Micro-farming project in remote Kafubu Valley, Democratic Republic of Congo, will increase corn production above current starvation level by teaching 250 subsistence farmers best practices . Top quality hybrid corn seed, fertilizer, insecticide, and guidance by professional agronomists is provided. Profits from sale of corn provide families better nutrition, money for school fees, healthcare, and repayment for seed and fertilizer, thus providing funds to serve more families the next year.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the very poorest countries in the world. Subsistence farm families in the five villages of Kafubu Valley are among the poorest of the poor. Lacking training in best farm practices and using inferior seed, corn harvests barely keep families from starvation, with NO money left for school tuition, healthcare, or other basic necessities. (NO government-funded schools exist in the DRC. Poverty-stricken families have NO money for tuition.)
Professional agronomists (members of a Congolese NGO organized 22 years ago) teach farmers best practices, including wise layout of their hectare, effective weed control, efficient methods. Top quality hybrid corn seed---especially bred for African highlands, fertilizer, and insecticide is provided to each farmer. From the increased production, farmers have enough to repay the initial investment and feed families; save seed for planting; pay school tuition, healthcare, and other necessities.
86 families on 51 hectares were involved in 2017-2018. 33% of the families were headed by a woman. Corn yields were 400% above average! Food is sufficient. 50% have already repaid the agreed upon amount for seed, fertilizer, pesticide. More will pay. Children are being educated! Seed is retained for next season. The NEAR-STARVATION CYCLE IS BROKEN! Lives are being changed. Families are becoming SELF-SUFFICIENT and SELF-RELIANT! Plans are for 250 families in 2018-2019, 500 the following year.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
