AFRICA 2002: Stepping to success

Visitors to southern Africa at harvest time this year would be confronted with acres and acres of stunted, wilting maize crops. The story is much the same in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Malawi or Mozambique.

Wonderfold and Elizabeth Chiromo’s farm in southern Malawi, is therefore something of an oasis in a desert. Even in winter, when fields in this part of the world are usually dormant, their land is thick with healthy, green foliage. The strong plants indicate another fine maize crop is on its way.

But only a year ago the Chiromos would be in the same boat as their neighbours, watching their children go hungry and dependent on food aid – a consequence of two years of severe drought.

The transformation came through a World Vision low interest loan to buy a simple piece of technology known as a treadle pump, and a dogged determination on the part of the Chiromos to make the technology work.

A treadle pump is simply a water pump fixed on top of a borehole to draw water. But unlike similar pumps found in Africa, which are operated by hand, the treadle pump resembles a stepper machine in a gymnasium, and is worked by repeatedly pressing levers with one’s feet.

The pumped water can then be fed through a series of plastic pipes to take it to every part of a farmer’s fields to nourish thirsty plants.

Elizabeth says they first became interested in treadle pumps when they saw some other farmers use the technology, with spectacular results.

“Their fields were just a dream,” she says, “they made us feel jealous.”

The Chirongo’s were determined to emulate their success and approached staff at World Vision’s Mlolo Area Development Programme for training and a loan for a pump for their own farm.

Elizabeth admits digging the borehole and setting the system up was a challenge. When they began they had to do much of the hard labour on empty stomachs, since their food resources were so low.

“We really had to lift ourselves up to do it. We had to work long hours in the scorching sun,” she says.

“But it was worth the effort. We see those around us suffering terrible problems with hunger, but we have made great headway.”

In addition to feeding themselves, the Chiromos have been able assist their extended family, who would otherwise be in dire straits.

But the good times don’t come without some sacrifices. Wonderfold must spend several hours a day operating the pump. It keeps him fit. The 54 year old has the body of an athlete – plenty of muscle and not a spare ounce of fat. Elizabeth is also roped in for treadle duty and finds it an especially exhausting chore.

But the effort has proved well worthwhile. Wonderfold is looking forward to a new era of prosperity for the family. In former times, like most farmers in the region, he was only able to harvest once per year and drought could easily wipe out his entire crop. Now, even if the weather is dry, he can confidently expect up to three harvests, giving him the opportunity to sell surpluses.

World Vision began introducing treadle pumps to Malawi’s southern region in 2,000, when the agency started its Mlolo programme - 90 kilometres south of Blantyre on the Eastern side of the Shire river. So far it has distributed 80 pumps.

Mlolo Programme manager Weston Kasinje says the pumps are ideal.

“They don’t require fuel, they’re easy to operate and easy to maintain.”

In choosing farmers for the programme, World Vision looks for those who show a real interest, a willingness to dig boreholes and associated water channels, and the ability to learn how to use the system.

He says World Vision gives the training for free but it’s important that farmers pay back money for the pumps.

“It’s not intended as a punishment. It teaches that making progress is something you have to fight for and work for. You can’t just expect to be looked after,” Weston says.

Already the success of farmers such as Elizabeth and Wonderfold is generating a huge amount of interest in the community and World Vision is keen to expand the programme to more farmers.