Enhance Food Security for 300 Returned Migrants

ODOV Technical Support and Impact

During this reporting period, the Organization to Develop Our Villages (ODOV) focused its efforts on providing continuous technical support and supervision to the 50 selected training participants. ODOV staff maintained a consistent schedule of monitoring visits, technical support, and curriculum integration, ensuring the farmers had the necessary knowledge and guidance to succeed and enabling them to produce more food for consumption and sale.

The core agricultural support provided training focused heavily on climate change adaptation strategies, including instruction on seasonal planting, container gardening, and establishing shelter planting systems for crop protection. This was complemented by detailed lessons on proper soil preparation, effective pest control methods, and the preparation of natural pesticides and hormone fertilizers to ensure improved crop vitality and yields.

In the area of chicken production, ODOV staff strongly encouraged farmers to maintain a schedule of regular vaccination and utilize proper brooding techniques for chicks. To proactively manage diseases related to weather fluctuations, staff provided training on mixing essential vitamins and protective medicines for both the cold and hot seasons, specifically promoting the use of natural vaccines during colder periods to safeguard flock health.

For Social Integration, critical lessons focusing on Gender, Women's Rights, and Family Peace were integrated into the support schedule. This curriculum directly addressed and helped mitigate persistent social challenges observed in the communities, such as unequal resource management, the lack of male participation in domestic work, and instances of domestic violence, promoting a more equitable and peaceful household environment.

During the reporting period, farmers produced 45,000 kg of vegetables, selling 37,350 kg for an income of $18,675. Chicken production resulted in 1,505 kg of total weight, with 550 kg sold, generating $2,200. The total combined income from the sale of vegetables and poultry is $20,875, earned from selling the surplus home food produced, equating to an average income of $417.50 per participating family.

The intervention has resulted in significant Impact and Outcomes. In terms of Technical Success, farmers demonstrated a marked improvement in their knowledge, which translated directly into better crop and livestock production results. This success ensured that families have access to adequate daily food consumption from their home production and led to Sustained Practices. Families are now independently committing to purchasing commercial vaccines for their chickens, successfully applying learned techniques, and generating income from selling their surplus cultivated vegetables and chickens.

Furthermore, the Social Change observed is profound: monitoring confirmed improved gender equality, mutual respect, shared resource management, and a significant reduction in domestic violence, fostering increased family harmony. Crucially, farmers are actively sharing this knowledge with their neighbors, contributing to village-wide peace, and local employment in farming has increased, effectively reducing the need for out-migration.

ODOV staff continued regular field visits to provide coaching and mentoring to project participants. These visits served a dual purpose: to monitor new agricultural techniques and to deliver crucial supplementary lessons. Staff addressed the challenges farmers faced in vegetable growing and chicken raising, providing targeted guidance on climate-resilient practices.

The agricultural training included:

• Seasonal planting, crop rotation, and intercropping.
• Using shade crops, such as bananas and papayas, to protect poultry during the dry season.
• Livestock management, with a focus on regular vaccinations, proper chick care, and the use of dedicated cages. Farmers also learned to use additional natural vaccines during the cold season to ensure their chicks stayed healthy. 

An equally important aspect of the field visits was the integration of social and behavioral lessons. ODOV staff led discussions on gender equality, women's rights, and the characteristics of a peaceful family. Previously, a lack of shared household chores and unequal resource management often led to domestic violence and family conflict. Through these sessions, farmers gained a better understanding of mutual respect, shared responsibilities, and equitable resource management, which has led to significant positive changes in family dynamics.

Monitoring and feedback from participants confirm that the project's lessons are having a profound impact on their families. The project has successfully helped participants achieve food security while creating a new source of income. On average, each household now earns an additional $268 to support their family. 

Production Summary

• Vegetable Production: From a total of 30,400 kg produced, farmers sold 24,060 kg, generating $12,030 in income.
• Chicken Production: From a total of 1,015 kg produced, farmers sold 340 kg, generating $1,360 in income.

 Beyond the economic gains, the project's focus on social lessons has led to significant improvements in gender roles, respect, and household resource management. These changes have created new opportunities for women to participate in the community, resulting in more equality and a reduction in domestic violence. Ultimately, these efforts have fostered more harmonious family lives. This newfound stability is also linked to a decrease in rural migration, as families are now able to build sustainable livelihoods at home through farming.