Integrated Community Empowerment Project (CFTC INCOME)
About the Project
The ultimate goal is that children in vibrant sustainable communities in Northern Ghana have the foundation to build a prosperous future. With emphasis in women’s empowerment, gender mainstreaming, improving nutritional components of our foods particularly with children, our capacity building and sustainable practices will bring about community development. The outcomes of the project are Women and men in project communities in Northern Ghana are able to meet the basic nutritional needs for their families and Strong sustainable local organization drive community development that benefit children in Northern Ghana.
Major Achievements
839 farmers in project communities such as Biu, Sumbrungu and Vea, Farmers received training on seasonal forecasting, climate smart practices and basic agricultural practices using the various stages of the SARI model. This was facilitated by Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI). Demonstration farms were also established. As a result these farmers are able to predict the weather using both traditional and scientific techniques, prepare and use compost manure on their and select appropriate varieties of crops and determine the suitability of land for certain crops.
474 Women in project communities namely Sumbrungu received training on Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), Business Management Skills, Agro-Business Management and Animal Traction facilitated by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Business Services Division of TradeAID etc. As a result these women are able to farm and sell to the various markets, financially independent to respond to financial needs and own and use animal traction facilities to plough their farms and others.
Testimony
My name is Ayishatu Zakari from the Vea community. I am a farmer and a basket weaver. Farming is my major occupation of which I have been doing since adolescence. I am a member of the Vea Asongtaaba basket weavers group 2. Before then when I farmed I got very low yields and used outmoded techniques for farming, but when I joined this project, I benefited from trainings such as planting in rows, spacing, use of compost and manure and climate smart techniques. As a result I record high yields after every harvest. I have also from the Village Savings and Loans Association which has enabled me to adapt the attitude of saving. I am filled with joy and thank TradeAID for this opportunity to be part of the CFTC INCOME project.
Ayishatu Zakari, a Beneficiary of the CFTC INCOME project sharing her story