MOET proves cassava is an effective alternative to maize when water is scarce

Patterson Majonanga (Headmaster & Director)

In a bid to promote permaculture in the communities Dzimwe radio, a community radio station, organised a tour for Community Radio Listening Clubs to learn how permaculture is being implemented at Mangochi Orphans Education and Training.  The group was accompanied by officials from Wildlife and Environmental Society in Malawi, Swedish International Corporation, Lake Malawi National Park and others.

In his remarks the leader of the delegation, Mr Amom Kadzuwa (Board Treasurer of the community radio) explained the clubs have the objectives of establishing organic kitchen gardens in their respective households and setting tree seedling nurseries with the aim of replacing those indigenous trees which have been carelessly destroyed.  After touring the centre, the clubs had to draw up action plans, with assistance from MOET, which are to be followed in their respective communities.

There is a great need to break the dependence on maize alone as a staple food and MOET has proved through practice that it is possible for cassava to be an effective alternative in times of water scarcity and soil infertility.  Participants in this tour were amazed that a cassava root could grow so rapidly – up to 1.2 metres in 12 months.

In addition, the group was given a chance to see and taste some of the value-added products made by the children of the school as part of their vocational skills training program – lemon peri peri sauce, natural honey harvested from MOET beehives and peanut butter..