Mrs Matola stands
proudly in her cassava
field
Emmanuel International (EI)
Mrs. Matola lives in Mitusi Village in Traditional Authority area of Liwonde. When EI first
started a community-owned seed multiplication project in her area last year, Mrs. Matola was
one of the first people to sign up and is now the chairwoman of the group. The group began
with 20 people, but their number dropped to a mere 10 when group members realized that no
handouts would accompany this project and there would be no immediate results. Many are
now coming back to the project, as they have seen the success of this seed multiplication
project.
The first field was a group endeavour and the income generated from the field has been
saved to start up a village savings and loans club, at the suggestion of the group itself. There
were also enough cassava cuttings for each person to start their own field, as done by Mrs.
Matola. Her cuttings have already begun to grow, and she plans to expand into nearby land
on which she has previously only grown maize. Her maize has not done well this year, due to
irregular rains and flooding, and because she has participated in food processing workshops
that accompany seed multiplication projects, she has recognised the value of cassava and
sweet potatoes in order to ensure her family’s food security for the forthcoming year.
Mrs. Matola explained to EI staff that her family have also come to enjoy the taste of Nsima
made from cassava (rather than just maize) and whilst much of the cassava and sweet potato
that is grown in her field is for the consumption of her family, she also manages to sell some
to acquire basic household items, thereby increasing the number and value of her assets.
Whilst attitude change towards the introduction of new foods into the local diet has been a
success, the biggest success in this particular village has been the returning to the project of
those who initially left. This experience illustrated to EI staff that whilst they can be present in
the village, teach new techniques, and encourage their use, the most successful method of
teaching of all is the simple demonstration of success by other villagers.