The Story of Noria Mulemwe
Noria Mulemwe is one of the beneficiary of the Climate Smart Economic Empowerment Program in Nampongo community. At the time Response Network was conducting the base line for the project in the area, Noria like every other farmer in Nampongo Community was illiterate about the garden operations and its benefits, she tell us that she lacked knowledge about types of fertilizers to be used in the garden and the correct use of the fertilizer as depending on the crop stage.
‘I had little knowledge on how to scout for pests and diseases, the best chemical for each pest and disease’ she says. She told us that she had little knowledge about use of raised beds to avoid floods during rainy season and also the use of sunken beds to preserve water during dry season. She says she had no knowledgeable about the danger of the used bottles of chemicals and the only thing she used to know is the practice of seasonal farming for home consumption.
The implementation of the Climate Smart Economic Empowerment programme has brought positive change among the farmers of Nampongo community. The farmers who had little or no knowledge about garden farming, are now able to realize the importance of gardening through Climate smart economic empowerment project (CSEEP).
Implemented by Response Network Zambia through active extension services by Project officers the Climate Smart Economic Empowerment Project has seen a paradigm shift in the knowledge from the time the project started. The farmers have acquired knowledge on how to carry out agronomic practices concerning garden farming. Among the notable results acquired includes, the ability to make proper beds depending on the season, the farmers now know the importance of wearing protective cloths such as gloves and mask when handling chemicals for pest and disease in the gardens, also they now know the importance of disposing off used chemical bottles in the right places as they now dispose in the pit latrines as the dangers were enlightened to them much more reusing the bottles for keeping seeds and other valuables as before.
The farmers are now able to identify pest and diseases and apply the right chemical for each pest and disease identified in the garden, they are now able to tell different types of seed varieties available at the market including chemicals and fertilizers suitable for each of them.
Like every other farmer in Nampongo community Noria now knows the (difference between determinant varieties and indeterminate variety) and in the case were its beyond her scope, ‘I’m able consult from the Response Network project officer and help is rendered’. She says
The climate smart economic project has brought remarkable social and economic change to the farmers in Nampongo community.