Project News

Kassala State Ministry of Agriculture, Technology Transfer and Extension Administration (TTEA) has encountered the challenge of insufficient fund for rural development activities. Due to the lack of fund, it is difficult for extension officers in the field of rural development to provide continuous and sufficient trainings and follow-up for women groups.

In response to this challenge, as one of pilot activities for women group, Capacity Development Project for Provision of the Services for Basic Human Needs in Kassala (K-TOP) Agriculture and Livelihood Cluster provided a water pump to TTEA and started to support the following system. At first, TTEA lend the water pump to women farmer group. The women group cultivates vegetables by using the water pump, gains income through sales of vegetables harvested from farm, and finally pays back the investment cost of water pump to TTEA. In long-term vision, TTEA aims to use revolving fund to expand support activity for the other women groups.

Since November 2012, women group has started vegetable production by using the above system in El Karda Village, Wad el Helew Locality. El Karda Village locates far from the market. Therefore, villagers have not eaten fresh vegetables in dry season while they harvest rocket, tomato and okra etc. from small home garden in rainy season. This pilot activity is expected to improve nutrition of villagers as a side effect.

Women group started cultivation rocket, tomato and cucumber in November 2012. The group grew vegetables well under supervision from rural development extension officer and harvested them in January 2013. Harvested vegetables were sold in the market in Al Shajarab, Wad el Helew and neighboring villages in April 2013 and the group earned income at the first time. For the next season, they have a plan to cultivate okra from May.

(Reported by Ms. Kyoko Akasaka, JICA Expert on Rural Development / Rural Organization / Horticulture)

(Sub-title) Voice from women farmer group in El Karda

"We were doing agriculture even before renting a water pump from TTEA. Before using the water pump for irrigation, we could not earn water for agriculture stably and the amount of the agricultural production was rely on the rain during the short rainy season. Now, we can get water from near river by using water pump. Especially, the productivity of tomato increased. What makes us happy is that, because the amount of vegetables we can eat in our houses increased, the times our children became sick got less."

(Interviewed by Mana Jingushi, Project Assistant, on June 19th, 2013)

Supervision by rural development extension officer

Regular work in the farm

Tomato

Harvest of rocket