Strengthening Community Based Organic Fertilizer Production and Green Youth Entrepreneurship Experimental Techniques

for Conserving Soil Nutrients and Land Restoration

1.     Project description

Soil fertility for sustainable agriculture is our concern in this project, farmers are failing to conserve soil nutrients due to poor knowledge, poverty and infrastructure, and most farmers still practice subsistence farming. This project focus is towards supporting the farmers and improving farm based organic fertilizers production, increased productivity for income generation, this project proposes to implement a sustainable farming and help in improving the knowledge of farmers on various aspects of sustainable farming, which are helping farmers in improving the productivity from their farms, thereby improving their income. 

Agriculture is the main economic activity for over 88% of people of Zambia. The agriculture sector contributes 47% of Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product and over 80% of foreign earnings come through exports of Coffee, Tea and other agro-based products. The most commonly cultivated crops include cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes, maize, plantains, and beans. 

Though agriculture production has improved in Zambia over the last decade, it has yet not reached its true potential. Future Community Foundation suggests the following challenges that the agriculture sector in Zambiaa currently faces.

Ø  Scarcity of land, which is an outcome of high population.

Ø  Deterioration of soil fertility and severe land erosion.

Ø  Very low levels of inputs in the form either organic manure or other fertilizers.

Ø  Agriculture is based on rainfall as little irrigation goes on in Zambia.

Ø  Low purchasing power among the rural people.

Ø  Lack of awareness about market dynamics by the farmers in the country.

Ø  Limited market participation by the farmers

Ø  Lack of access to financial services.

Ø  Agricultural advisory services are not easily accessed by the rural farmers.

The Future Community Foundation also emphasizes on the need to adopt good agricultural practices to deal with the existing problems that the sector faces.  FCF identified the following major challenges that the agriculture sector in Zambia, currently faces.

Ø  Land degradation and soil erosion are among the main challenges faced by agriculturalists: 90% of domestic cropland in Zambia is on slopes ranging from 5% to 55%, which leads to soil loss, erosion and reduced fertility.  It is estimated that 1.4 millions of tons of soil per year is lost, accounting for a loss of 320.000 US dollars.

Ø  Land use and distribution: Women in Zambia face difficulties in land inheritance and have insecure land rights, because of which they are unable to use their land efficiently.

Ø  High dependence on rainfalls: Zambian agriculture is highly dependent on rains and a very low percentage of farmers use any form of irrigation.

Ø  Low levels of productivity for both crops and livestock: Farmers in Zambia follow inefficient farming practices which results in poor yields.  

Ø  Poor Processing capacity: Zambia has a very low share of processed food; as a result a lot of harvested products get wasted in the absence of proper marketing or value addition.

Ø  Lack of access to appropriate technology: Farmers do not have access to appropriate technology that can help them in reducing post harvesting losses.

Ø  Due to poor knowledge, poverty and infrastructure, most farmers still practice subsistence farming. Towards supporting the farmers and improving farm base income, our organization proposes to implement a sustainable farming project.  The proposed project will help in improving the knowledge of farmers on various aspects of sustainable farming, which will help them in improving the productivity from their farms, thereby improving their income.

 

2. Project progress up to now

Guiding Project Objectives

Ø  To promote sustainable farming practices through awareness generation and demonstration in Zambia.

Ø  Establishment of 10 farmer training centers to provide training on aspects of sustainable farming to 1000 identified farmers.

Ø  Establish 50 farmers’ libraries and common facility areas to provide agricultural inputs – quality seeds, manure and other equipment to the farmers.

 

Project Activities

Ø  Objective 1. To promote sustainable farming practices through awareness generation and demonstration.

Activity 1. Baseline Generation

Our teams have undertaken a baseline study to understand the existing agriculture scenario in the identified project sites. We have undertake secondary research along with conducting meetings with focus groups to document the following aspects of agriculture in Zambia:

Ø  Area under degradation

Ø  Identifying fertile area under agriculture

Ø  Major challenges that farmers face

Ø  Markets for selling their produce

Ø  Soil quality

Ø  Water quality

Ø  Landholding size

Ø  Farmers income

Ø  Major crops being cultivated

Ø  Assessment of economic importance of various crops

Ø  Existing agronomic practices being used by farmers

The baseline report has also helped us in identifying the 200 farmers for the initial phase of the project. During the survey we have also develop linkages with the government department and other organizations.

 

Activity 2. Promotion of Sustainable Good Agriculture Practices

Awareness generation has been an important activity towards promoting Sustainable Good Agriculture Practices amongst the farming communities in Mumbwa. Through a series of awareness camps and farmer meetings, we have sensitize the farmers the importance of sustainable farming practices and how these simple changes in farming can bring about a positive change in the overall environment, health and the local economy. The following strategy has been used for awareness in the identified villages.

House to house visits: Our field coordinators have conducted house to house visits to educate the farmers about the relevance of the project and also the importance of Good Agriculture Practices.

Village Meetings: During the village meeting, we have organized mass awareness sessions, which provide us an opportunity for the whole community to listen and participate in the events.

Display of informative posters and wall paintings

Organize cultural events to draw large crowds and then deliver key messages through songs, dance and shows.

Farmer fairs wherein successful farmers from nearby villages were exhibit their best practices and show how they were able to enhance their incomes through sustainable farming.

 

1. LOCATION VALIDATION AND PREPARATORY MEETINGS WITH VILLAGE LEADERSHIP

THE FCF PROJECT TEAM AND VILLAGE LEADERSHIP WILL HOST LOCATION VALIDATION AND PREPARATORY MEETINGS WITH, LEADERSHIPS AT COMMUNITIES’ POINTS OF ENTRY AND IDENTIFICATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF FACILITATORS FROM LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, LOCAL LEADERSHIP.

DELIVERABLES:

1) ENGAGEMENT REPORT

2) CONSOLIDATED WORK PLAN.

3) IDENTIFIED AND CONSOLIDATED LIST OF PROFESSIONALS TO TRAINED AND EQUIPED WITH SKILLS IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES

 

2. CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXPERIMENT UNIT AND MIN - ABATTOIR AND OPERATIONS; AND DEVELOPING A WATER SOURCE

RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION IN THE NAME OF BIOGAS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS AND GREEN YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS THE BASIS OF THIS PROJECT. A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE OF RAW MATERIAL IS VITAL. THE EXPERIMENT UNIT WILL ENSURE THE CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF FEED MATERIAL FOR THE BIOGAS PLANT. THE MINI ABATTOIR IS A MEANS OF VALUE ADDITION AND JOB CREATION. DECENT JOBS FORT THE YOUTH AND WOMEN WILL BE CREATED BY PROCESSING MEAT PRODUCTS. INCOME GENERATED FROM THE MINI ABATTOIR WILL CATER FOR THE LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THIS PROJECT AND SCALING OUT.

THE WATER SOURCE WILL BE DEVELOPED TO SUPPLY WATER TO THE BIOGAS PLANT, PIG PRODUCTION AND MINI ABATTOIR. TRAINING WILL BE CORE IN THIS ENDEAVOUR.

DELIVERABLES:

1) PIG PRODUCTION

2) MINI ABATTOIR

3) WATER RESOURCE

4) A TEAM OF TRAINED AND SKILLED YOUTHS AND WOMEN

5) SPREADING OF AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

6) ESTABLISHED HYDROPONIC FODDER PRODUCTION.

7) TRAINED AND SKILLED YOUTHS AND WOMEN IN PIG PRODUCTION AND AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

8) TRAINED AND SKILLED YOUTH AND WOMEN IN ABATTOIR OPERATIONS AND MEAT PRODUCT VALUE ADDITION.

 

3. INSTALLATION OF THE BIODIGESTER UNIT (BIOGAS PLANT) AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

THE LOCAL YOUTH AND WOMEN WILL BE TRAINED ON SIGHT IN BIOGAS DIGESTER CONSTRUCTION. THEY WILL CONSTRUCT THE UNIT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A TRAINED MASON. THIS BIOGAS WILL BE STATIONED AT HYSPER YOUTH ENTERPRISE PREMISES. HANDS ON TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED TO 10 YOUTHS AND WOMEN. THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WILL SELECT THE FIRST TRAINEES. FURTHER TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE UTILISATION OF THE BIOGAS BY-PRODUCTS (SLURRY AND SOLID)

> 01/07/2023 BIOGAS PLANT AND BIOGAS PRODUCTION

> 31/07/2023 ELECTRICITY GENERATION DIGESTATE.

NAPIER GRASS GROWING TECHNIQUES FOR ZERO GRAZING WILL BE GIVEN TO THE 10 SELECTED YOUTHS AND WOMEN. A LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN WILL BE HIRED TO INSTALL THE GAS STOVE, CONVERT THE PETROL GENERATOR TO BE BIOGAS POWERED AND INSTALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE SELECTED 10 YOUTHS AND WOMEN WILL BE TRAINED IN THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BIOGAS DIGESTER. THEY WILL ALSO BE TRAINED IN PROCESSING THE DIGESTATE INTO SOLID ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND HOW TO UTILIZE IT IN THE GROWING OF FIELD CROPS. TRAINING IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND START UP INCUBATION AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.

DELIVERABLES:

1) BIOGAS PLANT

2) BIOGAS FOR COOKING AND WATER HEATING

3) TRAINED AND EMPOWERED YOUTH AND WOMEN

4) NAPIER GAS PRODUCTION FIELD

5) SKILLED PERSONNEL IN HAY MAKING USING NAPIER

6) SKILLED PERSONNEL IN USING SLURRY FOR IRRIGATION

7) A COHORT THAT IS SELF-STARTER ENABLED – TO PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE.

8) ELECTRICITY FOR HOUSEHOLD USE AND AS A SMALL SCALE MANUFACTURING ENABLER.

9) SOLID DIGESTATE FERTILIZER PRODUCTION FROM BIOGAS

> 31/07/2023 MODEL UNIT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SOLID DIGESTATE ORGANIC FERTILIZER

 

3. Project plan forward

Objective 2: Establishment of a farmer training center to provide training on aspects of sustainable farming to 1000 identified farmers.

Activity 1. Development of training module: Our team will be developing a comprehensive training module for the farmers. The training manual will cover the various aspects of sustainable farming practices and will be made in easy to understand vernacular language. Also we will be using simple flow diagrams, info graphics and pictures to make the manuals attractive and also easy to understand.

Activity 2. Training on aspects of sustainable farming: Master trainers at the training centers will conduct farmers training to the identified farmers. Each batch of trainees will comprise 20-30 farmers and training will be for a period of 6 days. The training will comprise two components viz. theory class and practical learning. The theory classes will be carried out in classroom style teaching and will be carried out for the first three days, followed by practical field demonstrations. During the field demonstrations, the master trainers will provide practical hands-on training on various agronomic practices to be followed by the farmers to improve their field productivity.  The trained farmers will improve their knowledge on various  aspects of sustainable farming and gain skills on following GAP.

Ø  Understanding the history of the field so as to identify most fertile areas and then accordingly plant the most suitable plant for the area.

Ø  Preparing a clean and chemical free area before planting of crops.

Ø  Understanding of the local pears, diseases and weeds.

Ø  Soil preparation by avoiding soil erosion and compression.

Ø  Crop rotation and understanding of different crop cycles.

Ø  Adequate seed treatment, sowing and planting process.

Ø  Preparation of seedbeds, setting nurseries and greenhouses.

Ø   Water conservation and proper irrigation method suitable for the crop.

Ø  Reduce contamination of water tanks and irrigation channels.

Ø  Use of safe and natural fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides.

Ø  Periodical observation of the crops for early detection of problems.

Ø  Preparation of organic manures and ways to prepare it.

Ø  Suitable harvesting and post harvesting techniques for different crops.

Ø  Post harvesting techniques to ensure that quality of crop remains intact.

Ø  Marketing of crops

Activity 3. Formation of Farmers Club: Once the training of the identified farmers is complete, we will support them in formation of farmers club. All the members of the farmers club will meet and discuss their learning and will ensure that they pass on their knowledge to other farmers in their villages. The farmers club will be a community level initiative where the trained farmers will help other farmers to adopt sustainable good agriculture practices in their respective fields.

 

Objective 3. Establish farmer’s libraries and common facility areas to provide quality seeds, manure and other equipment to the farmers.

Activity 1: Establish farmer library:  We shall establish farmers libraries in all the project villages to provide information to the farmers. These farmers library will provide necessary information to all the farmers about the following aspects:

Weather Advisory

Market prices of products

Good Agricultural Practices for maximizing yield and income

 

Activity 2: Common Facility Areas: Along with establishing farmer libraries, we shall also establish common facility areas to support the farmers by providing them quality seeds, manure and equipment at subsidized rates. These common facility areas will help the farmers in the following:

Ø  Distribution of quality agriculture inputs

Ø  Support in storing the produce in a hygienic manner

Ø  Basic processing of some products- sun drying, pulping of fruits, extraction of oil etc.

Ø  Packaging of their products

Ø  Marketing of their products

 

Project Monitoring and Evaluation

The project will be evaluated by an independent third party organization. The third party named BDO, will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the project. They will carry out pre and post training surveys to assess the effectiveness of different training programs and also the behavioral changes in farmer’s attitude towards sustainable farming

 

4.Photos

Youths Feeding Animal Waste into the Bio digester

The Future Community Foundation Project Team

A School Near the Project Site 

Project Training Room 

 

Cowdun

 

Community Awareness