Farming & animals

“Feed the soil and the soil will feed you. Keep livestock and the livestock will keep your crops.”

That is how Patrick Fedrick Wangao sums up our agricultural approach. It has changed his family’s life – and the lives of thousands of others who were struggling to produce enough food from tiny plots of degraded land.

By making best use of their natural resources – soil, crops, animals, and water – people can farm cheaply, effectively, and sustainably. While we do provide many families with suitable animals such as a cow, goats, or poultry, the training we give is just as important – and is included in the cost of the virtual gifts you buy.

Families learn natural farming methods to boost crop and vegetable yields. Key to those techniques is the use of composted manure – crucial for families who cannot afford commercial fertiliser. They also learn how to keep their animals healthy and productive, and prevent them from damaging the land. Our support workers make regular visits to check the animals are well cared for and offer veterinary advice.

With a good supply of vegetables and milk, eggs or meat to eat and sell, families no longer go hungry, and can even share produce with their neighbours. Once farmers have enough to meet their basic needs, we provide extra support in business and marketing skills to help them set up farming enterprises – perhaps by making their surplus fruit into preserves for sale. That way, they can spread their risks, and build flourishing livelihoods.

“This cow is transforming our family life. She is providing milk for our children, which we could not afford before. We have a surplus to sell, which covers school expenses and family healthcare. Her manure fertilises our garden, which yields enough vegetables to eat, share with neighbours, and sell. We are helping our neighbours set up their own vegetable gardens, which is deepening our friendships. This season, we expect good crops of bananas and beans – that will be a real life-changing opportunity.”

Margaret Mukabasinga, Rwanda