Farming
Rain Conservation Farming
We have provided funding for 10 farmers to be trained in this method of farming, and we have encouraged them to share this teaching with other farmers.
This method of farming teaches farmers how to conserve rainwater, to stop soil erosion and to increase their crop yields through the following techniques: the conventional method of digging over the whole area encourages soil erosion. Instead, farmers are taught to dig a hole where each plant is to be sown. Fertilizer is added to the base of each hole. Seeds are planted in each hole and covered with soil. A thick layer of mulch, including any fibrous vegetative material, is laid over the entire area.
This layer of mulch provides two important benefits. First, it will stop the sun from drying out the soil. Second, when the rain falls, it will be absorbed into this mulch layer and drain slowly down into the soil below, instead of running off the cultivated area and also eroding the soil in the process.
Crop Diversification
We are providing a variety of more drought and flood-resistant crops to give greater food security as follows:
Masika Maize is a variety of maize which matures in almost half the time of local maize, produces a much higher yield, and requires less rain. Plantain Bananas are cooked and eaten as a staple food. Their stems are thicker than local maize and the roots go deeper into the soil making them more resistant to drought and flooding. Millet takes only 90 days to mature and requires less rain than local maize. Cassava is a drought crop which needs to be planted while there is still some moisture in the soil, but it will then grow without further rain. It can be left in the soil for several years until it is needed. Soya Beans and Groundnuts are nitrogen-fixing plants which increase the fertility of the soil. They also provide protein for families and can be grown as a cash crop and sold at a high price. We also provide Fertilizer which dramatically increases crop yields.
