LETTERS FROM FARMERS AND TRAINERS
The letters Kilili Self Help Project receives from both farmers and trainers tell of the benefits of increased crop production to families—and to their society: more children at school, less illegal alcohol sold, more money in circulation locally, children helping AIDS widows and AIDS-stricken families to grow crops, and more; and the demand for training constantly increases.
Peter Mwaura, SLIDE (trainer): “The expectation was that 120 people would come to the workshop, but we had 250 participants. When they were shown the demonstration site where kales, spinach, and maize were planted without chemical fertilizers they could not believe their eyes.”
C-Map training team: “Over 50% of the farmers trained this year have already trained at least two other farmers. One of them, Stephen Macharia, has trained ten!”
Baldas Murambakania, IRCEP (trainer): “The participating farmers increased this year from 540 to 986 farmers. 15 farmers joined hands and began making Bio-organic compost which they sell to other farmers. IRCEP farmers’ income from sales of extra garden produce has increased to an average of $1 US per day! Our local chief announced that the brewing of illegal alcohol continues to drop as the farmers engage seriously in Biointensive activities. He also announced that there is a decrease in crime rate and the area senior chief appointed 5 IRCEP farmers to join a community policing program.”
Joshua Amwai Machinga, trainer: “Teresa Mulongo takes care of nine orphaned grandchildren. As a result of our program, she now earns $100 from her farm per month.”
“Dina Musa, 71 years old, takes care of two grandchildren, and earns approximately $60 per month. She told us ‘There were times before when we slept on empty stomachs. But now, thanks to God, at least I know I have food, seed, and some money. And somewhere someone cares about us.’”
“The training the children have acquired has enabled them to train and prepare Biointensive food gardens for people with AIDS and their affected families and distribute seeds and tools. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) training and activities have helped allay malnutrition and hunger, doubled school attendance and improved academic performance. In 2006, 35 Pathfinder children were able to assist over 250 families keeping hope alive for today, tomorrow and the future.”
Joshua reporting on a follow-up visit to Chamaa Women Group: “It was encouraging to see farmers harvesting vegetables even in this dry spell. When I asked why they were the only ones in the area with vegetables, the women replied, ‘Because of double-digging and compost in the soil.’”
One of Joshua Amwai Machinga’s farmers writes: “Thank you for coming to our rescue. All the people who receive these seeds and training are so grateful that you are doing this wonderful job to save the lives of strangers.”
Ambrose Yamo, farmer: “I never new that sugarcane tops can give a good fortified compost, we just used to burn the materials after harvesting sugar cane. I used it in the short rains season to plant my one acre farm and harvested 1350 kg of maize where I used to harvest only 80kg of maize. My family is now food secure and we can save our little income from vegetables.”
Douglas Aringo, farmer: “It was nice to note the family of 8 can live on a small piece of land. I noted that it is possible to get 16 bags of maize from an area of 900 square feet. Normally this is produced on an acre on most farms in Kenya. I am planning to replicate what I saw in my rural village in Nyanza.”
Moses Tenai, trainer “The farmers, being fully aware of the intense pressure on the land in their area, surged out for training. As a result, 304 farmers turned out for training, 164 more than we were expecting.”
“Farmers have now started harvesting their vegetables. Most of the families were puzzled to find that the tiny place they had spared for their Biointensive garden provided enough vegetables for the family and for sale too.”
“46% of these families attests that they have been spending a lot of money even during rainy seasons to purchase vegetables for their families. But as a result of this program, they are now selling instead, hence preventing the cash outflow and encouraging the cash inflow in their homes. It was indeed fantastic to see the influence of our project causing joy and contentment among different families within such a short period.”
Moses Mukongo, trainer: “Over 50% of the farmers trained this year have already trained at least two other farmers. One of them, Stephen Macharia, has trained ten! In Matunda-Milimani Community, the attendance was more than we had planned and budgeted for. By day two, the number was double what we had expected.”
Moses Tenai, trainer: “I’m really dedicated in making a big difference with the funds that you are providing to our community. My greatest prayer is to put every single dollar to commendable use, such that it bounce with new life full of contentment, satisfaction accompanied with joy and good health for all.”
Rose Mugerwa, farmer, Uganda: “My daughter Everlane joined form one in one of the prestigious schools in Masaka. Through Biointensive technology I am paying school fees for my daughter. Currently I am supplying lettuce, eggplants, and capsicum to several hotels in Masaka.”
Stanley Kinyanjui and Jack Wafula, trainers: “After the biointensive trainings, farmer’s soils have improved from being hard and unfertile and it is now soft, loose and able to hold moisture. It has become easy to manage, black in colour and worms can be seen which a sign of soil fertility.”
COSDEP Biointensive training team: “From improved soils, farmers are now able to grow and harvest enough food for their neighbours the rest take to the market and be able to earn extra income. Since the farmers are not spending anymore on pesticides, their health and that of their children has improved from consuming chemical free food.”
Hannah Kamau, farmer: “I learnt that the small portion of land that I still owned could be turned into a kitchen garden. I’m happy to report to you that for several months now I have been able to provide my family with enough vegetables from the small garden and with no costs incurred.”
Kenneth Muchugia, farmer: “I’m happy to report that my maize resisted the drought season and I was able to harvest enough for my family and I even had surplus. This was so because I practiced composting which made my soil fertile and even able to retain water and withstand the dry season”
Please help us to train more farmers in Biointensive agriculture: Donate.
