With the support of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and the Behavior Change Campaign (BCC), female farmers have quickly taken to composting as a way to create more plentiful crop yields. Compost is an all-natural, non-toxic solution that contributes to enriching the soil and is readily available from items such as food scraps, egg shells, even bits of bones.
Female farmers have quickly taken to the composting technology, and according to the BCC, recent findings show women recorded a higher adoption rate on the compost technology compared to male farmers. Composting agriculture has made it possible for farmers and their families to have plentiful, nutritious food on their table and some have enough surplus to provide other family needs, such as schooling.
One such farmer is Lucy Elias Fidos. Lucy is married with 10 children. A lead farmer with five acres of farmland, she applies compost in crops such as beans, groundnut, tomatoes and maize. As a lead farmer, she coordinates training (10 participants at a time) in a demonstration plot. She regularly visits their farms to determine their progress, provide technical advice and report updates to an extension officer in the village. Lucy is also a vice-chairperson for the Isubangala village government, where she convenes village meetings to sensitize other farmers to embark on the compost technology and engage in tree-planting campaigns.
Before the JGI intervention, Lucy said she knew nothing about composting or soil science basics. She sadly recalled her involvement in establishing an eight-acre farm in a forest without knowing it would affect rainfall patterns, chimpanzees and other animals. “All I knew was that distant farming was a solution to soil infertility,” Lucy commented. “JGI training on the composting technology and environmental conservation was a turning point of my life.” Lucy added, “With the compost technology, I can adequately provide food for my family and cover education expenses for all my children.”
Another female farmer is Oristina Augustine Moses, who is married with 11 children in the Mishamo Settlement at Isubangala village. She is a compost farmer cultivating maize, beans, cassava, groundnut and yams on five acres. She discovered JGI in 2020 when she was invited to attend training on environmental conservation. Oristina never misses the BCC Radio Programs to acquire more composting knowledge and testimonies, then she sensitizes more farmers in the village to adopt the technology and campaign against shifting cultivation.
Luckily, Oristina’s demonstration farm is located at a strategic position that offers an opportunity for interested farmers to learn and acquire the compost technology. So far, she has made 22 compost piles and is determined to make more in 2022.
Two of the youngest female compost farmers are both from Sunuka Village in Kigoma Region. Idda Joel, who is 30 years old and has three children, had lost hope in farming before the JGI intervention. Idda explained, “Farming was rather expensive and undesirable.” For example, in a two-acre farm, she could barely harvest two bags of maize. Idda noted, “There was not sufficient food for my family.”
Upon attending JGI training in 2020 on environmental conservation, including best agronomic practices, compost making and application, Idda changed her mind about farming. “I realized farming was a profitable venture,” and she added, “The composting technology is the real deal.”
Idda’s New Year’s resolution is to mobilize more villagers to participate in tree planting and the compost application campaign. “I believe this will create a lasting impact on the environmental conservation in our surroundings,” Idda declared.
At the age of 22, Naomi Gedeon is the youngest farmer to adopt the compost technology last year. She grows groundnut, maize and beans on an acre of land. Her farm is not located in a riverine forest.
Before Naomi discovered JGI, she had no prior experience with composting. She used expensive commercial fertilizer but still suffered a poor harvest. “Now, I know about chimpanzees’ welfare and forest benefits to our survival,” Naomi explained. She added, “Environmental conservation promotes chimpanzees’ habitat, genetic and population growth, which is important for the present and future generations.”
Apart from participating in the BCC recorded radio progams, Naomi trains neighboring farmers on composting technology, particularly compost making and application. She also trained her fellow church choir members from Rulinga village on compost technology. “Let’s work together to make sustainable farming a reality,” she concluded
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