Spreading Foundations for Farming in Malawi
23 February 2011
A Foundations for Farming station just outside Blantyre is hoping to change the face of agriculture across Malawi.
This was evidenced at an open day held by Crown Ministry Centre in Chigumula at the beginning of February. Attended by 150 people, including chiefs as well as representatives from farming clubs, bible colleges, Non-Governmental Organisations, visitors from South Africa and the United States, the open day saw the vision of Crown Financial Ministries being shared, which included the roll out of Foundations for Farming.
”We introduced our ministry to different organisations and chiefs in our area. We also announced our plans of starting a training centre here and gave people an opportunity to come and see the beautiful crops on the property,” said Johann van der Ham from Crown Financial Ministries.
These crops include maize, soya beans, sorghum, ground-nuts, cow peas, pigeon peas, sugar beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes and mushrooms. There is also a small wormery at the centre and two compost piles.
”The chiefs were very positive and impressed. One of the chiefs, group village head Binali, is passionate about Foundations for Farming and his own gardens are a wonderful demonstration of faithfulness,” said van der Ham.
Crown Financial Ministries moved to its current property, the venue of the open day, in August 2009. ”Crown recognises how crucial Foundations for Farming is in establishing the Kingdom of God in Malawi. We are so pleased at how we are given freedom in rolling it out on and from the station,” van der Ham said.
The impact of Foundations for Farming in Malawi is already being felt, but this is expected to gather momentum.
”We’re having wonderful results among those trained and have built up credibility over the years,” said van der Ham.
Already, several organisations and bible colleges have incorporated Foundations for Farming into their curricula. In addition, extension workers from organisations such as Concern Worldwide, Food for Africa, Aqua Aid, VERITAS College as well as ministries and churches such as AFM Bible College, IRIS Ministries, Faith of God Church, City Pentecostal Churches, the New Covenant Churches, Youth With A Mission and Charismatic Renewal Ministries International have received training.
”What is special is that the Lord is using many people in Malawi such as us, who had no farming background, to roll out Foundations for Farming nationwide,” said van der Ham.
”I can’t mention all those faithful volunteers in the nation who are contributing in a small or big way. This shows us clearly that it is not a technology we are teaching, but that it must be a move of God and He should get the glory,” he added.
The work in Malawi seems to be spreading from the grass roots level up.
”The impact of the film, Times of Change, is playing a definite role in making it easier for the rural farmers to adopt. Even the government is now taking note of the fast spread of Foundations for Farming and starting to enquire. It is a joy to be part of God’s plan for the restoration of the continent,” van der Ham said.