How Small Farmers participate
Over 500 smallholder farmer families have joined together in two co-operatives, organized in clusters with bottom-line responsibility to ensure self-reliance.
Substantial irrigation infrastructure has been installed, largely grant-financed, allowing cooperative members to grow food and sugar cane year-round.
Before EcoFarm started, the average income per family in the area was below the poverty level. The revenue from sugar cane alone multiplies average family incomes ten-fold.
EcoFarm encourages women to take on roles traditionally reserved for men, including in leadership positions and as operators of mechanized equipment.
| Existing Co-operatives | Members | o/w Men | o/w Women |
|---|---|---|---|
Chapo Co-Operative | 367 | 237 | 130 |
Lambane Co-Operative | 166 | 121 | 45 |
Total | 533 | 358 | 175 |
a Closer Look at Food Security
Cooperative members have access to 100 hectares of cleared and prepared land for planting food crops. These crops provide for the basic nutritional needs of the local communities.
In addition, legume food crops are planted between the cane rows during the first three months of cane growth each year, to take advantage of existing irrigation and enhance soil quality.
EcoFarm provides legume seed and technical advice to help farmers grow lentils, sugar beans, cow peas, etc.
The legumes provide high-protein food crops, as well as a source of soil nutrition when plant residuals are left in the field after harvesting, reducing fertilization needs for the sugar cane.
Crops produced benefit co-operative family diets directly, and also provide additional income when farmers sell beans in the local market.
Cooperative Membership
533 households are members of the two existing cooperatives. They are represented by either the head of the household or another person in the household
- The participation rate of women is particularly relevant. While less than the natural target of 50%, initial opposition to female membership has been decisively overcome.
- In total, some 4,000 persons in member households are direct beneficiaries.
- A third Co-operative – Canhimbe - with 350 members is in the process of being established.
| Existing Co-operatives | Total members | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
Chapo Co-Operative | 367 | 237 | 130 |
Lambane Co-Operative | 166 | 121 | 45 |
Total | 533 | 358 | 175 |