Chata, Malawi

Chiyabwe holds some of his cassava crop

Nasinati, 48, and her husband Chiyabwe, 53, have six children. A New Zealand family sponsors their 14-year-old daughter, Daliya.

Nasinati was among the first 100 householders Chata ADP sent for a cassava-growing course three years ago as part of its crop diversification project, partially funded by the New Zealand Government under its Voluntary Agencies Support Scheme (VASS).

Cassava (also known as manioc or tapioca) is a drought-resistant plant, whose starchy roots produce more calories per unit of land than any other crop in the world, except for sugar cane. The leaves provide vitamins and minerals and can be eaten as a vegetable.

“We received 300 cassava cuttings from World Vision,” says Chiyabwe. “I wanted more, so I worked in my friends’ gardens to get 200 more.”

The family planted the 500 cuttings in their 1.5 hectare plot. They invested all their first harvest back into the cassava garden, propagating cuttings for the next growing season and to pay for labour on their land. This quickly enabled them to double the size of their crop.

The ADP organised cooking classes where Nasinati and other women learnt how to make doughnuts, crisps, cakes, scones and soup from cassava.

“On her return [from the classes], I was amazed to see she was able to perform various miracles with cassava. The tubers can be used to make a variety of tasty food dishes like those sold in supermarkets in the city,” says Chiyabwe enthusiastically.

From sales of cassava, Nasinati and Chiyabwe have been able to build a four-roomed brick house, with a roof of corrugated iron sheets. However, it is something much more basic that Nasinati appreciates most about cassava, especially during Malawi’s recent food shortages.

“We’ve had regular and normal meals using our savings from cassava sales, including good breakfasts and teas with a variety of cassava dishes. The crop diversification project was timely and saved many lives from hunger.”