Gorongosa National Park, Buffer Zone Farmers, Transition to Organic Agriculture

The aim in the buffer zone is to eventually convert farming practices from traditional to organic farming. If this is to be done successfully we have to be mindful of the following;

1. The livelihood of the farmers is the production of crops, both for commercial and home use. To this end the transition has to be made ensuring that crop yields are maintained or improved. If our stance is dictatorial and we insist farmers do not use chemical pesticides and this stance has a direct and negative impact on yield, we will immediately lose the trust and support of the farmers.
2. In the transitional phase, we should ensure that chemical pesticides are purchased from registed retailers who sell pesticides that are Mozambican registered.
3. We know experts on the local flora, and in our efforts to promote the use of Integrated Pest Management, they have been invited to show farmers what indigenous plants can be used to make pesticides. Once we have this information, we need to have these concoctions anylised to ensure there are no banned substances in them. Only then should we encourage their use.

It has come to my attention that our efforts are being critisized, and that perhaps a 'harder line' should be taken. May I remind the meddlers; the success of this project relies upon a 'two-way' effort; this organisation and the communities with whom we are working. A dictatorial approach will certainly result in failure. Think about it! Baby steps.........