Organic and High Value Vegetables
Background
At present farmers depend on the sale of the same seasonal vegetables, posing risks for market saturation and falling prices. As a result, there is an increasing demand for a wider variety of fresh vegetables from Zambia's tourism industry.
Goals
To reduce poverty levels in Southern Zambia, Africa Now will be supporting 400 farmers and their households, totalling 3,200 beneficiaries, on the benefits of high value, organic vegetable production. By linking producers to viable local markets the project hopes to increase farmer incomes by 20-30%.
Project Summary
Africa Now seeks to support local farmers to diversify their crops through environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. Through the production of organic and high value vegetables, farmers can increase their income by meeting the demands of their community and the expanding Zambian tourist market.
The Organic and High Value Vegetables Project will:
- Establish a co-operative group to collectively represent farmers' interests to buyers and demand a fair price for their produce.
- Create a farmers market to provide a clean and well organised outlet for trade to the local population and the tourist industry.
- Link farmers to a Village Bank where they can access affordable credit to set up or develop enterprises, and save for the future.
- Run workshops with the Zambia Cross Border Trade Association on issues related to cross border trade agreements.
- Create awareness of problems affecting farmers by designing advocacy and lobbying strategies for Government and policymakers.
The Organic and High Value Vegetables Project is designed to enable disadvantaged communities in Zambia to improve their livelihoods and increase their household incomes. With more money, farmers will be able to send their children to school, pay for medicines and even save for the future.
Through building the capacity of farmers to trade within local and cross border economies and by providing access to high value markets, Africa Now hopes to reduce the number of people living in poverty.
Case Study: John Mwamba
John and his wife Mary have 5 children and care for three orphans. John grows onions, tomatoes, butternut squash and green beans on his farm in southern Zambia, but was struggling to earn enough to provide for his family. John began working with Africa Now in 2008, receiving training on crop diversification and organic farming techniques and was linked to local, reliable buyers.
Farmers involved in this project are already selling to local hotels and lodges. The next step is to establish a working farmers market owned and run by a local cooperative. The market will purchase produce from the farmers to sell on to a range of buyers, giving small scale farmers like John a ready market and the chance to create a better life.
John and his fellow farmers have reduced costs whilst raising the quality and yield of their crops. Their income has doubled through this simple approach. John has been able to build a new stone house for his family and support his children to continue their education on to college level.
How can you help?
This project urgently needs your help. A donation of £20 could help provide farmers with tools, seeds and training, and most importantly, a chance to earn a decent living from their land. For more information on the project, please contact Laura.
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