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Resilience in Agriculture: The story of Delia Amos, a model farmer in Sochera Village

Mulanje, Malawi. In the heart of Sochera Village, under Group Village Headman Chimwala, Traditional Authority Chikumbu, Mulanje district. Delia Amos, a married mother of four, stands as a shining example of resilience and innovation in agriculture. Despite the significant challenges posed by climate change, Delia has successfully secured food and income for her family by adopting sustainable farming practices, through the PAET - ERA project, funded by Bread for the World (BftW).

At the core of Delia’s success is her strategy of crop diversification. Although her rainfed maize harvest yielded only two bags due to erratic rainfall, Delia compensated by growing a variety of other crops. She harvested 100 kilograms of pigeon peas, selling half for K75,000, while 20 bags of sweet potatoes earned her K210,000. Her cassava crop generated an additional income of K62,000 from three bags sold, with two bags set aside for family consumption.

One of the transformative elements of the PAET - ERA project is the introduction of mobile solar irrigation kits, which have significantly boosted Delia’s ability to farm year-round. Alongside 31 other farmers in her village, Delia uses this technology to grow crops during the dry season. With solar irrigation, she cultivated green maize, earning K60,000 from its sale and grew beans to feed her family. This innovative system has been instrumental in ensuring food security and a reliable income, even during unpredictable weather patterns.

Delia's farm thrives through the integration of livestock alongside her crops. She now owns two goats, a cow and 15 chickens and the sale of three other goats brought in K137,000, while five chickens earned K25,000. Importantly, the manure from her animals enriches the soil, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. In return, crop residues serve as feed for her livestock, creating a self-sustaining farming system.

Delia Amos' success story is a testament to the power of sustainable farming practices, innovation and resilience in the face of climate challenges. By diversifying her crops, utilizing solar irrigation and integrating livestock, she has not only secured her family’s livelihood but also set an inspiring example for farmers across her community.