Farmers invest in horticulture

Each member of the group cultivates his own plot of vegetables (Salesianos Moatize 2011)

In contrast to the heavy investments of the mining companies in Moatize, the level of social-economic development in the communities is low. The vulnerability of families, who do not have the means to generate an sufficient income, serves as an indicator for this. The program of Moatize is promoting the productivity of horticulture in order to better the diet and the income of underprivileged families.

The selected farmers are organized in groups, ranging from 15-30 persons, for the production process. To grant orientation two “contact-farmers” will receive trainings and workshops at different stages of the process.

The instructions and information is distributed by the members of the consent group. Each of them acting on their respective areas on the fields. The irrigation of the fields, through pedal pumps, plays a major role in the success of horticulture productivity. This is complemented by weekly markets in the communities involved. Through the development and combination of these activities, of production and commercialization, an improvement in the diet and well being is registered in the communities.