Emerging Farmers Initiative (EFI)

Holistic empowerment combining education and eco-friendly integrated farming
2021 SEED Climate Adaptation Awards; Government of Flanders
Sustainable Agriculture
Mazabuka
Zambia

The Emerging Farmer's Initiative (EFI) is a Project under the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit. It is located in a village in Magoye, Mazabuka. The Project imparts 'hands-on-experience in eco-friendly integrated farming, and skills in entrepreneurship, to young school-drop-outs and school going pupils.

The model works for all stakeholders in the value chain, from customers who are the well-off who have a preference for organically grown products, community members and super markets and vegetable traders. Its revenue streams come from the sale of its products both at wholesale and retail levels.

Eco-inclusive Impacts
EFI teaches and demonstrates integrated, climate-smart agricultural practices to improve soil conditions and yields through effective resource use, resulting in an enhanced productivity of local farming endeavours highly impacted by climate change.
  • Training local school drop outs in eco-friendly agriculture: one cohort of 15 youths every 6 months, using the enterprise premises as a demonstration and practicum site.

 

  • Elimination of 1,250Kg of harmful chemicals from the soil per year
  • Water Conservation: install drip irrigation systems to save at least 1000L of water per day. Additionally, water savings within farm practices.
  • Use of solar energy for water pumps
  • Creation of employment to the young people, both male and female; hence impacting 3 families of 6 each
  • Increased income among the local people who have been hired for work during the construction times
  • Improved nutrition of farm products

Partners

Established in 2019, The Emerging Farmer's Initiative (EFI) offers an affordable holistic empowering ride out of poverty to youths and young families at risk. It combines academic education, teaches eco-friendly integrated farming skills and entrepreneurship literacy to local youth and established farmers. The Enterprise also offers a continuous supply of local eco-friendly and healthy farm products.

VITALITE Zambia supplies solar equipment to the site, where other farmers come to visit, while the EFI creates a link with the partner to the local community.

 

SIMDACH Poultry Farms supports EFI with supply of chicks, feeds, medication, consultation and distribution of our products.