Neglected crops bring hope to the vulnerable
Poverty and hunger attracts scorn and reduces a human being to a beggar. It is therefore the wish of every mother to have a home and a family that is successful, happy and most importantly food secured all year round.
Statistics however indicate that a good number of the 14 million Malawians still survive on 1 United States Dollar per day. This is in spite of a number of efforts by both government and other non- governmental organization to reverse the escalating poverty levels but sadly most people in the country especially in the rural areas still struggle to fend for their families.
Hunger is now past story to Malinga Mtambo , a mother of 3 who is also a member of On farm conservation group in Salima district-an area which experiences perennial dry spells. Malinga is divorced and inherited the role of a bread winner some four years ago. Since the husband divorced her, life has been unbearable as she now single handedly has to work in the garden to provide for her three children and other dependents.
However, promotion of yams, sorghum, pearl and finger millet and cowpeas by the Malawi Plant Genetic Resources Centre with support from Benefit Sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture brought a ray of hope for the 45 year Mtambo who benefited from the initiative for the last two seasons. “I last planted such kind of crops some five years ago and I remember we used to get some yields even with minimal rainfall” and I am so thankful for the assistance by the Genebank for bringing back the lost crops to our community.” We are going to multiply these seeds and distribute among ourselves so that we have sufficient food all the times”. These were the words from Malinga Mtambo who was overwhelmed by the impact the project has brought to her family.
The centre which was established in 1992 has now embarked on a project to promote cultivation of locally adapted plant species to farmers in the semi arid zones of Malawi with a view of improving farmers’ adaptation to climate change.
According to Mrs Mtambo last growing season (2013/2014) was the most successful in a long time as she managed to harvest enough for consumption as well as for sale.
“I’m at loss for words and I don't know how to thank the people who are giving us the seeds and the planting materials. Its unbelievable to learn that these are the usual local varieties that we have been growing in the past and that they've just been improved. I cannot remember the last time that I was able to harvest as much as I've done. I hope this programme will continue and that more and more farmer benefits."
" This year I've also registered to benefit from the programme and I'm planning to put up iron sheets for my house after selling my produce. I'm also planning to buy school uniforms for my three children and other educational materials and goats" She said.
Malinga sounding very jovial and wearing a big smile said she no longer looks down on herself as a divorced but a mother, a successful farmer with hope for the future.
“I’m so excited with this project and I encourage others farmers not to waste time but come and join these seed multiplication and on farm conservation groups." She said.
Acting Curator for Plant Genetic Resource Centre Nolipher Mponya has since given assurances that the project will reach out to its beneficiaries (both direct and indirect beneficiaries) and that more farmers will be taken on board.
Mponya further explained that the project is very unique and focused as farmers are being provided with crop species of their preference which were originally being grown in their respective areas and are already acclimatized.
“Most of these hybrid varieties that are being grown by our farmers are coming from outside the country where conditions and the climate are very different from the one we have in Malawi and are commonly not doing well under persistent drought conditions. Locally adapted varieties offer the sustainable and lasting solution to food insecurity in the face of climate change and hence farmers need to be encouraged to continue growing these local improved varieties in order to minimize negative effects of climate change and reduce genetic erosion and improve on food security," said Mponya.