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23 January 2003
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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Chata project profile
CHATA STORY ARCHIVE
2008
Plenty to smile about
Zakeyo’s farm
Snippets
HopeChild
Counting down
2007
Model village
Snippets
2006
A glass of fresh water
Sweet
Snippets
Rabbits, rabbits everywhere!
2005
Snippets
Food security
2004
Don’t adjust your set
Snippets
2003
Real answers
Trees for life
Snippets
Beans ‘n’ spuds
Thinking outside the square
No kidding
Cassava miracles
Hunger & cholera
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