Organic farming staves off poverty

As a small-scale farmer from Makombe village under Chief Tande in Makoni district, Maforo could not afford to buy agro-chemicals and did not know how to venture into agriculture. Then her community became a beneficiary of the Global Environmental

Facility Small Grants Programme implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in 1987 through Makoni Organic Farmers Association.

The association, comprising 235 farmers in groups ranging between 15 and 30, is involved in organic farming.

The farmers grow organic vegetables including tomatoes, sugar beans, garlic, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and sugar beans for household consumption and sale.

Maforo has managed to generate a monthly income of $250 to $300 from the sale of her agricultural products.

“We are now realising higher yields because we know how to utilise natural resources to our advantage,” she said. Before that, Maforo had no steady source of income.

“The programme made sure that even a poor person like me was capacitated with the skills and knowledge to become a successful farmer without using a lot of capital,” said Maforo. “One does not need to buy agro chemicals and associated by-products to realise a good harvest.”

Maforo said since its inception, most communities were pessimistic about whether the project had the potential to succeed. “Some people pulled out of the project but for those who soldiered on, we are now reaping the benefits,” she said.

Steven Kugarakuripi, another beneficiary, said the association had managed to engage in diversified agricultural production.

“Farmers are involved in organic horticulture production, nursery management, mushroom production and beekeeping.”

He emphasised that the project was good for the community because it promoted chemically clean food production.

“Ever since I became part of this association, I have been able to network and create opportunities for growth. I am now linked to the business world and I hope that one day, I will able to export some of my agricultural products overseas.”

Under the programme, communities were shown how to construct liquid manure plants.

“Liquid manure plants improve soil fertility and we constructed our own manure plants at a household level,” said Kugarakuripi. Because liquid manure is good for insect control, this has minimised the cost of inputs for farmers.

“It is not only cost effective but it aids in the formation of humus and acts a plant tonic so we are able to realise huge returns,” said Kugarakuripi. Launched in 1992, GEF SGP supports activities of nongovernmental and community-based organisations in developing countries. GEF SGP has provided over 14,500 grants to communities in over 125 developing countries since its inception.