Mulching Reduces Dependency

One of the most exciting moments in working with farmers is seeing individuals take skills they have been taught in AWP trainings and modify and improve them to suit their specific situations.

Haiford Dakashoni, a farmer from Chigonthi EPA, has discovered he can get extra benefits from mulching by using dried maize stocks.

Those of us living in wet climates like Florida may think of primarily as a tool for reducing weed growth or moderating soil temperature on hot days. However, one of the most important uses of mulch is to conserve water. A layer of mulch acts as an insulating blanket that reduces evaporation and slows run-off, reducing water usage by 5 to10%.

Farmers in Hairford's area were mostly not familiar with the benefits of mulch until AWP training.  Many types of organic matter work for mulch, such as leaves, straw, pine needs, or bark. Most of the farmers in Haiford’s area use dry grass for mulching. However, Haiford realized that grass decomposes quickly and he found it hard to spread. So, in 2019 he started using dry maize stock. It takes some initial work to collect the stock from the fields and cut it up, but the maize decomposes slowly and not only keeps the soil moist but provides nutrition for his crops.  Many of his neighbors tend to burn the maize stocks in the fields after harvesting, and some use them for fencing. That makes maize stocks scarce, but Haiford says finding them is worth the time. The stocks are free, and they work so well that from 2020 onward he never had to spend money on fertilizer. Africa Windmill Project provides resources and knowledge to farmers like Haiford, who also has a windmill through AWP.

“I am grateful for the trainings that AWP has been providing. They have actually opened my eyes.”

With your giving, combined with farmers’ initiative, it is possible for farmers to transform their livelihoods.