The aim of this project is to improve nutrition of the communities in the Lago District through better agricultural production and practices.
The project has been in operation for over three years it has assisted over 350 farmers by:
- Improved knowledge
- Improved availability of tools and seeds
- Improved agricultural practice
- Improved production and variety
- Improved markets
This has been achieved by Nadia Bowes, two extension workers, and regular communal teaching sessions.
Lago District (Niassa Province, Mozambique) is genuinely one of the most remote parts of Africa. The population is spread over thousands of square kilometres, with few roads, and no electricity, much of this area remains pristine wilderness. The Manda Wilderness Agricultural Project depends on preserving this paradise.
MWAP's sustainable agriculture now takes place in eight villages of the total fourteen in the project area. Fifty- six vegetable gardens were established in last year's dry season after beneficiaries received training in understanding the importance of soil conservation, natural pest control, plant care, improved irrigation methods and sustainable methods of farming.
The harvest has produced a large variety of vegetables, and improved nutrition and income for the villages involved.
In an area where subsistence farming is virtually the only means of survival, MWAP'S objective is to encourage farmers to grow surplus produce to sell to Nkwichi Lodge and other local markets in the area. This has been partially achieved, but individual farms have had problems producing enough of a surplus to meet the increasing demands.
In the past, agricultural and horticultural training in the community has taken place on demonstration garden plots in individual villages. Due to the success of the project, it was decided that the project would establish a demonstration farm to act as an additional teaching tool in training local farmers to build and expand on the knowledge and successes already achieved.
With a very generous donation from The Dawe Charitable Trust, Cambridge, UK, MWAP has funding for a 3-year programme, providing the stability for the project to continue and expand.
The Demonstration farm, complete with overnight accommodation, is being constructed at present. It will enable MWAP's training to become more thorough, diversified and embrace areas such as small scale livestock production, bee keeping, fish farming, processing of fresh produce and local arts and crafts.
The farm will give hands on training to communities who wish to learn more of specific crops and activities without risking their own land, capital or labour (often one of the largest concerns of farmers introducing new production methods).
After two years of training in the area, to be able to demonstrate different methods and improved results is the ideal way of teaching a population that has received little education.
While being a vital, practical tool in training and development in the area, it will, once completed be a commercially sustainable farm that meets market demands in the area. The farm will be sustainable through the sale of fresh, processed produce and locally made crafts to the Lodges in the area.
The farm will produce specialized vegetables (year round) which are not being produced by the local communities under MWAP. Some of the produce grown by the communities will be bought by the farm and processed into jams, sauces, preserves and relishes. These will then be sold to and through the Lodges. The farm will also focus on livestock products such as goats, chickens, guinea fowl, rabbits, ducks and fish. It is intended that the farm becomes a small scale breeding project to assist the communities to expand and improve their production of meats.
The farm will be a centre in training, making and marketing of craft products made from local materials such as candles, soap, paper making, woven crafts and wood carvings. These will be sold to and through the Lodge and in the future, further a field.
The farm is located twenty minutes walk from the Lodge and all visiting guests are welcome to see for themselves the work and progress that's taking place.
The aim of this area is to conserve the natural resources for local utilisation, protect and encourage the wildlife in the area, for tourists to visit and for the Umoji Association to run as a financially viable business attraction. Through the financial assistance of the Swedish Co-operative Centre, MWP was able to undertake a three year programme to consolidate the support from the Provincial Government, set up Umoji Association and to delimitate both the Community areas and the Conservation Area or 120,000 hectares.
In partnership with the Local communities, Manda Wilderness Limited (or Nkwichi Lodge) will open a tented camp on the Rio Messinge for guests to be able to enjoy this remote Wilderness.
Wildlife - in an effort to encourage the return of big game, the communities have agreed to stop the practice of burning the forest a savannah, tree felling, snaring and hunting with dogs.
In a relatively short period, the eco-system has started to recover. Initially the bird life increased with the abundance of insects. Recently the numbers of small mammals are starting to increase and it is hoped that this will encourage the return of the larger mammal species from the Niassa Game Reserve, 150kms to the east.
Before the wars, this was one of the best big game areas in the country and has always been known for its biodiversity. At present hunting is illegal, and the wildlife that was decimated during the civil war is steadily recovering. Species found in the conservation area include buffalo, zebra, elephant, lion, leopard, sable and the rare African wild dog. The bird life is rich and varied. The crystal clear waters of the lake provide spectacular snorkelling and diving. The lake has over 1000 species of brightly coloured tropical fish, some of which have yet to be identified. Marine animals include two species of otter, occasional crocodiles and hippo.
All game viewing is done by foot or by canoe.
