Maputo Special Reserve
Transforming lives through conservation agriculture
18/12/2019
Onion farmers from the Tchia community adjacent to Maputo Special Reserve (MSR) in Mozambique, are celebrating after being able to take more than 7 000kg of produce to market following a very successful harvest.
Using conservation agriculture techniques, the onions were grown in an area of about 0.8 hectares utilising minimal soil movement and fertilization of crops with livestock manure, in order to preserve the structure and biodiversity of the soil.
To support the farmers, MSR provided seedlings and training in the special horticultural methods that were used to achieve such a good yield from poor soil. The reserve also provided an irrigation system that includes a pump and 2 ha dripping system, as well as helped the farmers establish linkages to take their produce to market.
This initiative is part of a community development program implemented by MSR, in partnership with Peace Parks Foundation and CoMoN Foundation, which also includes beekeeping and farming of other produce, such as chilis. The aim is to provide communities with alternative livelihoods in order to reduce their dependence on the natural resources of this conservation area.
