The Land project hits some new problems.

Although we had been given some 30 hectares of land on which to develop agrarian projects to benefit the local population, our progress in acquiring the full title to the land was halted by an ownership issue between the Chiefdom and the local Solwezi council.  The council want to ‘develop’ the site for housing in a massive over-spill project from Solwezi city and bull-dozers were already scarring the land.

In spite of our spending a lot of money in site surveys and such-like the new chief was unable to sign. However, a group of elders from the region to the south of this new development said that they did not want to lose us and took us to an alternative site, which in many respects is far more attractive.  We now believe that we are on a clearer path to acquiring farm land to carry out training and food production.  We call it ‘Edenside’.  

The view over Edenside – our new promise.

This will involve not only food production (better than shipped-in aid) but training in good practice.  Due to high prices of fertilisers, many farmers are unable to afford them. Conservation farming encourages reduced dependence on artificial fertiliser, and encourages organic production and crop diversification.

We have been most grateful for the assistance and advice of some local Peace Corps volunteers to partner and integrate with GFN in the implementation of activities. The volunteers showed overwhelming willingness to support GFN as they are also involved in the same developmental activities of agriculture in the district.  The community has expressed great willingness both in terms of human resource and in their generous gift of land. They indicated that the expertise they have in craft making can also contribute to improving the socio-economic well-being as a good market is identified.

A number of projects are being planned for the land, including market gardening; fruit growing; pig and poultry production; fish ponds and forestry. We have already broken ground and planted maize to be used as animal food when we acquire livestock for breeding.  The seeds have already sprouted.  Want to help?