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Beans ‘n’ spuds As part of its emphasis on encouraging farmers to diversify crops rather than depend solely on maize for income, the ADP last year ran separate week-long, community-based training courses in potato and bean cultivation for farmers. The ADP trained 99 farmers in growing Irish potatoes, distributing potato tubers to them as a type of revolving loan. The farmers agreed to repay the loan with 50 percent ‘interest’ so that seed from their first crop can benefit more farmers in the ADP. Each farmer planted an area of about 0.2 hectares. The farmers have a ready market for potatoes in nearby Lilongwe City. Their income is expected to rise significantly above the NZ$100 a year they currently earn, possibly to as much as $2000 a year eventually. People have been growing beans in a limited way for many years in Chata, however, pests and crop diseases made it unprofitable. World Vision organised training for 72 farmers with a specialist from a Government-owned research station. The farmers learnt how to identify and control plant pests and diseases, and how to market their crop effectively. Chata ADP supplied two tonnes of assorted bean varieties to the course participants. Each farmer planted an average of 0.4 hectares in beans. The dry spell at the start of the growing season affected the crop, however most farmers managed to harvest more than 500kg of beans. The ADP purchased the bean seed from the Government research station, which buys the seed from local sub-contracted farmers. Now that these 72 farmers have learnt how to grow good quality, pest- and disease-free beans, they will also be able to sell their produce to the research station, thereby significantly improving their income. |
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