Lead Farmer hailed as Nation Achiever

“Because I’m from the community, I’m better understood”

Experience has taught us that farmers are often reluctant to adopt new techniques taught by outside technical experts who may only visit the community from time to time.

We have therefore developed an innovative programme in Malawi to train farmers within the community to act as lead farmers.

When FYF team member Catriona Fox visited Malawi a few years ago she met Eston Mazolo. Eston, who had been chosen along with 30 others to act as a lead farmer in his community, shared his excitement about his role.

“Because I’m from the community, I’m better understood. They see me adopting the new farming practices on my own land and they see the good results. So they are happy to learn the new techniques.”

A Nation Achiever!

“He’s from our community. He shares the same problems and experiences and so we trust him. We learn better from a fellow farmer.” Bright Kumwenda, one of Eston’s follower farmers

Each lead farmer is trained in sustainable farming practices including composting, crop diversification and water conservation, and learns communication skills so they can pass on their training to their follower farmers.

Over the past couple of years Eston has worked hard to pass on his learning to 84 follower farmers and has even developed his own innovative farming techniques – such as a certain type of pellet manure and using new methods to safely store maize.

We were therefore delighted to hear that he had been chosen by a national Malawian newspaper as the North Region’s Nation Achiever, an award given to individuals who have made a remarkable contribution to their community.

Looking forwards

Eston is now competing in a nationwide vote against the regional winner from the Central and South of the country. Watch this space to see how he gets on!

There are currently 114 lead farmers in the Rumphi programme. As a result of their hard work over 5,500 farmers are benefitting from improved harvests. By 2011 we aim to expand the Rumphi programme to reach 12,000 farmers.

£150 could train a member of a Malawian community to act as a lead farmer in their community, enabling them to teach fellow farmers sustainable farming techniques that will improve their harvests. Donate now!

Want to read more about lead farmers? Read Mr and Mrs Nyrienda’s story