Diaries of a global farmer

So much of this country is about black and white. If only everything were as black and white as our skins.

But the mix of African and white is a beautiful mocha colour. Maybe we can make something beautiful out of this too? “This” is the project we are working on with Bukuumo Co-operative. Daily we pray for wisdom as we work together planning the farm and chicken layer project we want to develop there.

Read Also

Agriculture needs to prepare for government spending cuts

As government makes necessary cuts to spending, what can be reduced or restructured in the budgets for agriculture?

“You are here because of the money and we are here because of the vision. And how can we make the two meet?” the chair asks us. Yes, how? Some feel we should proceed with development plans until the money runs out. They have complete faith that the necessary funds will turn up as we need them.

We feel that we should plan according to the money available. Two different viewpoints. Farming in this country is not for sissies, one white farm woman told me. It takes persistence, courage and strength.

Our group has that. It is our task to help them with business planning that will complement their strengths. Together we will learn and go forward.

There are no easy answers, no formulated equations for our job. We are thankful for those who are also working in this country and are quick to lend a sympathetic ear and give words of advice.

“I’m a village boy caught between the village and the Mzungu (white) way,” says Mr. Mate, our chair.

We are all caught there with him, between the old and the new. There are many models, but we all have to find our own path with the specific people we work with.

Our African friends are educated and the African culture lies deep and strong in them. Concepts of family, time and relationships that once protected life in the rural village often don’t work well in the global village, of which Africa is also a part.

How to keep what is good of the culture and change what is not? And have the wisdom to know the difference?

Yesterday we set the beacons for the boundaries for Bukuumo Co-operative farm. This is a big event, long awaited and prayed for. The co-op fought hard to get to this point.

It had to fight again this morning as it was about to begin the survey. The neighbour, who has the small farm next to the co-op (this area is divided into 10-15 hectare plots), had intruded on the land and built a small house with power. The neighbour had fully expected to appropriate the co-op’s land too, and was furious that his plans had been crossed. He made threats, claiming wrongfully that he had title to the extension and even suggesting he would shoot. That was too much for Mr. Mate, who had tried reason and friendliness.

Bukuumo’s papers were in order. He would call the police. Tempers ran high, hot and loud. I sat in the shade, thinking it better if the Mzungu woman was not involved. By late afternoon the two men were on more amicable terms, even eating nshima together. A compromise had been reached, leaving the neighbour the small corner he’d developed.

The letter promised some time ago by the town clerk finally came last week. We made the necessary payments to the town council for services we will probably never see — power, water and sewer. After the survey is done, we can begin development.

Today was the first time any of us walked all the way around the land — high grass, brush and fear of snakes had deterred us from going in too far. It is a fine piece, sloping toward a small river, and ideal for the chicken layer project.

Close to the city, along the main highway to the Congo, the market will be readily available. There is definitely potential here and the rains have started again so farmers are happy.