The importance of agriculture ……
Humanity depends on agriculture for it’s very survival; not only does agriculture provide food and the essential energy, vitamins and minerals, but agriculture is also an economic activity, a source of livelihood and a provider of environmental services. With 85 percent of Uganda’s population living in rural areas and 80 percent of the total labour force dependent on agriculture as a major contributor to their livelihoods, the importance of agriculture in Uganda cannot be underestimated. The recent World Development Report ‘Agriculture for Development’ (2007) also re-asserts the view that agriculture is ‘a fundamental instrument for sustainable development and poverty reduction’. As agricultural productivity is one of the most important determinants of economic growth for developing countries, the decline in agricultural productivity in Uganda has been directly linked to rising poverty levels. Poverty levels in Uganda are said to be increasing, in 2000 34% lived on less than $1 a day, in 2003 this figure stood at 38%. The poorest and most vulnerable of this group are the ones dependent on subsistence agriculture as their main source of livelihood.
Soft Power Agriculture …….
Research conducted for Soft Power in 2007 & 2008 found that households dependent on subsistence farming are experiencing problems of food insecurity as yields are declining and food prices rising. The reasons for declining yields can be attributed to a range of factors. Growing population pressures on natural resources and traditional farming methods mean that soils are becoming overused and exhausted. Deforestation, soil erosion, drought and unpredictable rainfall are further compounding such problems.
As a result of these findings Soft Power has decided to work with their partner schools and their wider communities to disseminate information about sustainable organic farming techniques as a way to improve soil fertility, water availability and increase yields in order to guarantee food security and generate income.
Update: October 2008 ……
I came out to work with Soft Power on 14th Sept, so I have been here 8 weeks now. They have been a very busy 8 weeks of trying to adjust to a different, but very pleasant way of life as well as trying to figure out a plan for the next 12 months. Currently my role in Soft Power is coordinating, implementing and reviewing their community agriculture projects. This also involves working with the agriculture tutors at the Amagezi Education Centre to look at ways we can develop and maintain school gardens at all of Soft Power’s 22 partner schools. At the moment the content and structure are under review, but by end of 2008 we will have reviewed, researched, and designed a program ready to be implemented for the new term in 2009!
In addition to working with our partner schools and giving knowledge to empower our students, we are also working with community groups to disseminate information and training that will empower and enable them to provide food and generate income from their land to support their livelihoods.
In Kyabirwa, Soft Power has been using a piece of land to train local community members in sustainable, organic farming techniques. The aim was to set up a demonstration garden for the Education Centre that could train community members and also feed the students when they come to the centre. Great ideas in principle – but so far monkeys and grazing animals are the only ones who have benefited! But with a few dedicated community members and some volunteers we are trying to get the garden back up and running. We meet in the garden once a week on a Tuesday morning, before it gets too hot and we dig, plant and carry out general garden maintenance. This time we are avoiding planting the monkeys’ favourites as well as planting some chilli’s, onions and peppers to put them off our crops. At the moment progress is slow, we have just planted maize, beans & cassava, but our long term goal is to develop the garden, train more members and feed the students who attend the education centre.
In May 2008 I was involved with the ‘Enhanced School Gardens’ pilot project as I was undertaking research for my university thesis and volunteering with Soft Power. Since then I have been home, finished my thesis and am now back working on the project. The project aim was to train a group of 15 farmers on the school gardens and then support them in implementing the sustainable methods at their home gardens. Both the school gardens that were worked on are now growing a range of crops, for example, maize, sweet potatoes, beans and tomatoes to feed their students. We are now working closely with Chris Kulabako of St Isaac’s Training Centre who is a local agriculture expert, to complete follow up monitoring and evaluation to see how we can continue providing support to farmers. Not all of the original members are still active or have implemented the methods, but we have 2 very keen groups that want to improve, learn more and further develop their skills. Providing on going support and training to these community members in crop management, basic water harvesting, animal husbandry and agro-forestry are areas we are currently looking into.
The sustainable methods and integrated approach that we are promoting involve a lot more labour and effort that traditional farming methods. Although the benefits are numerous, one of the problems we face is trying to mobilize people to change their behaviour. Not an easy task, but with time it’s something that we can definitely achieve!
Agriculture update
November 11, 2008 · No Comments
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BarcampAfrica Video
October 19, 2008 · No Comments
Recession- Proof Free Marketing Tips Video!
You have to be logged in to Facebook to watch this video
Check out this FREE presentation we made @ BarcampAfrica last week:
http://www.facebookfundraisingtips.com/Barcamp.wmv
It will be valuable to your charity or business. Jam packed with strategies for marketing your Facebook Page wrapped up in an *incredible* fundraising application and NGO case study. If you like it please share this link via Email, Facebook, Twitter & your blog!
Sharon Webb of Uganda NGO Soft Power Education 4 min video testimonial here:
PowerPoint version also available here:
http://www.slideshare.net/wallersara/7-secrets-to-facebook-fundraising-barcampafrica-presentation/
Credits to Andres Varela for co- production
Everyone’s talking about us, check out:
Facebook Marketing Queen, Mari Smith
Visit Barcamp Africa here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=20922314070
http://twitter.com/barcampafrica
P.S.
Follow me on Twitter and I’ll follow you
http://twitter.com/facebkfundraise
Other Related Videos
Please watch me!
I made this video for Soft Power as they are our case study charity and a great bunch of kids!
http://www.new.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=33854596330
How to Fundraise with Facebook!
Video revealing 7 Secrets of Fundraising with Facebook
http://www.new.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=33855166330
SOFT POWER EDUCATION – Education thru Friendship thru Adventure
http://www.new.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=34104816330
Testimonial by Sharon Webb of Uganda NGO Soft Power Education 4 min video
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Soft Power buys two new ISSB machines
October 30, 2008 · No Comments
Would you like to know how we are saving tonnes of trees with every classroom we build?
We not only looking out for education but also looking after the Ugandan environment and keeping it green as we go.
Thanks to some incredible fundraising from supporters Melinda and Steve Robinson from Australia, we have just purchased two new Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Machines (ISSB). In simple terms, a manual brick making machine, which will help with all of the building projects that we are involved in.
Traditional methods of brick making in Uganda comprise of taking a clay based mud and making a square block by hand, they are approximately the same size as any other brick elsewhere in the world. The problem is that because they are made by hand they are not a consistent shape, and they come in a variety of sizes. After making the brick they are then put into a pyramid stack with a gap in the middle where a fire is lit, they cover the top with banana leaves and dry grass (a handmade Kiln process). The bricks are then fired for 96 hours - constantly keeping the fire burning with wood, and are left to cool for 4 days. The bricks are then stored for 4 – 6 months before they are used.
This whole process is –
1. Labour intensive,
2. Bad for the environment because of the amount of wood needed to ‘cook’ the bricks,
3. Makes the building process longer and more expensive as the builders use more cement for mortar and rendering because of the imperfections of the bricks.
The new ISSB machine is an old technology that originated in France over 800 years ago. Kenya over the past 25 years have redeveloped the system because the Government has banned the cutting of timber to fire bricks the traditional way, knowing what it was doing to the environment.
Since 1991, Dr Moses Musaazi, an engineer at Makerere University in Kampala, has developed a technique which, by mixing soil and cement and then compressing the dampened mixture in a mould, produces an interlocking block (twice the size of a normal brick) that is stronger and more uniformly shaped than a conventional brick.
Dr Musaazi says: “Cutting down trees for firing bricks is second to charcoal burning in destroying Uganda’s forest cover. The adoption of this technology will dramatically reduce this environmental damage.
We have been looking at these machines for the past 6 years and today we are finally taking delivery of two machines. The new machines make blocks from a specific soil called murram, cement and water. It takes 2 people to operate and can produce 300 – 400 blocks in an 8 hour day. On top of all that they are also interlocking which saves on cement costs in between bricks. Several teams of Soft Power Builders have been trained in the process in association with The Haileybury Youth Trust.
The benefits of the ISSB bricks:
1. The making of 3000 ISSB blocks will save 10 tonnes of trees.
2. The blocks do not need to be fired
3. Cost saving because of less time needed to make them.
4. Only one bag of cement is needed to make 150 blocks. (cement is incredibly expensive in Uganda)
5. They are double the size of a normal fired brick so you only need to use half the number of bricks.
6. There is no mortar needed between the bricks because of the interlocking system, so mortar is only needed on top and bottom of the brick.
7. Uniformed shape for every brick, which uses less mortar and render – saves up to 50% compared to using fired bricks.
8. Are weather resistant and can be used in the construction of septic and water tanks. (There is a curved ISSB machine which can make curved bricks for water tanks)
9. The bricks are manufactured on site, saving transportation and damage.
10. Bricks are used 4 hours after making them, therefore construction can continue as the bricks are being made.
11. The ISSB system uses Ugandan road base as its main ingredient mixed with cement.
We will be using this type of brick in all buildings and water tanks from now on. This will make construction costs cheaper and the buildings and water tanks stronger. The biggest benefit – all monies fundraised for Soft Power Education will now go further!
Make sure to check the website soon for an update on our new buildings using the new ISSB technology.
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