headman (GVH) welcomed the people and expressed how JCED is bringing hope to the farmers in the impact area through education on demonstration plots. Next, Father Makasa thanked the women for the precious work that they're doing and asked them to continue in their work as the success of the project relies on them. Dr. Steve Makungwa echoed Father Makasa's message, expressing how he appreciated the leadership in the area for allowing JCED to initiate the project and the villagers for supporting the project. Dr. Makungwa also thanked partners from the EPA, the District Agriculture Development Officer, and the District Forestry Office for the support they extended to the project. Finally, he expressed that JCED would like to go beyond what it is currently doing and focus on reaching people in the community who are the most vulnerable. Dr. Makungwa hopes to meet with the TA to see how JCED could best set up a program to assist vulnerable populations. Furthermore, Dr. Makungwa shared how, in the following year, JCED would like to increase the activities of the project to amplify the impacts.
To conclude the open day ceremony, TA Kaomba shared his insights and excitement about JCED's work with the community. He said that he is excited with what JCED is doing in Kasungu and was particularly impressed to see how the farmers articulated issues related to the demonstration plots, demonstrating knowledge and confidence. TA Kaomba shared that the presentations of the women indicate that JCED is making a change in the community. He encouraged the farmers to continue what they have been doing and that next season, each farmer should implement what they have learned in the demonstration plots on their own for JCED's project to make its impact. Finally, TA Kaomba expressed his satisfaction with JCED's work and hopes that JCED can continue to work with farmers in Kasungu until the project's impact is fully realised.
JCED has thirty demonstration plots for farmers and three demonstration plots for primary schools in Kasungu to illustrate conservation agriculture technologies. Farmers learn practices and techniques such as manure making, afforestation, soil cover, and maize variety selection through participation in the demonstration plots. At the open day, the women proudly showed off the work they've done on and what they have learned through the demonstration plots. The farmers shared the process that led to the current progress in the demonstration plots.
There are four adjacent demonstration plots that each contain three varieties of maize. Each plot was applied with a different type of manure; Chinese manure, bocash manure, humanure, and no manure. The women started with land preparation and demarcation, then minimally tilled the land to break the pan, covered the plots with crop residues, made manure, prepared for planting, applied the manure, planted maize and beans, and finally await harvest in May.
The female farmers proudly shared the progress of the demonstration plots, to the joy of the other villagers, chiefs, and JCED staff. The women shared which manures and varieties of maize were the most successful. The women learned extensively through practice and farm field schools, JCED's method of bringing women together to observe the garden, make assessments and observations on the crop and field conditions, and make decisions about which maize varieties and manures are the most successful.
The women's presentations demonstrated considerable knowledge about and passion for the agricultural techniques they have learned through JCED's programming. The traditional authority, Kaomba, asked the women questions about the progress they've made throughout their presentations and they responded thoroughly. Reflecting upon the open day event, Environment and Food Security Project Field Officer, Bertha Mwanyongo, commented that she was, "happy with the way women were explaining as it shows that they understand what they're doing and will practice what they've learned in the future." The women are immensely knowledgeable about conservation agriculture and maize production. Furthermore, they are excited to know how to make manure and depend less on inorganic fertilizer that is often very expensive and sometimes unavailable or unaffordable. Chinese manure and bocash manure are easy to make out of local materials and are ready for application in twenty-one days. Inorganic fertilizers can also be harmful to the environment. Manure reduces cost of production and assures a good harvest every season.
After the farmers' presentations, two women demonstrated another aspect of JCED's Environment and Food Security Project, energy efficient cookstoves. Surrounded by a curious audience, the women cooked using an energy efficient cookstove and a three stone fire, to illustrate the difference in fuel consumption and the time to prepare food. The women expressed that the energy efficient stoves use less fuel and emit less smoke. The three stone stove cooks slightly faster than the energy efficient stove, however it also consumes more wood fuel. After the demonstration, when asked who still needed or desired a stove, many women enthusiastically shot their hands up in the air expressing their interest.
Following the presentations of the demonstration plots and the energy-efficient cookstoves, the community gathered together to hear from JCED staff and TA Kaomba and celebrate through dance and poetry. The Group Village Headman (GVH) welcomed the people and expressed how JCED is bringing hope to the farmers in the impact area through education on demonstration plots. Next, Father Makasa thanked the women for the precious work that they're doing and asked them to continue in their work as the success of the project relies on them. Dr. Steve Makungwa echoed Father Makasa's message, expressing how he appreciated the leadership in the area for allowing JCED to initiate the project and the villagers for supporting the project. Dr. Makungwa also thanked partners from the EPA, the District Agriculture Development Officer, and the District Forestry Office for the support they extended to the project. Finally, he expressed that JCED would like to go beyond what it is currently doing and focus on reaching people in the community who are the most vulnerable. Dr. Makungwa hopes to meet with the TA to see how JCED could best set up a program to assist vulnerable populations. Furthermore, Dr. Makungwa shared how, in the following year, JCED would like to increase the activities of the project to amplify the impacts.
To conclude the open day ceremony, TA Kaomba shared his insights and excitement about JCED's work with the community. He said that he is excited with what JCED is doing in Kasungu and was particularly impressed to see how the farmers articulated issues related to the demonstration plots, demonstrating knowledge and confidence. TA Kaomba shared that the presentations of the women indicate that JCED is making a change in the community. He encouraged the farmers to continue what they have been doing and that next season, each farmer should implement what they have learned in the demonstration plots on their own for JCED's project to make its impact. Finally, TA Kaomba expressed his satisfaction with JCED's work and hopes that JCED can continue to work with farmers in Kasungu until the project's impact is fully realised.
Mpherere
JCED works with the Mpherere Parish in Ntchisi on the Organic and Permaculture Vegetable Production Project. Our project aims to teach vulnerable women organic and permaculture food production techniques and enrich the environment. A group of thirty-four women work with JCED's Mr. Thole twice a week. While the majority of women are Catholic, any woman is free to participate in the program. JCED grows crops including soya, tomatoes, garlic, carrot, eggplant, beans, sweet potatoes, rape, and Chinese cabbage on two hectares of land. The women learn farming techniques that they can then utilize on their own land.
JCED's Organic and Permaculture Vegetable Production Project in Ntchisi encourages women to become self-reliant, through innovative agricultural techniques that do not rely on inorganic fertilizers. Mr. Thole, the project manager, says that the project's aspiration is, "for women to earn money, but not using inorganic fertilizer." Rather than purchasing fertilizer, which is often expensive, women learn how to make their own fertilizer and manure. JCED teaches the women and how to produce and utilize Bocashi, Chinese, Green and Compost manures. Each type of manure the women learn how to produce are based in different types of compost and mixed with crop residues. The women have successfully adopted organic and permaculture production techniques on their own land. The Parish priest of Mpherere is excited to continue to work with JCED on our programming and we hope the program continues to flourish.
JCED's Organic and Permaculture Vegetable Production Project in Ntchisi encourages women to become self-reliant, through innovative agricultural techniques that do not rely on inorganic fertilizers. Mr. Thole, the project manager, says that the project's aspiration is, "for women to earn money, but not using inorganic fertilizer." Rather than purchasing fertilizer, which is often expensive, women learn how to make their own fertilizer and manure. JCED teaches the women and how to produce and utilize Bocashi, Chinese, Green and Compost manures. Each type of manure the women learn how to produce are based in different types of compost and mixed with crop residues. The women have successfully adopted organic and permaculture production techniques on their own land. The Parish priest of Mpherere is excited to continue to work with JCED on our programming and we hope the program continues to flourish.