Commercial Integrated Farming Initiative (CIFI) will train 3,000 women over three years how to use sustainable farming practices to grow crops that can both be sold for profit and feed their families.
In just a few months, a plot of land that was once unused will become green and lush, covered with collard greens, bell peppers, watermelon, and more. A few hotels in Rumbek are already receiving small deliveries of vegetables, and have expressed great satisfaction with the product. With 40% of food imported into Sudan, the demand for produce from CIFI far outpaces the current numbers of trained women in the program. More women in the program means more women involved in sustainable solutions.
Currently, 880 women are being trained on land use, irrigation, crop types, and farming techniques as well as marketing of their products. Eventually, the program will include 3,000 women who will run a cooperative agribusiness on over 148 acres.
“CIFI is a cooperative income generation model that will not only increase local food production and bring down food prices, it will also decrease the demand for outside assistance by empowering women,” says Karen Sherman, Director of Global Programs
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
