In this month’s action card we are greeted by the smiling face of Angelina Ngoza, a farmer who works with Progressio in Malawi. Angelina is shielding her six children from hunger and beating dependence on big business - by going organic with Progressio's help.
Much of Progressio's work with smallholder farmers like Angelina focuses on helping boost yields through 'agroecology', including organic farming. These draw heavily on farming traditions - but are not simply 'a return to the old ways'. Instead, they are about building upon traditional practices and adapting them to changing environmental and climatic conditions.
As a result, Angelina and her neighbours are no longer using high-priced chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Progressio's development worker has taught them how to make their own fertiliser using manure and other waste, grow legumes to turn into natural pesticides and turn weeds into compost, ending their reliance on herbicides. Angelina is now able to feed her family and plan a long-term future without being in debt with agricultural companies.
“Before I knew about organic
farming I was forced to buy high-priced chemical fertilisers to make my
crops grow. But I could never afford all I needed. I was taught to use
pesticides and herbicides too, but they killed small animals and left
burns on my arms. I always worried that these chemicals might one day
kill me.”
“After only one year of being
organic, I am already
harvesting one extra bag of maize for my family and I know my harvests
will get bigger. Organic farming doesn’t harm the soil, it
is
healthier and I can charge more for the vegetables I sell in the local
market.”
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190a New North Road
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