KUVIKELA Project Promotes Agricultural Input Fair in Zitundo, Matutuíne District
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This is yet another fair promoted by the Kuvikela project in Zitundo, in the district of Matutuíne, and this time it's an agricultural inputs fair, which aims to "make it easier to bring agricultural inputs closer to the small farmers who are beneficiaries of the Kuvikela project", in the buffer zone of the Maputo National Park.
The event took place last
The event took place last Thursday, October 19, and was attended by small farmers trained at the School Camps in Machamba do Camponês; members of the government executive at Matutuíne District level; and two companies specializing in the sale and supply of agricultural inputs, namely TECAP and Chungueiro Insumos.
On the occasion, Euclides Zavala, Head of the Zitundo Administrative Post, told the communities of Zitundo that the main aim of this activity is to eradicate hunger in that locality and added that it was the community members' "homework" to raise awareness among other members, with a view to accessing the inputs available at the fair.
Speaking to our interview, Zavala pointed out that "As the government of the Administrative Post of Zitundo, we feel very grateful and confident that this fair will bring the two poles closer together: the one that sells and our peasant population, so that they can buy inputs closer to their production area." he stressed.
With regard to the level of production and productivity of the small farmers covered by the Kuvikela project, Zavala pointed out that "There are visible results, so much so that every Sunday our peasant population participates in a fair that has already been "consolidated" in Salamanga"he said.
On the other hand, Anifa Ismael, Kuvikela Project Manager at ADRA Mozambique emphasized that "This mobile store, which we are bringing to you today, aims to bring together and facilitate the purchase of agricultural inputs" and he stressed that "we have to prepare ourselves for the approaching drought"." warned Anifa.
At another point, Natália Raul, a representative of TECAP, an agricultural technology and consultancy company, told our reporting team that "For the small farmers in this town, we brought seeds from the first season and some tools they use in their daily lives, in particular hoes, rakes, handles, boots, raincoats and some veterinary products." he described.
As part of this initiative, ADRA Mozambique has made agricultural seed kits available free of charge to small producers in Zitundo, with an emphasis on seeds for cowpeas, peanuts and game beans.
In part, the beneficiaries of this Ecosystem-Based Adaptation project in Zitundo have applauded this unique initiative by the Kuvikela project and say they feel "lucky" because, according to them,
this is an initiative that no other project has ever undertaken in that community.
We interviewed Fernando Nhancumbe, one of the beneficiaries of the Kuvikela project who, as well as receiving inputs from ADRA, took advantage of the fair to buy six hoes e told our team that "I took advantage of the fair to buy six hoes because I was short. We're very grateful and feel lucky because the price of the inputs is affordable. I have an area of half a hectare and I produce cassava, corn, lettuce, cabbage and onions and I've already started selling onions" Nhancumbe said.
It should be noted that this is the third fair promoted by the KUVIKELA project in the Matutuíne District. The first two fairs held in Machangulo and Ponta do Ouro were fairs to sell agricultural products, and this is the first fair to sell agricultural inputs.
This is your chance to take that life-changing adventure, find your purpose in service, create life-long friendships, and see faith in a new, transformative way. ADRA Connections is ADRA's short-term volunteer program that takes you into the field to put compassion into action and make an impact for communities in need. No experience necessary!
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