By Mazembe João
October 1, 2024

Smallholder farmer Canhemba Lastone and his wife have seven children. Canhemba used traditional farming methods but struggled to coax enough from his land to provide for his family’s basic needs. He felt hopeless and could not imagine a future where his family could journey away from poverty.

In 2023, Canhemba had the opportunity to join a project facilitated by World Renew’s local partner, the Reformed Church of Mozambique. Through this project focused on improving the livelihoods of vulnerable families, Canhemba shares, “I learned new farming techniques such as soil conservation agriculture and preparation of organic compounds, [as well as] matters related to gender-based justice.” He says he now understands that with changing weather patterns, it is becoming increasingly important to protect the soil. He shares, “Soil conservation agriculture, because it conserves moisture in the soil, protects it from erosion and creates microbes that promote renewal.”

Canhemba implemented the new techniques he learned and today is eagerly awaiting harvest time. He is expecting this year’s harvest to be twice as productive as past harvests. Where before Canhemba could barely grow enough to feed his family, he is now looking forward to surplus. He says, “I planted two hectares of corn, and the harvest will be enough to have corn flour for the next twelve months, so we can have surplus to sell, and with this amount we can purchase other products that are very necessary in our home.”

Where Canhemba once thought his family could not overcome poverty, he is now looking to the future with hope. Smiling, he says, “My dream is to have an irrigation pump, either fuel or pedal, to increase my production.”

Thank you for your gifts that help renew hope for farmers like Canhemba.