The overall objective of this project is to improve the living standards of 45,292 poor rural people in Masumbankhunda by 2011.

The project began in January 2007 with the following objectives and activities:

• Establishment of Farmers' Clubs and committees

Innovative individuals from the communities are identified and trained in sustainable agriculture techniques. These ‘lead farmers’ in turn demonstrate to fellow small-holder farmers from the surrounding communities. The training topics include horticulture, small scale irrigation, treadle pump use and compost manure making. These techniques reduce production costs and increase yield returns. Seed committees are formed, trained and provided with seed.

• Livestock training and distribution

The project organises livestock management training to enhance the capacity of farmers before they receive animals. The training involves demonstrations of modern pig and goat khola construction. Local goats and boars are then distributed to those who participate in the training. The livestock training improves the breeds of goats, increases the number of livestock, improves the nutritional status of beneficiaries through consumption, and increases household income levels through sales.

• Small scale business development

Womens’ clubs are formed for the cooperative development of small scale businesses. This activity empowers women in the management of small scale businesses that become coping up mechanisms in times of hunger. Participants of Horticulture Clubs are trained to run the clubs as business entities.

• Improved access to water

Village water committees are established which organise shallow well construction. The committees source local materials such as bricks, sand and quarry stone in preparation.

• Improved access to social services and increased awareness of HIV/AIDS and gender issues

The project identifies vulnerable households that are incorporated in the development initiatives. The vulnerable groups that have been incorporated included the chronically ill, widows, and orphans. The project disseminates information about HIV/AIDS through poetry, drama and songs in schools.

Masumbankhunda
There is chronic food insecurity amongst most house holds. This is due to recurrent droughts, dry spells, lack of fertilizers and other valuable agricultural inputs.
The average landholding size is less than 1 hectare per household. This is not enough to produce food to sustain an average household of 5 people for a year.
Livestock production is minimal in the area, mainly due to pests and disease.
Tobacco is the main cash crop in the area. Although the crop is the main export earner in Malawi, small scale farmers find it very difficult to sell at the auction floors. They are usually exploited by middlemen who offer very low prices as compared to production costs.
Small volumes of crop produce hinder the people from accessing viable markets. The quality of the produce does not meet the market demands. Most farmers resort to selling their produce to middlemen at a give away price.
Almost 50% of the population draws water from unprotected shallow wells and 60% of the households do not have pit latrines. This is a contributing factor to high incidences of waterborne diseases.