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To
Improve and Diversify the Agricultural Production in Northern Mozambique
Within Manda Wilderness Project
Introduction
This Project intends set up three cooperative farms to help local development
and assist tourism in the area. Through these farms, the Project will
introduce and encourage natural and sustainable methods of farming, which
will improve soil fertility, crop diversity, improve health and nutrition,
as well as create an income for growers through selling produce to tourist
Lodges in the area.
The Project will involve
villages, associated with the community game reserve project of Manda
Wilderness. This Project is located on the shores of Lake Niassa, in Niassa
Province of Northern Mozambique. The people of this region are from the
Nyanja tribe, many of who have recently returned after living as refugees
in neighboring countries. This is an exceptionally remote area, where
years of civil war and no development have resulted in a complete lack
of infrastructure. There is no employment in the region (except Manda
Wilderness Project), so poverty and ill health is predominant.
The Local Government
and the three Chiefs of the villages concerned have approved the Project.
Both Manda Wilderness, Mchenga Nkwichi Lodge and the community at large
have requested for this Project, and all strongly support it.
Current agricultural
practices
At present the only method of farming is the mono-cropping of cassava
(manioc), limited maize and rice. No crop rotation is practiced, the soil
is degrading, without regeneration being allowed to take place.
Research showed that
farmers are having problems producing healthy crops and that they themselves
have requested assistance.
When asked why they did not produce a more diverse crop, the answers were
simply that they did not have seeds and that the soil is poor.
Access to shops that
sell seed and fertilizer is essentially impossible, due to the remoteness
and lack of infrastructure in the area. The cost of these materials is
also beyond the means of virtually every farmer.
Locations
and Areas to be used
Three villages have volunteered to participate in this project. These
are Mala, Mbueca and Mandambuzi. All of whom border the boundary of Manda
Wilderness. Reasons for their selection;
1. They have requested
assistance
2. Shown a willingness to learn new and different methods of farming
3. Are in close proximity to the Mchenga Nkwichi tourist lodge, there
by reducing transport
costs.
4. Each village is next to a permanent water supply.
All three villages
have been visited, approvals for the farms have been given by the Chiefs
and the managers of Manda Wilderness Project.
Each village is willing
to donate three hectares (7.5 Acres) to the project. This land will be
divided into areas most suitable for the crops proposed, without interfering
with current agricultural areas. In the village of Mandambuzi, a small
area will be established around the school as a practical side to agricultural
lessons already taught. If successful, this will be replicated in the
other two villages.
Population Numbers
Mala - 320 Adults
Mbueca – 360 Adults
Mandambuzi - 570 Adults
Aims of the Project
There are currently no cooperative farms in the area although some fishing
associations do exist on the Lakeshore. To establish these farms is an
entirely new process starting with the very basics. It will be the first
time that anything like this has been attempted in the area.
The main objective
is to create a cooperative farm in each selected village. This farm will
be run by volunteers from each village and managed by a general manager
also from that village. All three farm
projects will be overseen by the Project Manager.
1. Each cooperative
farm will develop a natural, sustainable and environmentally sound practice
of farming, which will act as an example and teaching aid for other
communities in the area. Focusing on the necessity of improving soil
fertility and produce quantity as well as quality.
2. Each farm will
produce a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits. These will be sold
to Hotels and Lodges operating near the vicinity. This will provide
an income for each village project, ensuring sustainability and allowing
for expansion in the future.
3. By increasing
the variety of crops grown the nutritional intake of the villages involved
will greatly improve. Thereby improving general standards of health.
4. Medicinal herbs
will be grown and methods for their use will be taught, with the aim
to alleviate some health problems in an area where modern medicine is
nonexistent. Plants with insecticidal properties will also be grown
to assist in pest control and will be encouraged throughout the region
as an alternative to agro chemicals.
5. Seed collection
and storage will be an essential part for the sustainability of this
project. This will be taught from the first harvest. Excess seeds could
then be sold to other interested villages involved with the Manda Wilderness
Project.
6.
For the first year 10 chickens will be established on each farm as an
aid to farming, extra protein and financial income for the volunteers
on the project.
7. Hold 'Teaching Days', where the other 11 villages involved in the
conservation project will be invited to view the new practices used
in this project. Thereby hopefully replicating them in their own villages.
Setting up the Co-operatives
Each farm will run by between 10-20 people on a voluntary basis. It is
expected that each volunteer will work on the farm for two days per week.
Each farm will need a general manager to over see the farm. While not
in full time employment, this position will require a far greater commitment,
as they will also be expected to report to Manda Wilderness Project management.
This Project therefore
proposes that:
- Each General Manager
/ Translator receives an allowance of £7 per month for the two
year period.
- The Chief of each
village will select the General Manager.
- The proceeds from
the produce sold will be divided according to the time and effort that
each volunteer on that farm invested to that harvest. This will be decided
through records kept by the General Manager, who will not share in the
proceeds.
The prime objective
of these co-operatives is to be sustainable - by the end of the second
year all financial requirements will be met by the proceeds of sales.
The salary for the General Manager will not continue after the second
year.
The Project Manager
- Responsible for
raising the relevant funds.
- Providing detailed accounts for those funds raised.
- Providing information and technical advice to the farms.
- Full participation with the work on the farms.
- A link to a further source of information through e-mail access to
Agricultural organisations in the region.
- On going monitoring, assessment and motivation of all farms.
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