Malawian Widow Finds Success in Sustainable Chicken Farming
Kumwenda's journey underscores the transformative power of sustainable development, empowering women and communities to thrive amidst adversity.
MZIMBA, Malawi — In the rural village of Chibalazi, Jessie Kumwenda, a widow, has defied doubts and embraced sustainable chicken farming, transforming her life and empowering her community, writes Francis Botha.
What began as skepticism surrounding a chicken project initiated by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and DanChurchAid (DCA) Malawi Joint Country Programme in partnership with SPRODETA has evolved into a remarkable success story.
"I never regarded local chickens as a business. But today I have over 80 chickens, and since I got the first ones, I have sold more than 200, which among other things have helped pay my youngest son's school expenses," Kumwenda said.
From a modest flock of 10 chickens in 2018, Kumwenda's enterprise has flourished, providing not only sustenance but also economic stability for her family. Her commitment to sustainability extends beyond mere profit, embracing practices that maximize resources and minimize waste.
"I also benefit a lot from manure from chickens. I make my own mbeya fertilizers for my garden, beating skyrocketing fertilizer prices. I don't complain about higher fertilizer prices," she added.
During the last harvest season, Kumwenda harvested about 4 tons of maize from her organically fertilized garden, and she expects a similar yield this season, capitalizing on the profitable market created by the hunger situation in the country.
Albert Mtonga, Programme Officer for SPRODETA, emphasized the importance of structured project management and capacity-building initiatives in ensuring long-term sustainability.
"We also linked the chicken beneficiaries to the government extension workers such as Veterinary Officers who constantly visit the chicken beneficiaries and provide technical assistance on how they can take care of their chickens. That also includes the presence of a drug revolving fund within the community necessary to treat the chickens," Mtonga said.
The sustainability of the chicken project lies in the overall management, including vaccinating the chickens against diseases such as Newcastle, locally called "chigodola" or "chitopa."
Kumwenda's journey underscores the transformative power of sustainable development, empowering women and communities to thrive amidst adversity.
Her dream extends beyond her farm, envisioning a future where sustainable farming practices uplift her entire community, fostering women's empowerment, resilience, hope, and prosperity for all.