Harvest

August is the month that villagers bring in their dried and shucked maize (amataba) in sacks,  There it is weighed and transferred into government sacks.

They are then paid by our Agricultural worker, Newton.  Corn is heavily subsidized by the government and the single biggest source of income.  Most villagers don't have bank accounts and budgeting is often difficult to spread over 12 months.  If they sell their whole crop to pay debts, they will later have to buy the maize to feed their family.  Maize is the staple food of Africa and used as a flour, a cereal grain, and a vegetable. Since it lacks the amino acid Tyrosine, it needs to be combined with other foods like cassava to be effective as a protein source.

 Each year I have lived here, the piles of corn have grown, showing that the farmers see the earning potential of this crop.  It is rumored that last year's crop has not yet been sold by the government but the hunger and drought in Somalia and Kenya should be a boon to this year's corn crop.

The most amazing part of farming in Zambia is that the farmers do everything by hand, using a hoe (ulukasu) and a knife. It is no wonder they are so strong--or is it a blessing?

If they had access to better tools, they could expand their farms and increase their yields.  One example would be the introduction of cattle for plowing.  Another example is installing irrigation systems which don't use fuel.  During my service, I wrote a letter of application to the Heifer Foundation for a pair of cattle and the knowledge to take care of them.  I also wrote a grant for 4 hand pumps to irrigate the fields during the dry season.  They were presented to the STAR Circles( HIV effected persons) during my last week in Mpepo.