REPORT OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2013
INTRODUCTION
Zikomo projects are located in Traditional Authority Malemia in Zomba District and Kawinga Traditional Authority in Machinga District. This report covers the activities planned and the achievements made during this period in these two project areas.
OVERALL GOAL
The overall goal is to improve the living standard of farm families of these two project areas by 2015
PURPOSE
The project therefore has a purpose of improving household and nursery school food security through increased agriculture production and productivity along with the conservation and restoration of natural resource base.
OBJECTIVES
Increase and diversify crop production and productivity. ÿ Improve access to agricultural inputs. ÿ Promote development of co-operative and Rural Youth in the working areas. ÿ Promote livestock production /productivity. ÿ Promote Gender Mainstreaming into program activities. ÿ Enhance literacy and numerical capability of adult illiterates. ÿ Reduce population growth rate and HIV/AIDS incidences. ÿ Strengthen the capacity of local institutions, beneficiaries and staff.
This report highlights the progress achieved against plans, issues and challenges encountered during the implementation of the project activities in these two project areas during this period of January and February 2013, the report also come up with recommendations to achieve the best results in the future.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is a summary of the project activities made during the period of January and February 2013 in these two project areas.
1. CROP PRODUCTION (A) MAIZE CROP
On this program, the project planned to carry out the following activities on this program in both project areas, applying fertilizers, weeding and banking and monitor crop performance. So far all these planned activities were done as planned. As Malawi has blessed with good rains (though heavy), there is a lot of crops in all the centers this year, and all the centers will have enough food for the children.(B) SWEET POTATOS
Due to heavy rains we are receiving, two centers have planted sweet potato plants in their areas to support the Nursery school feeding program in these areas of Nsadi and Matande. The crop is growing very well in all the centers.
2. WOMEN PROGRAMM /CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER IGAs
On this program, the project planned to monitor the repayment of loan from the club members, monitor collection from other IGAs taking place at Matande center. So far all these planned activities on this program were done as planned. On loan collection, a total of k44,500.00 was collected during the period.
3. LIVESTOCK PROGRAM
On this program, the project planned to monitor livestock performance in both project areas of Zomba and Machinga Districts (Matande and Kawinga projects). So far all these planned activities were done as planned. At Matande, a total of 7 (6m,1f)goats kids were kidded, at Nsadi , 1 female goat kid was kidded, at Nakutepa 2kids (1m,1f) were also kidded, at Likwanya a total of 13 kids (5m,8f) were also kidded during the period hence a total of 23 kids were kidded in the project areas during this period of January and February 2013.
4. BEE KEEPING PROGRAM
On this program, the project planned to monitor beehives performance at Nsadi center. So far the center was visited and all the beehives were monitored as planned. Due to heavy rains some of the beehives are leaking that made the bees to leave the beehives, hence 3 beehives out of 17 are not colonized with bees.
5. ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM
On this program, the project planned to monitor the performance of the classes in all the centers that are practicing this program and to encourage all the learners to be committed. In all the centers only few learners are coming for classes as most of them are busy with garden work.
6. TAILORING PROGRAM
On this program, the project was busy looking for an instructor for the program. So far two were identified but they were not satisfied with our package, so we are still looking for someone who can accept our package.
7. POTABLE WATER PROGRAM
On this program, the project planned to monitor the shallow wells of Matande and Nakutepa centers. So far all these shallow wells were visited and are working even though Nakutepa shallow well is seasonal
(working only during rain season), hence the project is planning to give them another shallow well through Maria of ST Andrews just after rain season.
8. ORPHAN & VULNERABLE CHILDREN CARE CENTERS /NURSERY SCHOOLS
On this program, the project planned to monitor class performance in all the centers, procure sugar for all the centers and to procure charcoal and Groundnuts for Matande center. So far all these planned activities on this program were done as planned. A total of 3 bales of sugar were procured and distributed to all the centers, Charcoal and groundnuts were also procured for Matande center. On performance of the classes, all the classes are performing very well. Nakutepa, Nsadi and Likwanya are asking for big cooking pots as the number of children coming for classes is increasing every time.
9. YOUTH PROGRAM
On this program, the project planned to procure 20kgs salt, 1 carton of soap,5 units of matches ready to visit Group Village Headman Choppi to let him know that Zikomo CBO has a new group that will perform its duties in that catchment area in collaboration with Choppi hospital. So far the program was done as was planned. This group of 31 people is the one that was trained by Dr. Macjessie on HIV Program visited Choppi center where a lot of people from various villages attended the function.
10. FISH FARMING PROGRAM
On this program, the project planned to construct a fence blocking the diversion on a river that provides water into our ponds due to heavy rains that we are receiving, and to procure fingerings. So far only construction of the fence was done and we are ready to procure and install them into our ponds very soon.
11. DONATION OF BICYCLE AMBULANCE
During the period, the project also received a donation of bicycle ambulance from Kevin, a friend of Maria from St Andrews in Blantyre. This bicycle was distributed to Nsadi center in order to minimize the problem of transport at the center.
DETAILED REPORT
1) CROP PRODUCTION PROGRAM
This is to ensure an increase and diversification of crop production and productivity in all the projects areas.
(A) MAIZE PRODUCTION
On this program, the project planned to monitor weeding, banking and applying fertilizes in all the maize fields in all the projects. So far all these planned activities were done as planned. All the centers were visited and the crop stand is quite good in all the centers that give us a hope that we will have enough maize for food this year. See the pictures of each center on this program bellow;
(B) SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION
On this program, the project planned to practice sweet potato production at Matande and Nsadi centers to support Nursery school feeding program in these centers. This is due to heavy rain that we are receiving in these areas. See the pictures of the program in these centers;
2) WOMEN PROGRAMME/ CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER IGAs
This is to promote development of producers marketing, savings and credit co-operative in order to empower rural communities socially and economically by providing them with support to actively participating in development activities and to start up small scale business.
During the period, the project planned to monitor the repayment of loan from the beneficiaries, monitor collections from other IGAs that are taking place at Matande center. So far all these planned activities were done as planned. On loan collection, a total of k44,500.00 was collected.
COMMENTS
This program has faced with a problem of hanger this time around in the area, hence most of the beneficiaries are paying less than what was agreed to.
Default of some members to pay the loan remains a challenge.eg. Mr. Mabvuto Mangani (the village headman).
3) LIVESTOCK PROGRAM
This is to ensure improved household protein intake and providing alternative source of income by facilitating access to small ruminants
