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Transforming lives through sustainable agriculture: The inspiring journey of Nastanzio Nkhata.

Sitoko Village, Mchinji District - From the serene fields of Sitoko Village in Group Village Mphanga, Traditional Authority Simphasi, emerges a story of hope and transformation. Nastanzio Nkhata, a farmer, has become a beacon of success and resilience, thanks to the continuous support and training provided by Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD).

In 2023, through the initiative, Nastanzio embarked on a journey that changed his life forever. The project, supported by Bread for the World Germany, is part of the Promoting Agroecological Resilient Agriculture (PAET-ERA) project, which aims to foster sustainable farming practices in Mchinji, Dowa, Nsanje and Mulanje.

"I have benefitted immensely from irrigation farming," Nastanzio shares with a smile. "I am now food-sufficient and able to harvest four times a year. My family is healthy, and we no longer worry about hunger." 

Before the training, Nastanzio struggled with traditional farming methods, managing only one harvest annually, yielding just two or three bags of maize. Today, his half-acre land produces an impressive seven 50kg bags of rice and ten 60kg bags of maize, thanks to crop rotation and continuous farming practices.

This remarkable transformation has not only ensured food security for his family but also opened new opportunities. Nastanzio proudly pays 150,000 Kwacha in school fees per term for his child at Nthunzi Private Secondary School. He has also purchased a cow, and maintained and upgraded his home, now roofed with iron sheets.

Nastanzio's success story is a testament to the power of sustainable agriculture and the impact of community support. He encourages fellow farmers to embrace a mindset change towards continuous and resilient farming practices to achieve a food-secure Malawi.

CARD's PAET-ERA project, through its holistic approach to farming and provision of solar irrigation pumps, continues to empower farmers like Nastanzio. By promoting Agroecological resilience, the project ensures that communities can thrive independently. Thanks to these efforts, a brighter and more secure future for Malawi is not just a dream but an achievable reality.