Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Concern Worldwide

Contractor:
Concern Worldwide

Project Code: 063-680-027	Start Date: 01/04/1992	End Date: 31/03/1997
Commitment: £154,220	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
This project is a continuation of the horticultural component of Malangali Land Use and Education Programme. Over the last 4 years Concern assisted nurseries have produced 15,000 seedlings which have been purchased by the local community. This demonstrates that there is a genuine interest in growing fruit. All 20 primary schools have already established small horticulture units, with the aim of demonstrating practical horticulture techniques. A number of farmers have also started home gardens. The previous project has been enthusiastically received by the district agricultural and education offices and the beneficiaries. The proposal has been discussed at Ward and Divisional level and meets with the approval of local government leaders in the area. This current proposal aims to build on these significant achievements, to continue to assist schools, and to target the poorest farmers in the area in order to make vegetables available to the most needy.

Project Objectives:
The wider objectives of the project are: To increase the production of fruit and vegetable in the villages among the targetted families, especially during the dry season, and thus improving the nutritional status of the diet To increase the knowledge of horticulture husbandry techniques among school pupils, and thus ensuring sustainable horticulture production in the longer term. The immediate objectives are: Establishment of small kitchen gardens by members of the target group To improve the knowledge of practical horticultural techniques among school pupils To encourage the continuation of school horticulture units and assist in curriculum development The planting of fruit trees around houses.

Intended Outputs:
230 small kitchen gardens annually. These gardens meet the vegetable requirements of the family. Water conservation techniques are emphasized, as is the use of household waste water. Three communal womens' vegetable plots are also assisted. 23 school horticulture units, including vegetables and small orchards. Trained farmers. All contact farmers receive training 'in-field'. Twelve farmers annually participate in a four week residential course at a local horticulture institute, and thus a core of well trained farmers will be in place in project villages. Trained teachers. One teacher per school and four education ward secretaries receive short seminars in the project area. A well motivated, effective extension team. Project supervisors receive management training. Extension and nursery workers attend a one week field study tour combined with a visit to the leading horticulture college in the country. Their effectiveness is increased by the supply of transport and other essential inputs. 59,000 fruit tree seedlings. (16,000, 20,000 and 23,000 in years 1-3 respectively). These are produced at 2 nurseries, Mwilavila and Nyololo. Seedlings grown will include pawpaw, citrus tamarind, passion fruit, mango, tree tomato, plum, peach, apple, pear loquat. Other species may be introduced depending on suitability and demand. In all cases the relative number of each species produced depends on the expressed demand of the target group.