“Leading by example” is something that Amon Sakala reminds fellow volunteers who give their time to help their communities. At 42, he is married with four children, and takes care of his elderly mother who is more than 65 years old. He is also a dedicated Agriculture Volunteer.

At 42, he is married with four children, and takes care of his elderly mother who is more than 65 years old. He is also a dedicated Agriculture Volunteer.

Amon was identified in 2011 by his community in Chipata District to be trained as an Agriculture Volunteer Worker (AVW) because of his passion for his community. After training, Amon was one of many excited volunteers who wanted to try some of the technologies he learned. He wanted to see if the techniques would work and to build the confidence he would need to teach this knowledge to other farmers.

He was able to harvest eighteen 50 kg bags of maize on the same piece of land where previously he was getting between ten and twelve bags.

Last year Amon used agroforestry and conservation farming techniques and has so far gotten positive results in spite of the fact that he had to replant twice because of poor germination due to drought during the late onset rains. He was able to harvest eighteen 50 kg bags of maize on the same piece of land where previously he was getting between ten and twelve bags. This has encouraged him, and he promises to continue with the farming technologies he has learned.

Amon chose these two technologies realizing that the cost of chemical fertilisers is high and that without it, he may find it very difficult to produce a big enough yield to have food throughout the year for his family. For the last two years, their food supply has not lasted the whole year, and they have gone hungry. It has been a struggle for Amon to find work during the months of January and February so that he can earn some money to buy food for his family.

Now, Amon says that with the lessons taught by RCZ-DD (Reformed Church of Zambia, Diaconia Department), he believes he can grow enough crops in the coming years, especially if the rains will be favourable.

“The biggest enemy in a household is hunger,” Amon says. “I want to fight it as I do not want to always beg or keep on receiving handouts, but to stand on my own.” Amon also has plans to build a modern house.

Amon expressed his thanks to World Renew donors for the support they are giving to vulnerable farmers through RCZ-Diaconia. He is grateful to be among one the first beneficiaries of improved seeds such as maize, groundnuts, sunflower and cowpeas as an Agriculture Volunteer Worker.

Patsy Orkar-Sagara

Program Consultant
World Renew Zambia