The Joy I Have Found In farming
James’ Story
Mr James Phwetekere, a 62 years old and a father to 4 children and a grandfather to 2 grandchildren. He comes from Njumbula village in Mpamantha, he is a member of Chansato Farmers club and Mpamantha cooperative. He has been a farmer for so long but most of the times he wasn’t able to realize maximum benefits from farming as was not able to good markets for his prodece because of quality. When his farmers club was supported with sessions on improved farming practices and strengthening market networks he thought these will help him and they were addressing his challenges.
“I have now found joy in farming than before, it all started when I was linked with a rice trader who bought my 21 bags of rice at MK15,000 which made me to have MK315,000 which I was not able to get previously, last year I sold 20 bags at MK13,500 each this was because my rice was of poor quality and now when I applied knowledge gained during sessions conducted by FOCCAD in our group meetings which involved mentoring us to be practicing crop diversification and also practising home stead farming which led me not to solerly depend on rice for income or food as a result I was able to harvest quality rice which I managed keep as I waited for better prices.
Mr James Phwetekere, a 62 years old and a father to 4 children and a grandfather to 2 grandchildren. He comes from Njumbula village in Mpamantha, he is a member of Chansato Farmers club and Mpamantha cooperative. He has been a farmer for so long but most of the times he wasn’t able to realize maximum benefits from farming as was not able to good markets for his prodece because of quality. When his farmers club was supported with sessions on improved farming practices and strengthening market networks he thought these will help him and they were addressing his challenges.
“I have now found joy in farming than before, it all started when I was linked with a rice trader who bought my 21 bags of rice at MK15,000 which made me to have MK315,000 which I was not able to get previously, last year I sold 20 bags at MK13,500 each this was because my rice was of poor quality and now when I applied knowledge gained during sessions conducted by FOCCAD in our group meetings which involved mentoring us to be practicing crop diversification and also practising home stead farming which led me not to solerly depend on rice for income or food as a result I was able to harvest quality rice which I managed keep as I waited for better prices.
Then I was able to cope because I also established a backyard and dambo garden where I was getting food and have nutrioutios meals at my household and surrounding households. I was also able to exchange the vegetables with cassava flour and I also sold the vegetables and I did get K23,000. I got MK5,000 from the tomatoes in my backyard garden which I couldn’t have previously and this kept me going as I waited for better prices.
In September I sold my rice where I realized MK315,000, from this money I bought 2 pigs and I plan to invest the rest in farming. I will be collecting manure from the pig khola and use them in my farming as advised. The money from the Bakyard garden I used MK4,000 to buy 4 pigeons. Now I have 4 livestock khola’s in my household as previously I only had Chicken and goats. Now my household well- being have increased as I will be getting food and income from my livestock and crops, thanks to FOCCAD for the support. I will not stop here I have already made another nursery for vegetables to be used in my backyard gadern and dambo in a large area as now I have seen the benefit and I can say I am like a model in my community as other people are also curious on how I have achieved this.”. Said Mr Phwetekere
He is working towards achieving income and food security at his household and being an example for everyone else in the community.
