Greening the Nation
MCO has recently
launched its “Greening the Nation”
program in Mozambique which is
aimed at introducing modern horticultural
practices to the rural areas.
At the core of this programme
is the simple greenhouse structure
designed for local conditions
by the MCO horticultural department
and headed by specialist, Peter
Mackintosh. The greenhouse consists
of a wooden structure 8 metres
high, 15 metres long, a plastic
sheet roof and enclosed in shade
cloth. This gives a total area
under protection of 120 m2.
These simple
greenhouses are a sustainable
method for local peoples to increase
their capacity for providing their
own food by producing fresh and
organically grown fruits and vegetables
as well as open up new avenues
for local peoples to earn a new
source of income by selling their
products. Crops are grown hydroponically
in containers filled with locally
sourced coconut fibre which is
an excellent cheap growing medium.
A total of
350 plants are grown in a greenhouse
giving between 1000kg and 3000kg
of produce every four months (depending
on the crop grown and climatic
conditions at the time). The main
crops grown are tomatoes, peppers,
melons and cucumbers. Container
grown seedlings are also distributed
to local farmers for increased
crop production. This process
enables better varieties of seed
to be introduced to the farmers.
In certain
areas tree seedlings are distributed
to re-establish denuded indigenous
flora. In coastal areas grass
and other seedlings are distributed
to repair damage to sand dunes
which have been denuded of vegetation.
This process is will also be used
to establish nurseries with the
objective of growing mangrove
seedlings and re-establish damaged
mangrove swamp which have been
over utilized by local populations
as a source of fuel. The greenhouse
can hold a total of 236 polystyrene
seedling trays giving a capacity
of 70,000 seedlings. |
|
The first
greenhouses have been installed
in a “green zone” just outside
Maputo, the Capital of Mozambique.
A total of 13 greenhouses have
been installed with assistance
of funding from the International
Trade centre (ITC) and a local
farmer’s co-operative called the
Cooperative Uniao Geral (UGC).
The first farmers to receive greenhouses
are now growing crops for sale
into local markets and are financially
self sustaining, requiring only
some ongoing technical support.
A farmer who produces seedlings
in her greenhouse sells her seedlings
for a dune rehabilitation program
where some 300,000 grass seedlings
have been ordered from the farmer.
The project
has now also been extended to
Inhambane where a Dutch agency,
SNV, has assisted a local vegetable
farmer to set up a greenhouse
for tomato production.
MCO is now
planning to extend the project
to Niassa to be utilized side
by side in our Niassa Conservation
and Education Initiative. This
“green” method of farming has
a smaller footprint than traditional
farming and compliments our initiatives
in conservation. Local farmers
will be assisted with greenhouses
and training to further the sustainability
of our goals for socio-economic
development.
How can
you help?
After successful
transitioning of this project
in Niassa, as well as ensuring
that the existing program of technical
support for greenhouses is maintained,
MCO plans to utilize these greenhouses
throughout Mozambique. The cost
of one greenhouse is $7500 which
pays for the structure itself,
as well as training and a starter
pack of seed, fertilizer, and
other inputs necessary for the
production of the farmer’s first
crop. Thereafter, the farmer will
be financially self sufficient
requiring only our ongoing technical
support. |
|
