14/03/2022
In the province of Zambezia, Mozambique, we are working to improve the food security and nutritional situation of the most vulnerable communities by strengthening agriculture and animal husbandry. We are doing this through the ‘Circular Agriculture to Reduce Hunger in Zambezia’ project, co-financed by the state-run 8×1000, which you can also support by donating here.
Last month, from the community of Barrone, we received the testimony of one of the beneficiaries of the project, Mr Isaías Manuel.
Before the project,” Isaías says, “we had difficulties in farming, due to inefficient cultivation techniques, problems with irrigation and lack of access to seeds. We were not aware of the importance of having a variety of crops and maize, for example, was only grown in the second half of the year, not the first.
Mani Tese helped us with new equipment, seeds and training on agriculture. Now we have changed the way we farm and we are already reaping the first benefits of this work.
Another problem in the community,” Isaías continues, “was drinking water. The well we had in the village was old and the water was no longer good for drinking, we only used it for farming and washing. Now, thanks to the Mani Tese project, a new well has been built and we have drinking water every day.
Mani Tese has also helped us to improve the nutrition of our children. Unfortunately, our sons and daughters have to walk about 5 km to get to school and they need nutritious, energy-giving food. In the past, we used to give the children porridge with rice and sugar, but families who could not afford it used to put salt instead of sugar. Thanks to the teachings of the project, we have learned other ways to prepare food for our children. Now we prepare soy porridge and make it more nutritious with eggs, fish or something else.
An additional difficulty we are facing,” Isaías continues, “is climate change. In the past we sowed in November, now we have sown in January to adapt, but it is a rainy month and this makes production more difficult. With the help of Mani Tese, however, we hope to overcome this difficulty too.
In the future,” concludes Isaías, “we hope to be involved in Mani Tese projects again because we have learned so much, but we also need schools and new wells for drinking water. Thanks to Mani Tese and thanks to all those who will help us.”
Read other stories from the ‘Circular Agriculture to Reduce Hunger in Zambezia’ project and help us improve Zambezia’s food security: https://www.manitese.it/en/project/circular-agriculture-to-reduce-hunger-in-zambezia
