Agriculture

PLANTING VEGETABLE GARDENS IN GOFILA 

In spring 2014, we realized the first Market Garden as a pilot project right next to the most effective deep well with the highest water volume. At the beginning of 2015, the first successful harvest could already be brought in. Onions, tomatoes, beans, aubergines and corn are being cultivated there.

This pilot project is very successful and is also well received by the villagers. The area under cultivation has in fact been more than doubled in recent years. In order to ensure the sustainability of the project and to increase yields, we have made a one-off investment of 4,000 euros. The money was used to buy seeds, various tools, watering cans and water canisters. Training courses were also offered by the government. These topics were covered: planting, harvesting, watering behaviour and the production of natural fertiliser. A committee consisting of volunteers from the village community supervised the work.

The aim of this project is to achieve self-sufficiency for the villagers through a more varied diet. Any surplus vegetables are sold by the volunteers at a nearby market. With the profit, the helpers build up reserves for seeds and maintenance etc., thus this project is now self-financing.

In order to teach the children/young people about agriculture from an early age, we are also creating a school vegetable garden at all schools.