| ID: | 86962 |
|---|---|
| Country: | Zambia |
| Title: | Zambia - Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) - April 2024 |
| Description: |
Faless, a Zambian woman with unwavering determination, has come a long way from selling fish in Lusaka to being a successful farmer. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of the IFAD supported programme - Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) in Zambia. Life as a fishmonger wasn't easy and the income was meagre. When her children suggested farming, she took their advice and relocated to Shimwengwe village to try and farm. However, her initial venture on pig rearing wasn't profitable as there was no local market for her pigs, forcing her to sell them and switch to crops. Due to the erratic and low rainfall in the area, her crop farming still challenges. With the support of E-SLIP in 2019, Faless and other farmers were able to get a way out. E-SLIP supported farmers to access dairy cows from the Agricultural Productivity and Market Enhancement Project (APMEP), provided them with drought-resistant forage seeds which she planted, trained them on good agronomic practices and feed formulation to ensure efficient use of the forage for their livestock. The recent drought highlighted the importance of resilience. Like many farmers in the area, Faless’ maize crop was destroyed, luckily she had livestock to fall back on. From the forage she planted, she has been able to feed her cows during this current drought. Her cow gives her 10 litres per day, which she sells locally as fresh and sour milk. However, her sales are not much due to the low purchasing power in the community. But with the income she has earned so far, she has been able to purchase a cock and two hens which have multiplied to 20 chicken and improved her diet as she is able to purchase additional protein-rich foods like fish and chicken. For Faless, E-SLIP is more than just a program; it's a lifeline. “I don’t have to ask any of my children for money; I don’t have to beg anyone for money, ESLIP feeds me and for this I am forever grateful!” Her ambition is to increase the number of cows she is rearing and milk production so that she can transport it and sell in the nearby town 10 kilometres away to fetch her more money. Her story is a beacon of hope, inspiring others to embrace sustainable farming practices and overcome adversity. |
| Size: | 27.88 MB; 8192 x 5464 pixels; 694 x 463 mm (print at 300 DPI); 2167 x 1446 mm (screen at 96 DPI); |
| Show more details: | Enoch Kavindele Jr |
| Copyright: | ©IFAD/Enoch Kavindele Jr |
| Categories: | New from East and Southern Africa |
| URL: | www.ifad.org |
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