INTRODUCTION
Self Help Africa’s Kalembo rural development programme seeks to increase food production and economic opportunity for over 9,000 rural households in the Balaka region of Southern Malawi.
LOCATION
Kalembo Food Security and Rural Development Project is located in the traditional authority area of Kalembo, which is in the northern part of Balaka District, in Southern Malawi. The district lies in the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley and has a varied topography ranging from an elevation of about 350-800 meters above sea level.
ECONOMY
The economy of Malawi is predominantly agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture represents 112% of GDP, accounts for over 80% of the workforce, and represents about 80% of all exports. The country also generates significant revenues from the production and export of tobacco.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
To contribute towards reduction of poverty through improvement of rural household food and livelihood security among 9,100 households in Kalembo district.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Local seed growers are being supported to produce and distribute high quality certified seed varieties to 8,000 households, more than 500 households are being supported with horticultural production, while others are being supported with the commercial production of legumes and other drought tolerant crops.
600 farm families are being assisted to increase livestock production, farmers organisations and associations are being assisted so that they can enable rural farm households to access markets for their produce, while 4,000 families are being supported with the production and sale of value added agro-based produce.
Natural resource management activities are also underway across the project area.
Activities to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, to support those living with HIV, and to educate young people and those at risk, are ongoing, improved drinking water resources are being provided, while 47 local development committees and agencies are being supported. |
