Last summer, thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, a total of 153 individuals in Malawi, including 71 women, 31 men, 25 elders, 15 girls, and 11 boys, were trained in a type of conservation agriculture known as Farming God’s Way (FGW).
“In this project we train both male and female of different ages, abilities, and the most interested individuals who wish to do farming following the FGW principles,” explained Alex Steven Bango, chairperson of our in-country partner, the Faithful Heart Foundation (FHF).
The purpose, says Alex, is “imparting knowledge from the Bible in farming with the heart of improving their livelihoods and living standards for a better future,” as well as equipping trainees with the necessary tools, including drip kits and buckets for irrigation, sprayers, and rakes.
Seeds distributed to the beneficiaries include okra, tomato, mustard, eggplant, maize, and others.
The program also “helps to train them how to conserve and restore soil fertility following climatic change challenges,” he added.
“The primary objective of the program is training local farmers to become familiar with FGW methodology with the aim of improving the living standards of individuals at the family, community, and national levels, and to reduce dependency on handouts, while increasing poverty eradication and hunger reduction.”
Also in his grant proposal, Alex noted that he regularly receives requests from villagers, garden clubs to host meetings with stakeholders who show a desire to learn farming utilizing FGW methods, “and being part of it.”
Following the training, Alex reported that the trainees who were selected on the basis of their vulnerability and expressed interest in learning and following FGW practices are today utilizing their new knowledge and tools they received through the four-week program.
Alex commented that many village leaders follow FGW practices in many areas, which illustrates their own personal interest in its method, and in the communities where the trainings have taken place, village leaders “received the project positively, and encouraged people to be trained in FGW in their respective areas.”
And ultimately, he notes the impact their training has made in the participants’ lives, telling us:
“They gained knowledge on how to manage in order to have larger yields and increased profits.”
Among them was a boy who left school when he was in standard 4 (fourth grade), who, following the training, is using the knowledge he gained to grow crops and sell his surplus vegetables at local markets.
“The money he earns he uses to buy his daily needs,” reported Alex.
To the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, Alex wants to ensure they know that “the project is positive and productive because it’s the key of loosening up the yoke of poverty,” and there are still a lot of needy, interested individuals who need to be served through the trainings.
“All this is done because of your support, which is our very huge blessing.”
