tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38045642192065832592024-02-06T18:32:44.459-08:00Africa Windmill ProjectEnd Hunger Grow FoodKimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695022470758937165noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-85639138986090208032018-10-15T17:40:00.000-07:002019-05-02T06:00:07.251-07:00Ending Hunger with Overflowing Crop Carts…The Symon Phiri Story <div style="text-align: left;">
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<img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="720" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E5sYUTpXYSveMilCBr_e8aLyQJrlXjjBQSPqN0tlNM-_k-DcKn6iaYLS_ewwDR_5by0eRvTUlJWF2Ufrzgjm4MWe1ymlCa7AHO-TvQr-JVPhLm6pdjGBalH-FC37O0kzOekiDdcHG6Jb/s200/Symon1.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: justify;">Tobacco prices on auction floors devastated the lives of farmers in an area called Kamwena. The group village headman, Symon Phiri,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: justify;">had successfully grown tobacco throughout the previous decade, but now needed a new way to grow food for his family. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEPyDdMEQTXE_jQ9GhbeBMjXFm9_EZ79S8ZpvIovVGls0DnEM6WjXTl0VhhPOCvPLHVtuo8plGBCJ39IbJN8pmsHXDUDAchK4k5a9s1gNdc0aX_E252VMWOKu5DSGcrM6FkljgUk9JwAt/s1600/Symon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="736" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEPyDdMEQTXE_jQ9GhbeBMjXFm9_EZ79S8ZpvIovVGls0DnEM6WjXTl0VhhPOCvPLHVtuo8plGBCJ39IbJN8pmsHXDUDAchK4k5a9s1gNdc0aX_E252VMWOKu5DSGcrM6FkljgUk9JwAt/s200/Symon2.jpg" width="200" /></a>In his desperation for survival, Symon made a significant shift, leaving the crop he knew best and joining the irrigation club with Africa Windmill Project. After completing the necessary training, he planted five kilograms of maize seed in his garden. Little did Symon know what this small amount of seed combined with good crop management would do.</div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: justify;">
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<img border="0" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6bebea42-0754-4e50-90a2-09751688616b" /><img border="0" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/f4e3e8ef-16ef-4d93-b26e-dbe7da869bf0" />To his amazement, Symon’s entire maize crop sold in three short days! The profits enabled him to purchase more fertilizer, a cow, repair an old motorcycle and have money left to spare. During the fall, an armyworm outbreak posed a serious threat, yet unlike many other farmers, Symon had the money required to purchase pesticides.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31MlHtPwtqXSZlUMnVPSbdI352jFV5t2xX6_19BNoXEQFTXyb4oRWAf6TgldBkE4j_2e1yo9XJk0fWJ_-wLEQRpJ1xMZqW9KDtW3uuAdtbjrfm-70orVnDF5T1q0y8faxseb1NjEKNpT6/s1600/Symon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="695" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31MlHtPwtqXSZlUMnVPSbdI352jFV5t2xX6_19BNoXEQFTXyb4oRWAf6TgldBkE4j_2e1yo9XJk0fWJ_-wLEQRpJ1xMZqW9KDtW3uuAdtbjrfm-70orVnDF5T1q0y8faxseb1NjEKNpT6/s200/Symon3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevB60k7gLNKsgXC8CD3NtxjyRXbFBX2wAEBGkRm6NwLFD2a0T8pk4koMla4vSKTZgK6IUasI2mAZaBtiuw15oWLpeODxzjE-lElOnTqJfNnfdgXSIsgr9HdskUPilMR7c5ouSN0Qk55El/s1600/Symon6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="704" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevB60k7gLNKsgXC8CD3NtxjyRXbFBX2wAEBGkRm6NwLFD2a0T8pk4koMla4vSKTZgK6IUasI2mAZaBtiuw15oWLpeODxzjE-lElOnTqJfNnfdgXSIsgr9HdskUPilMR7c5ouSN0Qk55El/s200/Symon6.jpg" width="200" /></a>Symon’s second harvest produced thirty-one ox-carts full of maize! Needless to say, Symon was “sold” on the benefits of growing food with irrigation learned through Africa Windmill Project. Symon believes that through irrigation farming, Malawians can grow enough food to win the battle against hunger and poverty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2VlJ-DazE6wiscI9GD90heE04VRqzdmZiEYeayZAPbtbbHMXTEi8CN2cVQwJRbvxlp_DNqpEk_A_wxNR1AuUnmrAfctxbIqt6-Jb6cHvvu2WNbdR2rC25QK-XELgfpodeL6HH9NTqF-U/s1600/Symon4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="704" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2VlJ-DazE6wiscI9GD90heE04VRqzdmZiEYeayZAPbtbbHMXTEi8CN2cVQwJRbvxlp_DNqpEk_A_wxNR1AuUnmrAfctxbIqt6-Jb6cHvvu2WNbdR2rC25QK-XELgfpodeL6HH9NTqF-U/s200/Symon4.jpg" width="200" /></a>As a village chief, Symon models a strong work ethic and continually learning how to increase the effectiveness of his farm. He is planning to double the maize seed and plant additional vegetables this year. Symon’s example and encouragement to other farmers is spreading throughout his village and their future is looking brighter as their ox-carts get fuller.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.africawindmill.org/" target="_blank">You make a difference! $200 covers the cost to provides tools and trainings to farmers just like Symon. New Agriculture Clubs are starting and Farmers are in need of funding support! Donate today!</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDRh-HI6K3kCciC_lG2pDifY2gZzGBF8kTC5Ty_c3VUfHx88zEStCp2lYnlLXaL_0jslSOimiS1Iop0tJmAkQEz5nlJRVkfUsYjNaCe8OzkFF_kPFYAYKDVqzTbsaLaNwZH86vdqIvGRx/s1600/Symon5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="700" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDRh-HI6K3kCciC_lG2pDifY2gZzGBF8kTC5Ty_c3VUfHx88zEStCp2lYnlLXaL_0jslSOimiS1Iop0tJmAkQEz5nlJRVkfUsYjNaCe8OzkFF_kPFYAYKDVqzTbsaLaNwZH86vdqIvGRx/s200/Symon5.jpg" width="200" /></a>Thank you to Alex Chipeta, Africa Windmill Project Staff for the contents and photos! And to Amie Siefert, Africa Windmill Project Volunteer for editing!!<br />
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YOU + TOOLS & TRAINING = FOOD SECURITY<br />
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<a href="http://www.africawindmill.org/">www.africawindmill.org</a><br />
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695022470758937165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-57612978243133206722018-04-19T09:24:00.000-07:002018-04-19T09:24:02.861-07:00Gideon Lungu: Working Toward a GoalEvery farmer we work with begins by assessing their basic household food needs. This assessment works more or less the same for everyone: add up number of people and multiply by recommended consumption. The trick to making this an effective tool in the fight against hunger is to teach and empower the farmers to do this assessment themselves - and when no one is around to remind them.<div>
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In practice, the Food Security Self Assessment catches on rather easily and becomes second nature once the farmers realize how useful it is for setting goals. And of course, how useful goals are in achieving success.</div>
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After self assessment and goal setting, the farmers begin to ramp up the productivity and conservation strategies that we teach them. Not every strategy is new to the farmers. Many farmers will adapt their existing methods to meet their goals as well. </div>
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As an example, we teach farmers about composting. Some farmers have never tried it before, but most have practiced composting in some form or another. The method is well understood, but the impact is often not quantified and targeted at predefined objectives.</div>
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Irrigation is the same way. The basics are understood by most farmers, but irrigation is not applied in an integrated, systematic way to an overall plan that is leading the farmer toward food security.</div>
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Gideon Lungu, from Chigonthi irrigation project, has a garden that receives runoff from fields above. This garden has always been a place for Gideon to irrigate vegetables, but it never provided a significant amount of food until he laid out a plan toward a goal based on his Self Assessment.</div>
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Now this garden is a stopgap between rainy season and dry season. By using the residual moisture provided by the runoff, Gideon can grow maize in the entire garden several months into the dry season. The method is very useful when the rain has been unevenly distributed throughout the season. As yields are effected by erratic rainfall in the upper fields, Gideon's garden still receives a steady runoff. As the runoff dries up, Gideon begins drawing water from shallow wells.</div>
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Techniques like Gideon's runoff garden provide a smoothing effect to spikes in food supply that are caused by unpredictable shocks like erratic rains, pests, and illnesses in the farmer's family. Farmers who use such techniques are not as worried about any one particular crop; their risks are spread out over multiple seasons, and they can specifically mitigate the major risks to any particular season by using the right strategies in subsequent seasons.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-19451806756609900952018-04-17T02:54:00.002-07:002018-04-17T07:35:33.797-07:00Recognizing Outstanding Farmers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOfV1vvQhNm4GnGh8dypBNDrs-X8OcLSxdFn9yApEqOaqC2_loPzZjmeVikqjOpaHNRHFUu9zqOqrjHUTkOqx0ZGG25T13sYT2PKKT5hL54jEMGgDMzQSw4QZRAl5HZSiC8SJqBd76Ixt/s1600/IMG_20180410_121513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOfV1vvQhNm4GnGh8dypBNDrs-X8OcLSxdFn9yApEqOaqC2_loPzZjmeVikqjOpaHNRHFUu9zqOqrjHUTkOqx0ZGG25T13sYT2PKKT5hL54jEMGgDMzQSw4QZRAl5HZSiC8SJqBd76Ixt/s400/IMG_20180410_121513.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As the rainy season is winding down, preparation for irrigation is ramping up. But as we have noted in years past, many farmers don't wait for the end of one season to start in on the next. They farm year-round. This is exactly the result we are looking for! This month we are recognizing two outstanding families for their leadership in planting early and often.</div>
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Zude and his family are busily harvesting their tobacco (which is the first rainy season crop to be harvested so that it can dry in the shade). But Zude knows that the tobacco market will not meet his family's needs for much longer. He has decided to plant a large irrigated garden - big enough to feed everyone in the house and fund some home repair, medical, and health needs. He has shown good leadership, not just by planting early, but by also planting beans between his rows of maize. This will ensure a better balance of protein in the diet, and it increases watering efficiency for the beans when the maize is tall enough to provide shade.</div>
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Another great leader this year is the Toyoyo family. They are new to irrigation, but have impressed their fellow farmers with their hard work and discipline. The family is often the first to the gardens in the morning and last to leave. They know that time spent working on their crops is not wasted.<br />
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By spending more time in the garden, they are able to do more than just weeding and watering. They reduce pests by clearing brush from the hedges, and they carefully control diseases by removing any signs of infection from the field before it spreads. This sav<span style="text-align: center;">es them money on pest and disease control chemicals - making for a healthier crop overall.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">They have also planted onions next to their maize garden. Onions are an important ingredient in most local stews and vegetable dishes. Demand is always high, but supply dips during the early winter, exactly when the Toyoyo's crop will be ready for sale. Good planning!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWw0DnZqD2Jb-eLG7eqhqC3NQghyphenhyphengmb3AQcF-6wvdEIM499i_BnfmbrD2d-JyAgq1q1vaNlKnxuO9P8WVch5nh2XHZzsK2BJ2jV8KCYzp0_xdCMwLWg125HaFT1g8y2f-0f5iXWMHdWAT/s1600/IMG_20180410_114251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWw0DnZqD2Jb-eLG7eqhqC3NQghyphenhyphengmb3AQcF-6wvdEIM499i_BnfmbrD2d-JyAgq1q1vaNlKnxuO9P8WVch5nh2XHZzsK2BJ2jV8KCYzp0_xdCMwLWg125HaFT1g8y2f-0f5iXWMHdWAT/s400/IMG_20180410_114251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-43527889393668177282018-02-21T00:07:00.002-08:002018-02-21T00:13:34.432-08:00The Role of Lead Farmers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJUfVrCKalDF8wzQN9Xxx5vT8vy9eZtzOG4AUxYs4RkFhdyAaIBxNJK4kRIUkt1iymvwGTEZOnT51hANzN2VGdviur7LFIvPFxJLfPmAUaQ9skWXIqbmLIjH27Tq7YRMmzHwNlzNzlqdv/s1600/DSCF4989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>
Professor Banda, one of AWP's field coordinators, spends most his time out on the farms, teaching farmers how to grow more food more efficiently. But even if he could do this 365 days a year for 10 years, he alone could barely scratch the surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe-mprOLKa9Cr7G_8YvxU0co6zGCVkkzh19BJzuHjPGc6ABSZCz5VGGJQS-OtyaodmGxOixbTntMX_TwNrzZXYha2YCaLtX0EkGmMF3ZFwkDZGU3SA7dkw6UCySFleFDL1-1J27gQenQG/s1600/IMG_20171010_094925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe-mprOLKa9Cr7G_8YvxU0co6zGCVkkzh19BJzuHjPGc6ABSZCz5VGGJQS-OtyaodmGxOixbTntMX_TwNrzZXYha2YCaLtX0EkGmMF3ZFwkDZGU3SA7dkw6UCySFleFDL1-1J27gQenQG/s400/IMG_20171010_094925.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor meets with Lead Farmers in their tomato garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV88kkNs0Kiny1WITWCHkqg5mSN9NWZ-YVwFewVe8enY8arZuoVyHMJOYuBcq5eeenS8yMFQhbBeWM2rnCRR6jXEvLBruHcMiVt6CXUm7FfCZTHGK7ol_C1adlX-PKhtTKYzwJaSqvHv_/s1600/IMG_20171010_095244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV88kkNs0Kiny1WITWCHkqg5mSN9NWZ-YVwFewVe8enY8arZuoVyHMJOYuBcq5eeenS8yMFQhbBeWM2rnCRR6jXEvLBruHcMiVt6CXUm7FfCZTHGK7ol_C1adlX-PKhtTKYzwJaSqvHv_/s400/IMG_20171010_095244.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looks good! But there are some improvements that could be made.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7B57cNMuD-ZJFZal1Uv8e97jKE0qsTTHnvrA2GmLQ9FnnlGQX4Dl4kGjiG1tZUEdVDkXGNRH_dPZEI3pvvdE-qc5Sfpy37rp-QvCSK-rtsaYz2b3OOAKrUZNr1KJYKurhktLwmFcF4xr/s1600/IMG_20171010_095957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7B57cNMuD-ZJFZal1Uv8e97jKE0qsTTHnvrA2GmLQ9FnnlGQX4Dl4kGjiG1tZUEdVDkXGNRH_dPZEI3pvvdE-qc5Sfpy37rp-QvCSK-rtsaYz2b3OOAKrUZNr1KJYKurhktLwmFcF4xr/s400/IMG_20171010_095957.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead Farmers look for advice on how to use their available water supply to increase tomato acreage</td></tr>
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The best way for Professor to motivate agricultural process changes on a large scale - on the order of 10,000 households per year - is to engage with lead farmers. Lead farmers possess skills that allow them to be successful early adopters of change. They teach in formal and informal interactions with other farmers in their communities, and their work is held up as an example for others to follow. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFL91UbjWmeaj9QPnNdgm_ZPmeo_FBLnXC_8K_dNC6zSMjC0VIxa6ZC-o1G4QDMxS30dmaqRw5k7tF18AcW8pw-MqWPi6_zA5z6sL76FwGqkJKolQzGYX9ZniChbfjuXBm1tikZ6KqikI/s1600/DSCF5026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFL91UbjWmeaj9QPnNdgm_ZPmeo_FBLnXC_8K_dNC6zSMjC0VIxa6ZC-o1G4QDMxS30dmaqRw5k7tF18AcW8pw-MqWPi6_zA5z6sL76FwGqkJKolQzGYX9ZniChbfjuXBm1tikZ6KqikI/s400/DSCF5026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead Farmer at Ngwangwa shares his ideas and techniques with farmers from nearby villages</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJUfVrCKalDF8wzQN9Xxx5vT8vy9eZtzOG4AUxYs4RkFhdyAaIBxNJK4kRIUkt1iymvwGTEZOnT51hANzN2VGdviur7LFIvPFxJLfPmAUaQ9skWXIqbmLIjH27Tq7YRMmzHwNlzNzlqdv/s1600/DSCF4989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJUfVrCKalDF8wzQN9Xxx5vT8vy9eZtzOG4AUxYs4RkFhdyAaIBxNJK4kRIUkt1iymvwGTEZOnT51hANzN2VGdviur7LFIvPFxJLfPmAUaQ9skWXIqbmLIjH27Tq7YRMmzHwNlzNzlqdv/s400/DSCF4989.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Passing through the gardens, farmers meet, greet, and discuss the work.</td></tr>
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During the first year or two, while AWP is setting foundations for lead farmers, field coordinators like Professor are busy training Lead Farmers. Later, those lead farmers grow the base of farmers who have adopted improved irrigation and agricultural methods.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxxYGVvsVE7plcyGbpw7qAr7HmrNj7MM3INb_-69mmVDn_igRsFr6rZbM45o0oAZY8O-YfAfdBJZKggXPZzNTRzSSOZI45lGASgBCQ1hnTucsX4iveAePnNr0RtMZCsbizhHUcDn0mR_m/s1600/DSCF4997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxxYGVvsVE7plcyGbpw7qAr7HmrNj7MM3INb_-69mmVDn_igRsFr6rZbM45o0oAZY8O-YfAfdBJZKggXPZzNTRzSSOZI45lGASgBCQ1hnTucsX4iveAePnNr0RtMZCsbizhHUcDn0mR_m/s400/DSCF4997.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting farmers share and ask questions, taking lessons and inspiration back with them.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-50700896351536018642018-02-07T05:06:00.000-08:002018-02-07T05:06:11.154-08:00Lead Farmer Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To ensure the sustainability and growth of food secure communities, AWP provides higher-level training to agriculture extension officers and lead farmers. The extension officers oversee the implementation of farmer education in the area. We keep them up to date on the tools and information we are providing farmers in the field, and we teach more background that will help them identify and solve challenges before they become major issues in the community.<br />
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We also work with lead farmers who are skilled farmers representing the various communities in which we work. The lead farmers role is to provide a connection between outside stakeholders and the communities, and to lead other farmers in the adoption of improved farming methods.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjMmtN6TWlGA4zQWaiSEWZ-ixkc7CAsiR8JiFaVlAwzmPAHsEtjIus1GN1IqAHWbKBLyn4ucxJGq6MAvnd1oYI-HFcGrpzg_xcFf6uEKxVKqxKgaxDz9YJ2OLtYdTqrZ2COeswchpkkdy/s1600/DSCF2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjMmtN6TWlGA4zQWaiSEWZ-ixkc7CAsiR8JiFaVlAwzmPAHsEtjIus1GN1IqAHWbKBLyn4ucxJGq6MAvnd1oYI-HFcGrpzg_xcFf6uEKxVKqxKgaxDz9YJ2OLtYdTqrZ2COeswchpkkdy/s320/DSCF2510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPsmcFii01rG_t39v4Nx8OlJ4RivHVSwwh4sCvX-PR37_2IHbX72xHZ-4sxIx7YJ7VLn3fPsZPB6Jvh1aHihz3EnHddbXVyLu88GRu4CCe9_orQfYklireTTymZWCGgaYxsHH9EwUlmRB/s1600/DSCF2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPsmcFii01rG_t39v4Nx8OlJ4RivHVSwwh4sCvX-PR37_2IHbX72xHZ-4sxIx7YJ7VLn3fPsZPB6Jvh1aHihz3EnHddbXVyLu88GRu4CCe9_orQfYklireTTymZWCGgaYxsHH9EwUlmRB/s320/DSCF2512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWGl-gawMX2BVqf9lHb-vIADLJ36moF9nMMS8_H7ofKY_6QuUnvOe8njj_GxrAcu5u1i7uPD1Hwf-P3rVhP1p-5Ge9NrQVEUFr6sq4fFTtu7NQB-7H48c-7UrUAz4uoKGpQ3_Ce0o76-D/s1600/DSCF2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWGl-gawMX2BVqf9lHb-vIADLJ36moF9nMMS8_H7ofKY_6QuUnvOe8njj_GxrAcu5u1i7uPD1Hwf-P3rVhP1p-5Ge9NrQVEUFr6sq4fFTtu7NQB-7H48c-7UrUAz4uoKGpQ3_Ce0o76-D/s320/DSCF2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KUHKQebr9OM1fF2-fvXqmQ0DPM5jpNlxtrbpiH7d88vpW3mGbPc5XuEPg8D-zxszHqiC9dInE-rRtv7FBAQN9SB_8NwGCqq9ECwR8YB3hxYx9NJQofhAG79QRqmNgI3Y7n_wD6YoNMoK/s1600/DSCF2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KUHKQebr9OM1fF2-fvXqmQ0DPM5jpNlxtrbpiH7d88vpW3mGbPc5XuEPg8D-zxszHqiC9dInE-rRtv7FBAQN9SB_8NwGCqq9ECwR8YB3hxYx9NJQofhAG79QRqmNgI3Y7n_wD6YoNMoK/s320/DSCF2540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh137zQ6praIjTJK7yAZ5q2I_5rlEwGTcmCJUPSCz12U_e7fgnIODh0aUf5XHDJv5Jz4vATatcniHFkBT_sZWYPilulsM0AOL6QJB958WD317AvINrhD6iSIXhTx8gDXL9tVU6wKAJYHO2S/s1600/DSCF2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh137zQ6praIjTJK7yAZ5q2I_5rlEwGTcmCJUPSCz12U_e7fgnIODh0aUf5XHDJv5Jz4vATatcniHFkBT_sZWYPilulsM0AOL6QJB958WD317AvINrhD6iSIXhTx8gDXL9tVU6wKAJYHO2S/s320/DSCF2574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-77200669558713690562018-02-06T04:51:00.000-08:002018-02-06T04:51:04.042-08:00Food Security Self-Assessment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the most powerful tools that we introduce to farmers is the Food Security Self-Assessment. This is a one-page worksheet that will help a farmers determine if they are food secure, and how much deficit or surplus food they will encounter. We teach the concepts behind the worksheet, most of which are intuitively understood, like the more mouths to feed, the more food you need. We add to the intuitive understanding by introducing ways to estimate food needs and productions and how to balance land and capital allocation with their needs.</div>
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The results of using this tool are: </div>
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1) Individuals and families know with high confidence whether they have a surplus or deficit</div>
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2) Families with deficit know the date when they will run out of food at normal consumption rates</div>
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3) Farmers know how to use this information to plan their farms to mitigate and prevent food deficits.</div>
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In 2017, more than 1,000 households learned to use this tool. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-86326926477355268372018-02-05T04:36:00.000-08:002018-02-05T04:36:00.907-08:00Food Security Opens Door to Further Livelihood Development<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our goal for the families we teach is for them to have enough food for today, tomorrow, and every day in the future. That's what we mean by "food security". But we know from the families in the program that their needs don't end with having enough food. Many of the families put almost all of their resources into producing food that there is nothing left for them to put into health, education, or improving other aspects of their lives.<br />
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When a family becomes food secure the opportunity arises for them to invest in their futures. Most of the farmers in our program put the immediate benefits of having extra food toward developing a long term, stable livelihood. We see four categories of investments: 1) reinvesting into irrigation; 2) purchasing livestock; 3) education for family members; 4) other small businesses.<br />
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Here are some photos of farmers that trained with AWP last year and how they put new resources toward their futures. Two purchased bicycles that they will use as taxis to earn a small daily income. One purchased a solar panel that powers a barbershop - complete with shaver and music.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-12509469563388910872017-11-03T07:28:00.001-07:002017-11-03T07:28:30.360-07:00Chigonthi Irrigation Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chigonthi Irrigation Project was a new project for us in 2017. The Chigonthi area comprises about 25,000 households in the rural north west of Lilongwe district. Our objective was to decease the risk of hunger and malnutrition in 11 communities by training farmers in 8 food security strategies.<br />
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In total, 384 households were trained. Every community has a demonstration garden, where they are practicing crop management, irrigation, organic composting, pest control, and mulching. Budgeting, planning, balanced diet, and crop storage are practiced at home.</div>
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In pictures: community and individual gardens, some have even harvested and planted again under irrigation. These crops will be met with rainfall in November and December, easing the irrigation challenge and providing a food crop late in the year when most other families are running out of food.<br />
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Farmers dig shallow wells by hand. It's a muddy job. The well in the picture below is being deepened to extend the irrigation season.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-48876059388600983562017-09-09T07:00:00.000-07:002017-09-11T01:17:36.792-07:00The Continuous Harvest<meta property="og:image" content="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEics3kUVOMa5OVIPvI0de4MJJToZ7tTDXUFarcslsYw4HxtxFpINkwOIqbMZziaK7QJyxLDo4jHz5V0W8SYumtAulHxbIBCPg5sJjLr9SEyAMix6PrKEbOVoQ2gif10AQEPArRgoPcv6oV-/s1600/DSCF6867.JPG" />
NGWANGWA IRRIGATION PROJECT<br />
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Farmers know that one growing season, dependent on rainfall alone, is not enough to ensure they will have plenty of food to eat and income to spare. The adopted solution is irrigation to bring in a second growing season. But how about a third growing season? Sounds good and many at Ngwangwa are already at three seasons per year.<br />
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But some farmers are going a step further: staggered planting. In this method, farmers will divide their plot into as many as 12 sections - 1 for each month - and plant at equal intervals so that there is always a crop to plant, a crop to manage, and a crop to harvest. This works best for vegetables that have a short shelf life and a long harvesting period. With leafy greens like mustard and rape, farmers who stagger their crops can have a continuous harvest all year long.</div>
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One farmer using this method grows vegetables in intervals of 3-4 weeks. He has been selling vegetables worth $30 per week for the past 3 months, while having plenty of greens on his family's plates too. Shortening the intervals between planting is one of the strategies AWP looks for to determine the sustainability of the farms.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-34610804744083438752017-09-08T02:27:00.000-07:002017-09-08T02:27:39.532-07:00Public Policy Makers Visit Ngwangwa Irrigation Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Thursday, Hon. Dr. Jessie Kabwila, MP, toured the Ngwangwa Irrigation Project with two Ugandan lawmakers and members of the National Commission for Science and Technology in an effort to gain understanding of how to fight poverty through irrigation. The AWP staff shared our experiences and advised the parliamentarians on policies that would be beneficial to rural farmers who comprise 85% of the population of Malawi.<br />
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The visiting Ugandan MPs commended AWP and the local government extension workers for collaborating to help the communities. Hon. Kabwila, who is the chairman of the Women's Caucus, believed the success of the project is a result of the inclusion of a majority of women farmers, many of them widows and single mothers.<br />
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AWP implored parliament to enact policies that would promote security and investment in rural areas. Farmers addressed the delegation with their concerns, noting the challenge of raising capital to invest in their farms.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-8131296241036495392016-06-02T02:20:00.000-07:002016-06-02T02:20:04.395-07:00A Bunch of UpdatesFarmers finish harvesting their rainy season crops in late May or early June. Irrigation typically ramps up as the farmers' time becomes more available. We have several projects that are in full swing now.<br />
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<b>Ngwangwa Irrigation Project</b><br />
Farmers have planted maize to practice new irrigation and crop husbandry skills. This project will provide supplemental food and income to over 800 families.<br />
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Farmers who completed the training program last year are now employing the skills and strategies learnt. Farmers who demonstrate high potential are encouraged to join clubs and form an irrigation association. The base of the club is a new demonstration site at Ngwangwa. Here we are advising them on water tank construction.<br />
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<b>Mziza Food Security Project</b><br />
Food security at Mziza has been strengthened by AWP through irrigation, management training and a micro-loan facility. Production is now robust and resilient. This year farmers have harvested over 35 bags per acre, a yield worth $525 on an investment of just $100. Other farmers in Lilongwe District (such as at Ngwangwa) have yielded much less due to erratic rainfall.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-40004916448896205832016-04-20T00:27:00.001-07:002016-04-20T00:27:25.588-07:003.5 Acres of Grain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Progress is being made at our training sites in Lilongwe. These farmers have planted 3.5 acres of maize. which will yield approximately 8,000 lbs of grain. This will meet the food requirement of their families long enough to fend off hunger during the leanest months later this year.</div>
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Two weeks ago in the same garden:<br />
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Not far away, another irrigation club is preparing to construct a water tank that will help them irrigate more land with less time and effort. The tank will hold over 20,000 liters, or 5,400 gallons.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-65452299648933020562016-04-12T00:36:00.000-07:002016-04-12T00:36:14.262-07:00Early Harvesting for Irrigation Farmers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <a href="http://africawindmill.blogspot.com/2016/02/irrigating-in-rain.html" target="_blank">early planting method</a> is paying off. We harvested approximately 1,500 lbs of grain in late March through early April, just from our demonstration garden. Other farmers who used the method are busy harvesting. For them, the harvesting season will stretch from March through June. Then the first irrigated crops after the rains will be ready in June or July. As we close the gaps in food production, year-round harvesting is becoming a reality.<br />
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These techniques are only available to irrigation farmers. Others rely exclusively on rainfall to water their crops, which is a vulnerable method of farming. That's why creating inexpensive irrigation pumps, and training farmers to use them, is so important. There really needs to be nonstop harvesting to not just produce sufficient amounts of food, but also to mitigate any emergencies that affect yields.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-41394969769338987832016-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:002016-04-04T08:00:05.747-07:00Planting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In partnership with the Ngwangwa Agriculture Extension office, AWP is training 1,000 farmers how to grow enough food throughout the year. The farmers are now planting maize to put their skills to use.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">We teach them how to layout their gardens using string to get a straight and even grid. This ensures that each plant has the right amount of space to grow. They plant using sticks to measure the distance between seeds and the depth. </span><span style="text-align: center;">They apply manure and fertilizer before planting to give their crops the best start possible. </span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-19161673291126299972016-02-26T06:23:00.001-08:002016-02-26T06:23:48.638-08:00Partnering with Local Development <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Many development projects fail because the target communities do not adopt them. Often this can be averted by simple, inexpensive consultations with the community members and the leadership. We have to consider the local customs, environment, and resources, as well as the interests and goals of the people. </div>
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Last week we began consulting with the Ngabu Area Development Committee (ADC), which is a group of local residents who advice the chiefs and communities on development issues. The ADC helped us to identify groups of farmers who could participate in focus group discussions. The overall purpose of the engagement is for us to develop a clear idea of the problems facing their community, and then to create a possible solution together with them.<br />
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When we asked the ADC what farmers worry about when they first wake up in the morning, the response was a clear "FOOD!". They believe that climate change is the cause of the current food shortage, siting droughts and floods that destroyed crops last year. This year is not looking much better, with most of the area in drought conditions.<br />
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We will continue working with the community to develop a way for them to have food throughout the year. The largest river in Malawi is just a few kilometers from where the meeting took place. There must be a way to get that water to the crops so that people will always have food.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-31630018113609904902016-02-02T23:56:00.005-08:002016-02-02T23:56:53.899-08:00Our Resilience Innovation ChallengeIn December 2015, AWP was awarded a grant by the Resilient Africa Network (<a href="http://www.ranlab.org/">www.ranlab.org</a>) to develop a prototype for irrigation in Chikwawa District of Malawi. Chikwawa is in the Southern Region of Malawi, along the Shire River Valley. The Shire River is the outlet of Lake Malawi that flows into the Zambezi River and out to the Indian Ocean through Mozambique.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River and pump house in Chikwawa</td></tr>
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Chikwawa is an environmentally vulnerable district. Flood and droughts that periodically affect the country tend to have their biggest impact in Chikwawa. Heavy rain upstream does not benefit crops in the ground at Chikwawa, but can still result in floods that wipe out entire villages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOf_h_DSfmgnnDQaLKJY_ngCIOUiNBZbM5m2tHHdKSLFb-fPPQ9DRFx89YhHYc7tH-d75pSGIjGvFxKRnyGqbec_D821m-YnvHevavvLmfdETSm3lSzEiy8E9Z4KpjipqHRQHwuql3PdG/s1600/DSC01390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOf_h_DSfmgnnDQaLKJY_ngCIOUiNBZbM5m2tHHdKSLFb-fPPQ9DRFx89YhHYc7tH-d75pSGIjGvFxKRnyGqbec_D821m-YnvHevavvLmfdETSm3lSzEiy8E9Z4KpjipqHRQHwuql3PdG/s400/DSC01390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defunct Irrigation - many irrigation sites in Chikwawa have gone out of use. Why and how do we prevent that?</td></tr>
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AWP will be working with two traditional authorities (i.e. chiefdoms the size of small counties) to design new irrigation methods and technologies that are appropriate for the district. While we have our ideas, we are inviting the local communities to provide insight into the design they think will best serve them. For the next six months, we will be developing the prototype, and eventually presenting the design to the community for their feedback.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRo_SY_YY6WDAkEFMhmDBkyDop4IlV0lqJowdS_HkUX_aVsTPFtR9v1tnilfRdPsSoRo0K_6qqsZJvDiY_xD9o4_AlN23WbqRHM0txmWWDDH-ZvjtKSF2YpOMd6EsVwybE3S2V-IAk438/s1600/DSCN4338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRo_SY_YY6WDAkEFMhmDBkyDop4IlV0lqJowdS_HkUX_aVsTPFtR9v1tnilfRdPsSoRo0K_6qqsZJvDiY_xD9o4_AlN23WbqRHM0txmWWDDH-ZvjtKSF2YpOMd6EsVwybE3S2V-IAk438/s400/DSCN4338.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power at the river bank. Sounds like a good place for irrigation.</td></tr>
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If the design is successful, AWP may have the opportunity to pilot, test and scale the design.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gWdwg0T-3sVTkcvnnJhjPkcWBTcz8_7nN4-SlAyodKnwEpRIpnokOQPyCTEMPcB5DpB38J20dQiTOAjBKN20oo0OobdGS51ux3nXAVOHNcGNgzVUtF0yzOtpzpTGolIspKu17mxK1uBq/s1600/DSC01384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gWdwg0T-3sVTkcvnnJhjPkcWBTcz8_7nN4-SlAyodKnwEpRIpnokOQPyCTEMPcB5DpB38J20dQiTOAjBKN20oo0OobdGS51ux3nXAVOHNcGNgzVUtF0yzOtpzpTGolIspKu17mxK1uBq/s400/DSC01384.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chikwawa District Executive Committee - collaborating with other development workers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm5RMUyFvPX-cgcjIgOZeAlKUtqbpMd10xoYI91qhmcOAFScL92uOkePS1IOOsrWwWtBCThen6L9AAsGp68TJqcSvDjsJp00FZQDSlN3McuTL66XvoxTvFPk5HV5spqIVT2u6-wZqAwjo/s1600/DSCN4339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm5RMUyFvPX-cgcjIgOZeAlKUtqbpMd10xoYI91qhmcOAFScL92uOkePS1IOOsrWwWtBCThen6L9AAsGp68TJqcSvDjsJp00FZQDSlN3McuTL66XvoxTvFPk5HV5spqIVT2u6-wZqAwjo/s400/DSCN4339.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pump house for an electric motor pump. The site is not operational but has potential. What can we do better?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3eqQFQeG59kQO-AmOYC2CC7IFIRom7E9PyVvBfFCUSWKQHfIC-j0-abEOG1WLofhlRJ7s5W0rup3AWfbIxLL6U7quypc8mRFGxegtsFp4qR-qQrzbFBaejgxFjKkCK4q-h3SyCCU8jRv/s1600/DSCN4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3eqQFQeG59kQO-AmOYC2CC7IFIRom7E9PyVvBfFCUSWKQHfIC-j0-abEOG1WLofhlRJ7s5W0rup3AWfbIxLL6U7quypc8mRFGxegtsFp4qR-qQrzbFBaejgxFjKkCK4q-h3SyCCU8jRv/s400/DSCN4343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prime for irrigation. The Shire Rive cuts through the valley.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-21110953750714055652016-02-02T23:15:00.000-08:002016-02-02T23:15:09.138-08:00Irrigating in the Rain<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VhJnqV9JpQsjG7yk-vE7P94DwZDzGtgO3tGajS_T6a1w7gYXrahYIR3iH5KPGG2WFSfeaWevwu78xutgcy6j1ZUD45NMHu3TeyL-kTwLGvuyK1vzxNEX9iXeuu-bpvpF9Q0bLwchye9h/s1600/IMG_20160125_111407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VhJnqV9JpQsjG7yk-vE7P94DwZDzGtgO3tGajS_T6a1w7gYXrahYIR3iH5KPGG2WFSfeaWevwu78xutgcy6j1ZUD45NMHu3TeyL-kTwLGvuyK1vzxNEX9iXeuu-bpvpF9Q0bLwchye9h/s400/IMG_20160125_111407.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind blows year round - why not use it?</td></tr>
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Malawi has a rainy season and a dry season. Unfortunately, the rainy season can sometimes be rather dry. As we train farmers in irrigation, they are looking to capitalize on the dry season for food production and income generation. Perhaps the bigger impact comes during a dry rainy season, or drought as it is usually known.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CejGMtFhFKz-oyFB6A0nLTmxIeFq7jesuM5ZAgTy6apY2a56D9D8-lcEyLdnme4wZkAntuGTR72EEq9MGT8g0YgVnUsNyBxgHcjthAX2dKj-U3FYuZP3aduchy19eXGZpUJgSukGysgd/s1600/IMG_20160125_111430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CejGMtFhFKz-oyFB6A0nLTmxIeFq7jesuM5ZAgTy6apY2a56D9D8-lcEyLdnme4wZkAntuGTR72EEq9MGT8g0YgVnUsNyBxgHcjthAX2dKj-U3FYuZP3aduchy19eXGZpUJgSukGysgd/s400/IMG_20160125_111430.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AWP Demo Garden - teaching farmers about rainy season irrigation</td></tr>
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The 2015/2016 rainy season has provided below average rainfall for most of the country. Farmers who have irrigation skills and equipment can save their crops by covering the water deficit through pumping ground water. Because the rain still supplies most of the water, the farmers are able to irrigate larger plots than they would be able to if they had to supply the full water requirement.<br />
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After a very bad harvest last year due to low rainfall, farmers cannot afford another drought. By irrigating during the rainy season, they will be able to keep food production up to prevent the devastation of hunger and malnutrition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFiLBlAAnmAsoHgn-d64VIHMo3nS3hgO3_JKOHFuvMnNHOZc89xDhH03_iWUst31EMhpAv9rOYk8EXOq3FO3GPUVb1-hYXh_4SwrJJc4x0CmyuDZ9AffWjNDnhCXA49ROtxoE38cS7DdP/s1600/IMG_20160125_111048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFiLBlAAnmAsoHgn-d64VIHMo3nS3hgO3_JKOHFuvMnNHOZc89xDhH03_iWUst31EMhpAv9rOYk8EXOq3FO3GPUVb1-hYXh_4SwrJJc4x0CmyuDZ9AffWjNDnhCXA49ROtxoE38cS7DdP/s400/IMG_20160125_111048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maize suffers from water-stress - drought effects</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-53387078792667018602015-11-18T02:15:00.004-08:002015-11-18T02:15:59.992-08:00New Farmers Take On Hunger in Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every year around this time, Malawians are preparing their gardens to be planted at the first sign of the rainy season. Farmers in our training programmes are no different, except that's not all they are doing. Irrigation farmers are preparing to harvest at the same time they are preparing to plant. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dLVuecbds29khAhB4s04vVUVT7J4jUfaGV64MWsz69zWvNBNOJ38M_lw7wtIa9Zoqo31AG_C49sfjGgKXKKuz5vLFruwDYvUjrhH1UH9Y9KnZrvoCq5VY2y45W48gyskjMkZG6QJSixY/s1600/DSC01226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dLVuecbds29khAhB4s04vVUVT7J4jUfaGV64MWsz69zWvNBNOJ38M_lw7wtIa9Zoqo31AG_C49sfjGgKXKKuz5vLFruwDYvUjrhH1UH9Y9KnZrvoCq5VY2y45W48gyskjMkZG6QJSixY/s400/DSC01226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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These pictures show the dense, deep-green fields of our newest trainees at Ngwangwa. The local Extension Office estimated a shortage of 50% after the 2015 rainy season harvest. December is half way to the next harvest, and many families are beginning to ration food, or even run out completely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV89Calq1rzbZPkLMUB4JIA8PtE4faPr642SS90Hl5J2KC1nf6XXYi8KAGPKCi8zHfb0kCuQOhn8WNwez3ZdkHkewCRqx8tyUXMkNZ6hori8xZxIRf1tdOMuteQkHG0tpPaODsHu5OaYM/s1600/DSC01219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV89Calq1rzbZPkLMUB4JIA8PtE4faPr642SS90Hl5J2KC1nf6XXYi8KAGPKCi8zHfb0kCuQOhn8WNwez3ZdkHkewCRqx8tyUXMkNZ6hori8xZxIRf1tdOMuteQkHG0tpPaODsHu5OaYM/s400/DSC01219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
A harvest of just 500 lbs of grain can carry a family over for 4 to 6 months when other food supplies are dwindling. Many of these farmers can expect to harvest as much as 1,000 lbs of maize from their irrigated fields.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIn17H5zgipt4-M4zzxc7ZMIIsh3XA3tqmOxZlopNjq-0kELx-JJZqowH88fc0TZTZ16rXbuDSPew9k_7JyleeAMqlAX84UxJpMx0y5aaB7tJ9KYDKVZnO1gq183mdXN6lC6MB9LtjTDJ/s1600/DSC01220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIn17H5zgipt4-M4zzxc7ZMIIsh3XA3tqmOxZlopNjq-0kELx-JJZqowH88fc0TZTZ16rXbuDSPew9k_7JyleeAMqlAX84UxJpMx0y5aaB7tJ9KYDKVZnO1gq183mdXN6lC6MB9LtjTDJ/s320/DSC01220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The farmers were trained in a strategy that would both increase their production, and ensure that the food is available when it is most needed. Irrigation is the backbone of the strategy because it allows them to grow food at any time. Irrigation provides a farmer with tools to fight hunger whenever the need arises.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rpUc8HyKWqWU82AmqvwGUOKx4RkOIUh0yxk7qRXndcQ_3dFxr7i4vuO0Jus0fDnZsALKyEERBaDmgG9gfw9EiwGTAAzMykY4Rc67uo-CxEadyyt85cqUf0njIU8RmHvlbzZIWUZYROjY/s1600/DSC01222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rpUc8HyKWqWU82AmqvwGUOKx4RkOIUh0yxk7qRXndcQ_3dFxr7i4vuO0Jus0fDnZsALKyEERBaDmgG9gfw9EiwGTAAzMykY4Rc67uo-CxEadyyt85cqUf0njIU8RmHvlbzZIWUZYROjY/s320/DSC01222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This year, AWP trained 325 farmers in irrigation and food security strategies. The farmers grew maize in response to last year's drought and low yields. Some farmers were in desperate situations following crop failures, and while they are still struggling, the situation is less grim, more hopeful. Farmers have a sense of purpose, rather than helplessness, because they have the means to respond to the food shortage. Other families are now looking to them for help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIwTnIvkVsxfF3CRPb7XqfjH4zWuIBKPhWxhr-G4lCJXGBt1hCD-JZmQN1KVF1JwuQh4sXOXPvx9ABBigjAZqowLvpVvZMhtN2L4w5EyYePBzw1LPYU5HGaOEXB5N9bv1thQoekhjqaZV/s1600/DSC01223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIwTnIvkVsxfF3CRPb7XqfjH4zWuIBKPhWxhr-G4lCJXGBt1hCD-JZmQN1KVF1JwuQh4sXOXPvx9ABBigjAZqowLvpVvZMhtN2L4w5EyYePBzw1LPYU5HGaOEXB5N9bv1thQoekhjqaZV/s320/DSC01223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjyQeohlDqWHUndb5UX0EIuJJH8d4ulbsjcQkLub7SiFIY5AOE9jRMAJyD8YGouwhei7D-4AnBB2I07IstCaFJ7g3HOUNzQRDZroO-10KgptdSAM9ZEv_xLQV6wewzW-m63-kssyJr49_/s1600/DSC01227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjyQeohlDqWHUndb5UX0EIuJJH8d4ulbsjcQkLub7SiFIY5AOE9jRMAJyD8YGouwhei7D-4AnBB2I07IstCaFJ7g3HOUNzQRDZroO-10KgptdSAM9ZEv_xLQV6wewzW-m63-kssyJr49_/s320/DSC01227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-89909916595157700472015-08-24T02:59:00.000-07:002015-08-24T02:59:30.539-07:00Doing more with less<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The concept of efficiency is critically important as it applies to many different aspects of the farming life in Malawi. The yield per acre; farm output versus input; the percentage of water pumped that reaches the roots of the crop; the amount of time spent in the garden versus the level of production. Farmers who waste land, inputs, water, or time are less efficient, and therefore more at risk of hunger and malnutrition.</div>
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Farmers need to be able to do more with less. That's where good, simple pumps come in. The area that one young woman can grow with a pump is more than what two strong men can manage with watering cans.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzo-0Ri3Wd7mFumXo4gZjeZ3C2aCWgNQcHipCgO1Lb8dUe9gofGjHTPbn4ICXRCrGlDEuvHGSz1osskStgzVaQkEZBXIGmFNvdw1W9A7_JKD6D_xZP1AUfvIQUxJiMWF3QQaxHtUtaPZX/s1600/IMG_20150724_102929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzo-0Ri3Wd7mFumXo4gZjeZ3C2aCWgNQcHipCgO1Lb8dUe9gofGjHTPbn4ICXRCrGlDEuvHGSz1osskStgzVaQkEZBXIGmFNvdw1W9A7_JKD6D_xZP1AUfvIQUxJiMWF3QQaxHtUtaPZX/s400/IMG_20150724_102929.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This girl was put in charge of watering a huge field of cabbages by herself. Her father trusts that she can manage to do it, even though without a pump he couldn't do it himself. On top of that, she still has time to get home and take care of her other chores and schoolwork.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCbvb8y2JJYeoqq2xhRhOQN9TvN6jaw5SDcsJ8eNL6zOES_Dcojhf1a4IArgiffGzBe3SiNCDdCdrQJY8Lyd8RM1corS0lYDbQ4lcvfiiFfkTSC8OrM33UwwRDR7h2KxRW3vnLmMYhlQp/s1600/IMG_20150724_102113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCbvb8y2JJYeoqq2xhRhOQN9TvN6jaw5SDcsJ8eNL6zOES_Dcojhf1a4IArgiffGzBe3SiNCDdCdrQJY8Lyd8RM1corS0lYDbQ4lcvfiiFfkTSC8OrM33UwwRDR7h2KxRW3vnLmMYhlQp/s400/IMG_20150724_102113.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
A field of cabbages of this size can provide enough income to pay two years of school fees. Families that could not normally pay for their kids' education can work together to grow a crop that will meet all their needs and even improve their lives through education, healthcare, better housing, better drinking water, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pWs6-Qo4LvaQ9LmJi_Gz2vOWC825gODRkiVKGkNdERrv5llBWfu2Hsp1OiQdf6PN6S5Yria9jownVtNHTrR8fda1ENfP8ZjlvXP1gff1J47KeOhWILotWYW7pXgwtnpAx5x47bbX7vtt/s1600/IMG_20150724_102145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pWs6-Qo4LvaQ9LmJi_Gz2vOWC825gODRkiVKGkNdERrv5llBWfu2Hsp1OiQdf6PN6S5Yria9jownVtNHTrR8fda1ENfP8ZjlvXP1gff1J47KeOhWILotWYW7pXgwtnpAx5x47bbX7vtt/s400/IMG_20150724_102145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-74113047363570432552015-06-03T01:54:00.000-07:002015-06-03T01:54:18.144-07:00Deriving Windmill Data from a Bicycle OdometerMany development projects lack data to support their implementation. This does not mean that the projects are not having a positive impact. It could simply be that the data is harder to collect than the project is to implement. After all, for us to know how much water our windmill is pumping we would have to sit and watch it 24/7. It's just not feasible. Or it wasn't until now.<br />
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Our demonstration windmill, which has supplied more than one million liters to the garden, is under its own trial to produce data that can be used for redesign and replication. One of the challenges is to understand the behaviour and performance of the windmill over a long period of time, without constantly having to be present at the garden.<br />
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To address this, we have modified a bicycle odometer to record data in real time. On a bicycle, the computer takes input from a magnetic sensor that signals every time the magnet on the spokes goes around one revolution. It is essentially recording RPMs and converting that to distance and speed. We have adapted the computer to record RPMs on the windmill. First, the windmill's RPMs are usually much slower than a bicycle's, so instead of one sensor, we use 6 evenly spaced around the spokes of the windmill. Now the sensor can pick up much slower speeds, but we have to divide all of our measurements by 6.<br />
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Next we record the distance, speed, and "trip time", from the computer. Distance corresponds directly to number of rotations. In this case, we use an input tire circumference of 1,667mm in the computer. This yields approximately 100 rotations per kilometer. We can also convert the speed to RPMs. That is, 1 kilometer per hour is approximately 1.67 rotations per minute. The "trip time" simply let's us know how many hours the windmill was moving since the last time we recorded the data.<br />
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The piston pump driven by the windmill falls into a category of pumps called "positive displacement pumps", or PD pumps for short. The important thing about PD pumps is that their output is in direct linear proportion to the cycle rate of the pump. (This is in contrast to a centrifugal pump which has a diminishing return on increasing speeds beyond its intended speed). We can convert the RPMs to pump output by multiplying the RPMs by the displacement of the piston. In our case, each stroke of the pump displaces 1.13 liters. So, 1 kilometer per hour is equal to 1.67 RPMs, which is equal to 1.88 liters per minute.<br />
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Finally, we can analyze the data from the computer to learn:<br />
1. How much water the windmill pumped<br />
2. Its average speed/output during the times when it was moving<br />
3. The "up time" or proportion of time it was actually moving<br />
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Our goal is to maximize the amount of water pumped. When we make modifications to the windmill, we observe changes in the average output and up time. For example, if we decrease the pump displacement, we would expect to see average speed and "up time" increase because there is less resistance. We can now see if these increases are enough to overcome the loss of displacement to pump more water overall.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-66806303095907338772015-06-03T01:25:00.001-07:002015-06-03T01:25:58.020-07:00Using Data to Improve Project Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd4Qsx8V5CLlRKlV2XTUBsndAlXOZNSE_NVEKq7UB_xrMz8oxoFD4D2SPTenCZW-wqVseyxUnVDGHqDNK7atO0Zs7BghvL3TpZKH0TuyCVjuavbWV9hoDnfK3qsw4UOsJkeL4Aw1_GqiZ/s1600/20150602_111428+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd4Qsx8V5CLlRKlV2XTUBsndAlXOZNSE_NVEKq7UB_xrMz8oxoFD4D2SPTenCZW-wqVseyxUnVDGHqDNK7atO0Zs7BghvL3TpZKH0TuyCVjuavbWV9hoDnfK3qsw4UOsJkeL4Aw1_GqiZ/s400/20150602_111428+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The AWP Demonstration Garden is an important component of our project because it is a platform for teaching and research. Already this year we have conducted a tomato trial, resulting in a production of 880 lbs of tomatoes on a 4,500 square foot plot. The results of the tomato trial have been used by two partner organizations in planning their own irrigation activities.<br />
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Currently, we are conducting trials of cabbage, onion, tomato (again), potato, and maize. Farmers in the area are observing these trials so that they can learn how to achieve similar results. The results of the trials will guide organizations across Malawi on project design, helping them target realistic goals with their farmers. This is one way we help farmers achieve food security without directly training them ourselves.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-28065641212666420922015-05-05T07:56:00.003-07:002015-05-05T07:56:59.445-07:00Irrigation Training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9Dz60YrGXakWMH649Ht6aykXO1d8xsT_U-56wrZjFsaVXL2yxCv9k65b0bJ25hyphenhyphenS0jd4NXxLxJ1ekFgnaPiQfZekcANbW5wMRgIysgintmyp0XzXS0EUTPxM3fYSwwGlxOk0IeBHqr5X/s1600/DSC00461+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9Dz60YrGXakWMH649Ht6aykXO1d8xsT_U-56wrZjFsaVXL2yxCv9k65b0bJ25hyphenhyphenS0jd4NXxLxJ1ekFgnaPiQfZekcANbW5wMRgIysgintmyp0XzXS0EUTPxM3fYSwwGlxOk0IeBHqr5X/s1600/DSC00461+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Irrigation allows a farmer to be productive year-round. This means that food production is less weather dependent, and more in the farmers own hands. Farmers who practice only rainy season planting must harvest their entire annual food requirement at one time. If the harvest is too little, better luck next year. But farmers who adopt irrigation can take their rainy season harvest as a starting point, adding grain, protein, and vegetables strategically to make it through the year with plenty of food on the table.<br />
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There are other techniques farmers use to stretch the rainy season harvest. They can sell products when the market price is higher, thereby having to sell less. They can practice better farming methods to increase overall yields. They can ration the harvest equally throughout the year to avoid total famine. Improving storage, processing, and cooking methods can boost efficiency. But irrigation has a multiplying effect on all of these strategies. </div>
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More than 50 farmers have already been trained this year. Another class of over 100 are entering the training phase. The expected increase in yield should total more than 30 metric tonnes. That's enough to feed you for the next 50 thousand days, or more importantly, 200 families for an additional 2 months per year - long enough to break the cycle of hunger.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-54421839846873857962015-03-23T01:23:00.000-07:002015-03-23T01:27:09.369-07:00Tomato/Maize Trials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our demonstration garden at Mziza is primarily platform for teaching about irrigation, but it also serves as a place for trials and experiments. Over the past four months, we have been conducting trials on maize and tomatoes.<br />
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We planted 2,000 individual tomato plants on area of 4,500 square feet, or about 1/10 of an acre. We spent $50 excluding labour to grow the plot for 4 months. At harvest, we collected 400 kilograms (880 lbs.) of tomatoes and sold them for about $190. This success can easily be replicated and exceeded by our farmers, if they manage their crops properly. The income from such a small plot would be equivalent to more than 3 months living expenses.</div>
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For our maize, we wanted to attempt early planting with irrigation, that would be met with rains mid-growth. This technique is effective when rain patterns are unpredictable. After the first 6 weeks of irrigation, the seasonal rains took over watering duties. This relieved the farmers of the workload of irrigating the maize at exactly the time they needed to be planting other crops at the start of the rains. In late February, the maize was ready for eating as corn on the cob. By March, it was ready for making nsima, the local staple dish. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm5bjUUv5jDaSyJEVzsp4bX9zO_LWeyaxGm0npHouHFByQammZdA23V1_DQB9jXEenU-oWWnFHJ8ZltaU1bWvSrSYXtNlb0FsEZsNysESf5KeBXts94rfmj5t7pYG2DaBY3H9Xz4HaQ3o/s1600/20150220_070946+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm5bjUUv5jDaSyJEVzsp4bX9zO_LWeyaxGm0npHouHFByQammZdA23V1_DQB9jXEenU-oWWnFHJ8ZltaU1bWvSrSYXtNlb0FsEZsNysESf5KeBXts94rfmj5t7pYG2DaBY3H9Xz4HaQ3o/s1600/20150220_070946+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Farmers can adopt this technique of early planting and preempt the hunger that strikes most communities in February-April. Many farmers are already using this method, and that will be a good thing this year, when rains have stopped before the rain-planted maize has matured. Early planted maize will provide a small, but needed bump to the annual harvest and give farmers more time to look for other solutions to the below average yields.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-49875641151522150362015-03-12T00:09:00.002-07:002015-03-12T00:09:16.293-07:00Composting TrainingAs training continues, farmers will get out of the classroom and into their fields. The first test of the trainees' muscle is to make a compost heap of 8 cubic meters, a 2 by 2 meter cube of grass, leaves, manure, and crop residues. The compost heap will decompose into about 1 ton of nutrient rich compost that can be used to grow 1/4 acre of corn or vegetables. It is equivalent to about $50 worth of fertilizer.<br />
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Composting not only provides nutrients but reduces the risk involved when investing heavily in chemical fertilizer. If the crop fails due to weather or the farmer falls ill during the season, the fertilizer is wasted. Compost does not wash out of the soil as quickly and only costs the farmers time to gather the composting materials.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804564219206583259.post-37755090517698126852015-02-09T22:51:00.006-08:002015-02-09T23:04:51.133-08:00Establishing Farming Clubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Mphimbi Club invited the local chiefs to</b></div>
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<b>the training (seated on the right)</b></div>
<b>Club Formation</b><br />
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In January, AWP worked with three new communities to establish farming clubs. The clubs form the basis of our partnership with the farmers, but also give the farmers themselves a platform to create positive change in their community. We discourage the idea (which always crops up) that such clubs are "AWP Clubs". On the contrary, these clubs are independent, persistent, and autonomous. They will work with other organizations, agri-businesses, and government extension officers. They invite AWP to their meetings, rather than AWP calling them to a training. They manage themselves, which is important for the sustainability of the club.</div>
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The clubs begin by discussing the many reasons people do farming. To have enough food for their families, to earn income, to preserve the land for their children, and to provide for the sick, elderly, and bereaved, are all common answers. From this, the club will decide on an overall goal, a mission statement, for their charter.</div>
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<b>Mphombe Club members gather at a local church</b></div>
<b>Self-evaluation</b></div>
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The club then must determine how they will know if they are being successful as a group. They will need to identify the observable outcomes of their success (e.g. the quantity of food produced, income earned), and track them over time. This is the capacity for self-evaluation that will ensure the club don't look to AWP or any other organization to know whether they are being successful. </div>
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By self-evaluating, the club will be in a better position to maintain and grow its membership. Everyone will know exactly what benefits the club is offering them. By using multiple measures of success (production, income, nutrition, persistent availability of food), the club will have as many opportunities of achieving something that will give them hope and motivate them to improve. If you don't know what you're aiming for, you don't know how much you have achieved.<br />
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<b>The Mphombe Club chairman gives a final word of encouragement</b></div>
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