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Building Community Capacity to Provide Services
In Malawi, as one way of accelerating the adoption of improved latrines, CPAR
arranged for 15 masons (6 women and 9 men) to receive training so they
could learn practical skills and also theoretical training so they would have the
knowledge to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each latrine type
and be able to make recommendations to householders.
The practical training included demonstrations for constructing composting
latrines, how to construct brick linings for latrines, how to cast dome slabs and
drop hole covers and how to build hand washing facilities. A domed concrete
slab can be quickly, economically and simply cast on site using minimal
quantities of cement and no steel reinforcement. Pit latrines with domed slabs
are a hygienic way to dispose of human waste. The air tight drophole cover
keeps odours in and flies away.
This picture was taken during training
how to construct a dome slab with a
drop hole cover.
SPRING 2015
SEMI-ANNUAL
MONTHLY DONOR REPORT
Partners in African Livelihoods (PAL)
Building Healthy Communities in Africa
CPAR targeted a disadvantaged
household that did not have a proper
latrine for one practical demonstration.
Now 60 year old Doroth Ntanga and
her household have a lined latrine
with a dome slab construction for
their use.
Learning Emergency Vet Services In Tanzania
To ensure the sustainability and longevity of poultry and goat project activities,
24 farmer field school members (19 female) took part in training as facilitators
and emergency veterinary service providers. The aim was to have in place
a number of community members who are capable of providing primary
veterinary services for goats and chickens. The newly trained farmers work in
support of village, ward and district livestock officers, and they visit livestock
owners door- to-door on a bi-monthly basis to check in on the health of chickens
Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR)
www.cpar.ca
As a partner in African Livelihoods (PAL),
you make a difference every day.
Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief
1425 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario, M6P 3L6
Charitable Registration # 11883 5230 RR0001
www.cpar.ca
UPDATES FROM THE FIELD-SPRING 2015
Working as a Group to Learn Poultry Management
In Tanzania, 16 farmer field school groups (384 farmers including 280 women) took
part in training on poultry production and management and were supported with
328 local chickens and 32 improved roosters. The chickens are being reared and
managed at group level. Each group has constructed a chicken coup near to their
demonstration plot where chicks are hatched and eggs are collected for sale to
group members who can hatch the eggs or use them for household consumption.
These sites are serving as learning centres where group members gain experience
caring for chickens so they can apply what they have learned at the household
level. The collection and sale of eggs, as well as the management of the chickens,
are equally shared by group members and the money from egg sales is invested in
a group savings account to pay for operational costs associated with the poultry
project (feed, coup repairs, veterinary expenses, etc.).
haricot-bean. The seed producing farmers also benefitted from in-field supervision
provided by researchers.
As a result of the poultry project, an additional 50 Farmer Field School members
have started raising chickens at home and are applying more regimented poultry
management. Farmers are now allowing chickens free range within a certain area
during the day but are keeping them inside during the night, which has significantly
reduced the loss of both chickens and eggs.
From her first attempt at seed multiplication, farmer Elbind produced 200kg of
certified seeds starting with just 3.5 kg of starter seeds. She saved some seeds for
her own use and sold the rest for $386. Elbind said: “I had no idea seed multiplication
could bring such remarkable earning and now I am gaining recognition for my quality
seeds.“
Availability of High Quality Seeds Leads to Higher Crop Production Levels
In the Dibate area of Ethiopia, vegetable production was not common. Intensive
vegetable production training was conducted to introduce vegetables as a source of
nutrition and income. Two farmer field school groups tested the new practices in
order to observe the growing capacity of vegetables on land close to their homes.
After a hugely successful first growing season, group participants were motivated to
expand production. In addition to horticulture training, an important aspect of the
training was natural resource management to help farmers overcome the effects
of past poor soil management, soil erosion and water run-off. The introduction of
new crops such as haricot beans, soya bean, and vegetables like beetroot, cabbage,
carrot, sweet potato, and cassava, as well as fruits (papaya and mango) has enabled
farmers to diversify crop production, and become more confident growing these
previously unknown varieties.
Introducing Labour Saving Technology
Simple new technology can make an enormous difference to the time – especially
for women – required to prepare crops for storage or for market. In recognition of
this, in Ethiopia groundnut shellers were introduced and adopted by 16 farmers (10
women) and training was provided on their use. Using the sheller, an individual can
hull 800kg of groundnuts per day versus 50kg per day by hand. This has significantly
reduced the labour requirement of farmers and crop losses caused by traditional
methods. Free shelling service is rendered for Farmer Field School group members
as agreed to in the groups’ bylaws. Impressed by the efficiency of the technology,
neigbouring non-Farmer Field School farmers have been purchasing shelling services
from Farmer Field School members and the majority of the farmers in the village are
planning to purchase their own shellers. The picture below (right) shows a farmer
taking part in training on how to use a groundnut sheller.
Good quality seeds are in high demand in Dibate District and they are not always
available. In order to initiate certified seed multiplication among Farmer Field
School members, CPAR offered 14 farmers (including 8 women) certified seed
production training in collaboration with the Pawe Agricultural Research Centre.
The techniques the farmers learned included the appropriate isolation distance
from other seed types, crop protection, harvesting and cleaning. The trainees were
supported with high quality starter crop seeds such as finger millet, sesame and
Samples from each seed producer were collected and sent for germination and
purity tests at the Pawe Centre. The seeds were approved and certified and the
farmers can now sell their seeds as certified improved seeds that meet government
standards. This increases farmers’ earnings, and also makes certified seeds more
widely available to meet the increasing demands of farmers in the area looking
to grow improved seed varieties and new crops. The certified seeds are typically
more resistant to drought and the challenging environmental pressures experienced
by smallholder farmers. As well, by working with local farmers to address seed
shortages, long-term sustainability issues are addressed by ensuring farmers can
access improved seeds after the close of the project