Hi, it’s a rainy season right here in Uvira/ Eastern DRC. CONGO FOR AGRICULTURE is going to make an agricultural revolution project of 2 hectors on corn in the local Fizi areas. Local women are the most priveleged, permaculture principles are also to apply.
Only wondering if ressources would be available to us
I’m available.
Mwalimu M’kelelwa Lameck and CONGO FOR AGRICULTURE Team +243 990606805, Uvira/DR Congo.
No worries, Graham. Have you received my email yet? I sent you one
I have a background in agroforestry, horticulture and have worked in Uganda (even near the border with Congo), South Sudan, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Kenya so I know your climatic zone well. I think with the agroforestry and permaculture community and advisors there is often a one-size-fits all. What most fail to realize is that there are stages of progression that you will likely go through if your women’s project focuses on savings and high-value agriculture. Ideologically driven agriculture which is becoming mainstream from the West who are advisors to small holders in Africa is moving away from a focus on economics, particularly important concepts such as tracking income per hour and return on investment when you have some money saved to invest. Sadly most of what I now see is advisors not being able to advise through the changes in practices with each stage of higher investment capacity. You may start with permaculture or agroforestry-driven system being the best at first and then eventually switch to having enough funds to invest in plasticulture, drip irrigation/fertigation, and hybrid vegetable seed developed specifically for tropical agriculture. That process can take years of gradually changes and different farmers will be at different stages depending on how wisely they invest but the concept of group dynamics in a Christian community supporting one another can bring the higher levels of income much faster. Don’t depend on outside financial support or it will likely rapidly cripple your project through dependency and entitlement. My email is janzen200@yahoo.com
Thank you for the information!