International Development Grant
Organic Agriculture for Small-Scale Farmers
Project Number: CA-3-S065564001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $751,185.00
Start Date: June 01, 2012
End Date: August 31, 2015
Duration: 3.2 years
Project Description
This project aims to enable 100 small farmholders in the Chongwe district of Zambia to convert to organic agricultural production and end reliance on expensive and environmentally damaging chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In the long term it is designed to improve land use management practices increase agricultural productivity and model the organic conversion process for Zambian agriculture in general. Also the project aims to influence government policies to strengthen Zambia’s national policy focus on organic conversion and the expansion of conversion support programs. The project features year-round production of organic crops through rain fed and irrigated cultivation using compost made with manure from the rearing of small animals. To ensure success the project provides: infrastructural development; training and extension services for farmers; and the facilitation of farmer organization capacity building and access to markets in the nearby capital of Lusaka. One hundred farmers (50 women 50 men) and their households are expected to directly benefit from the project (a total of 825 people including 600 boys and girls). Another 8 000 additional members of farming families in Chongwe district who work outside the immediate scope of the project are expected to benefit through the demonstration effect. The project aims to increase household income from higher-value agricultural products sold in the market; improved nutrition due to higher-quality food consumed in the households; and a stronger base of agricultural and organizational knowledge and capabilities. This project designed in consultation with local farmers is implemented by the Kasisi Agriculture Training Center (KATC) a farmer training institution dedicated to organic conversion since 1990. Canadian Jesuit Mission is to support KATC in technical and analytical capacities and strategic analysis in the development context.
Expected Results
The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (i) accelerated rate of conversion to organic agriculture among the general farming population of Zambia's Chongwe District including male and female farmers; (ii) support to farmers' associations promotion of participating farmers as leaders and advocates and more women in decision-making roles leading to greater levels of economic and social empowerment among small-scale farmers and their families; (iii) wider and stronger advocacy for organic conversion in Zambia by the project implementer (Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre) and its affiliates leading to a strengthened national policy focus on organic conversion and the expansion of conversion support programs in Zambia.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (August 2015) include: (1) three satellite health clinics were built and are providing health services to 13 210 women men and children; (2) about 15 285 patients mostly women and children have received quality care from the three rural health clinics and community-based health workers; (3) 598 live births were assisted by skilled health personnel; (4) 911 women have received antenatal care by skilled health personnel; (5) 6 667 women and girls (100% of those living in the target areas) are now able to access health care when travel is involved; (6) 82% of beneficiaries now feel that the local health system and health service providers are more accountable; (7) 60% of the citizens who are engaging with their local government representatives to discuss community health issues are women; (8) 2 056 of women living in target areas report feeling more empowered to make financial decisions about their own health care needs; (9) 28 adolescent girls and boys groups are now working to empower youth and have held a total of 868 health education sessions on issues such as health nutrition hygiene early marriage family planning and pregnancy; (10) 3 145 of eligible couples between the ages of 15 and 49 are using contraception; (11) 1 864 targeted households are now aware of the benefits of natal antenatal and postnatal care; and (12) 3 004 women (85% of those living in the target areas) have received health services in their community from a trained community-based health care worker or certified birthing attendant. These results have contributed to improving the health of people especially women and children living in the under-served rural villages of Golachipa Charmontaj and Rangabali in southern Bangladesh and strengthening the local health care system by facilitating collaboration and coordination between the local government and targeted communities.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Canadian Jesuits International
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Other technical assistance
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP