Farmer, Jabyson Chongwe
Jabyson Chongwe is a full-time farmer who owns a farm near the Lundazi River. During the rainy season, Jabyson produces rice, maize, sunflower, and groundnuts. In the garden, he has been growing vegetables like African eggplant, rape, tomato, and cabbage.
Over the years, Jabyson has been faced with problems that have made it very difficult for him to expand his farming business. Some of the problems include the high cost of farming inputs such as chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the lack of skills in modern farming practices, and the lack of improved irrigation mechanisms.
After being selected to participate in the AFAS project, Jabyson is hopeful that solutions to his problems will be found.
About Jabyson Chongwe
Jabyson Chongwe is married and has 4 children: 2 boys and 2 girls. Jabyson was unable to complete his education and only went up to grade 9, due to the lack of financial support.
Jabyson’s farm is located in Mphamba chiefdom of Lundazi District. Before he started full-time gardening, Jabyson worked as a general worker for 3 tobacco companies in Lundazi. He got the inspiration for gardening from his father, who was into full-time gardening all his life.
Donor
Jabyson Chongwe is supported by AFAS Foundation
Jacana’s role
- Business and financial training,
- A borehole and a solar pump,
- Agro support (partly sponsored agro supplies and inputs) and guidance,
- Bookkeeping guidance.
Provided training
You can also download the manuals for these trainings:
Guidance and monitoring
October 2024
During the visit, Jabyson was guided in organic mulching. With the harsh October heat, mulching helps to return soil moisture and reduce the frequency of watering.
In the picture, Jabyson is checking his mulched sausage eggplants in the demo plot.
September 2024
In September, Jabyson was visited for guidance; during the visit, Jabyson shared his experience of growing irrigated pumpkin and how he managed to have a healthy crop by using Bokashi organic fertiliser alone.
July 2024
Organic fertilisers offer multiple benefits to the farmer. Benefits include reduced cost of acquiring fertiliser, sustainably improved soil fertility, improved soil chemical and physical properties, and enhanced moisture retention. In July, Jabyson was visited and guided in making his first Bokashi fertiliser heap. During the guidance visit, Jabyson invited his friends who were interested in also learning.
April 2024
In April, Jacana organized farmer field visits. These visits allowed farmers to learn from each other; each of the AFAS farmers had an opportunity to showcase what they were implementing in their 50×50 demo plot. During the same visits, farmers graded each other on innovation, implementation, bookkeeping, and garden layout. The results from the grading would be used for determining the winner of the best farmer awards. In the picture, Jabyson is sharing his experiences of the demo plot with his colleagues.
March 2024
Jabyson took part in the sustainable organic agriculture and organic vegetable production training that took place in March. Jacana organised this 5-day training to equip the farmers with the skills in improved farming techniques that focus on environmentally friendly farming practices.
In the picture, Jabyson sowing seeds in a newly made permanent bed
January 2024
Crop diversification in agriculture creates greater resilience to the effects of climate change especially in situations of crop failure due to drought or pests and disease outbreaks. In a view to build resilience and ensure a steady flow in household income, Jabyson planted bananas in his demo plot. The banana alleys would be used for intercropping with different vegetables. In January, Jabyson was visited and guided in the pruning of banana sackers for improved yields.
November 2023
Jabyson attended a 3-day training workshop organised by Jacana. This workshop focused on teaching the rest of the AFAS project beneficiaries how to make 4 types of organic fertilisers, namely: bokashi, lab serum, Berkley, and liquid tea. The other topic covered was the making of organic pesticides using plant extracts.
October 2023
During the guidance visit, Jabyson was guided in measuring out his 50×50 meters demo plot.
September 2023
In September, Jabyson was visited by the Jacana field officer and guided in making a layout plan for the demo plot. A layout of the garden is important in the sense that it helps with crop rotation and improves access to the garden.
August 2023
In August Jacana through EMD drilled a borehole and installed a solar pump at Jayson’s garden.
March 2023
In March Jabyson Chongwe was among the AFAS project beneficiaries trained in business and financial planning. In the business training workshop, Jabyson learned how to make a business plan, keep records, and grow his business.
