Pig Pass-On Initiative Transforms Lives in Mchinji
The initiative's positive impact on the community is a testament to the transformative power of such projects in empowering women and enhancing local livelihoods.
Mchinji, Malawi - The Pig Pass-On initiative, launched in 2022 and implemented by the Concerned Youth Organization (CYO), has brought about a significant economic transformation in the lives of people in Traditional Authorities Zulu and Mduwa in Mchinji, writes Gerald Fanuel.
The project, funded by the Commonwealth of Learning from Canada, is aimed at improving the well-being of women in these communities by enhancing their capabilities through training and income-generating activities.
For years, women in these areas struggled to establish their economic independence, often relying on others for their livelihoods. The Pig Pass-On program has changed the landscape and empowered these women.
Olivetta Patrick Chioko from Mikonga 1 village in T/A Zulu expressed her delight in the initiative, saying, "In the past, I had nothing to rely upon for a living. But now I have pigs which I can sell and help me financially. I also use their manure for farming as well as selling it to others."
Bester Gideon, also from the same village, proudly sustains herself financially through pig farming. She explained, "I am able to help my family with basic needs because I have some money after selling some of the pigs and piglets. Additionally, we can produce more from farming because we were trained in using manure to improve soil nutrition and practicing modern smart agriculture."
She added, "Many NGOs like CYO, which target women, are transforming the lives of young women who had no prospects, but now they have something they can call their own. This empowerment is benefiting many women in the villages."
Emmanuel Zulu, another beneficiary of the initiative, noted that pig farming is a lucrative business, providing substantial returns soon after the pigs give birth to piglets. He uses the income to pay school fees and meet other household needs.
Mchinji District Programs Officer for CYO, Aubrey Chidziwitsano, expressed his satisfaction with the short-term impact of the initiative. He explained that their long-term goal is to build the capacity of women, helping them generate income for themselves without relying on others and contributing to community development.
Village Head Khombe Chambudzu, also known as Gideon Zulu, lauded the initiative, emphasizing the link between health, happiness, and community development.
According to Chidziwitsano, the initiative reached three groups, each with 30 members, in T/A Zulu and T/A Mduwa. While they initially planned to provide each group with five piglets, financial constraints led them to provide three per group. However, all group members received their share, and the pigs have already produced offspring twice.
In addition to financial challenges, sourcing pig feed was also difficult. Members were trained on growing sweet potatoes, which they now use to produce feed for the pigs.
The initiative's positive impact on the community is a testament to the transformative power of such projects in empowering women and enhancing local livelihoods.
This story was made possible with the support of Google News Initiative's News Equity Fund. #GNIChallenge