Support for Agriculture

Rural Action International has a letter of cooperation with the ministry. Ngao Kapuka, Ministry of Agriculture staff member / Rural Action International volunteer has been supported with training materials, training methodology and some funds to improve her training tools.

The first agricultural activity, training on cassava processing and marketing started in 2007. The Mushili Womens Group of Tibi Village and Tukamona Womens Group of Chileshe Mukulu have planted collective cassava farms and increased production on their household plots.

They have both benefited from training. The women gather in a meeting area near their communal farm and are given practical education in preparing local food products in nutritious recipes. There is an emphasis on healthy porridges for young children and babies. Some of the recipes have been translated to the local chiBemba language and copies are in the hands of the community. The women are also trained in basic organization, simple economics and saving.

One area of interest and action is the development of a nursery for Moringa. This is an exotic tree with excellent nutritional and medicinal benefits. The leaves are especially sought after by people living with HIV and AIDS as a vitamin supplement and immunity booster.Ngao has experimented with growing the trees for a couple of years and during the 2010 Rural Action International directors visit it was agreed to fund a nursery for moringa trees. 50 Households in Mushili received moringa seedlings from the central nursery.