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Hello ,
Sharing skills
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Starting in May 2025 Jacana has been working with Muzanga Foundation a NGO operating in Mfuwe, Eastern Zambia.
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Among other projects, Muzanga Foundation is implementing a project called ‘Green Fingers’, whose objective is to empower community members of Maulidi village with skills in agroecological farming that offers a more sustainable crop production method unlike conversional farming. 18 Community members from Maulidi were trained and guided by Bester Sakala, agroecological manager from Jacana. There is a demonstration plot and 18 smaller gardens for each participant to practice what they learned.
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‘Wow’-visit
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It all started in May 2025, when Muzanga and Jacana organized a ‘Wow’-visit.
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18 Community members (7 men and 11 women) visited two farmers, practicing agroecological farming in Chipata, trained by Jacana in the AFAS project.
The main objective of the ‘Wow’-visit was to showcase agroecological farming practices, by highlighting the successful implementation of these methods.
By the end of the visit, the Maulidi farmers expressed great enthusiasm for the ‘Green Fingers’ project.
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Organic fertilizer training
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The participants were trained in making and application of five different types of organic fertilizers: Bokashi, Berkeley compost, Tea compost, Fermented cow manure and Lab serum (all using locally available materials).
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Vegetable nursery and land preparation training
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After the organic fertilizer was ready the project beneficiaries were trained in sustainable land preparation, establishment and management of vegetable nursery. They all prepared a nursery for the vegetables and prepared their “own” portion of land.
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Organic garden layout and transplanting
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Each member in the group was allocated an experimental plot, next to the group’s main demo plot. On these individual plots farmers practically implement what they learned from the trainings. Among the subjects taught is how to plan their vegetable production in different growth stages, to ensure a constant supply.
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Natural pest and disease management
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In this workshop farmers were trained in natural pest and disease management, using an integrated approach, not only focusing on pest control but also pest and disease prevention methods.
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First harvest from the demo plot
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By end of August 2025, Maulidi farmers had their first organic vegetable harvest from the demonstration garden. Muzanga Foundation helped the group to secure a market within the Mfuwe community.
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Training and guidance from Jacana
Jacana is very proud of the Maulidi farmers and the Muzanga team and wishes them great succes.
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If you think after reading this success story, "I also have a project in a developing country and would like some guidance in agroecological training or any other topic at https://jacana.help/resources." then contact Jacana by simply responding to this newsletter.
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