Pundu and Mphonde Groundnut Farming Project Earlier last year, at Equitas, we set on a path of making a difference to the lives of communities in T/A Chiseka’s area in Mitundu, Lilongwe. We went there, sat down with the communities, and worked together on what interventions would be feasible and sustainable in their context. A number of suggestions were brought up. In a reasoned engagement and negotiation, the community members settled for farming. This was mostly looking at its place within their social-cultural context as well as their historical commitment to the same. A consideration of the crops that could be used in this project led us to groundnuts. Thus, started the Pundu and Mphonde Groundnut Farming Project which is to directly benefit 80 community members. 70% of the beneficiaries are women and the youth. This project started on 27th of October 2021 on over 50 acres of land. The communities started harvesting during the last week of May,2022.
It is expected that from this harvest, at least 60% of the beneficiaries will have generated income (for their daily livelihoods); empowered into commercial oriented farmers; and 100% of the project’s club members empowered with financial literacy (to spend and save for rainy days) and business management skills.
Trainings were also facilitated by Daud Suleman from Agricultural Exchange Commodity(ACE). The beneficiaries received training; management of pests and diseases, controlling of weeds in the field, aflatoxin control, timely harvesting and storage, as well as aggregation and collective marketing.
Grateful to the team at Equitas (particularly Simba and Stella), Novo Habitus Consulting Limited for funding the project, and to the communities for owning the project fully!
