Enoch Chione
Village: Chipetupetu
Joined in: 2002
Enoch Chione, a 50 year old man who has been farming his entire life, joined the project in 2002 because he was interested in learning about new farming techniques. He was particularly eager to learn about intercropping and burying crop residues; fertilizer is extremely expensive for Malawian farmers, and burying the legumes’ residues is one alternative to improve soil fertility.
Enoch has seen great improvements in his fields since he joined. The quality of his soil is much better, and now, instead of growing only maize, he grows a variety of crops. His fields have gotten much bigger, which means he is often able to produce a surplus of maize, pigeon pea, soy beans, sorghum, or peanuts. He has been able to sell his surplus crops at the local markets, and with the money that he has earned, he has paid for his children’s school fees. In addition, he has been able to share his sorghum seeds with his friends and neighbours.
Enoch has a great interest in the project, and has shown initiative by intercropping various legume combinations. He is a lead member of the Farmers Research Team; participates in the Agriculture and Nutrition Discussion Groups; and is putting his artistic talents to great use as a member of the Pamphlet Committee. He enjoys participating in Field Days, and as the headman of his village, he takes pride in teaching community members what he has learned from the project. His greatest joy, however, has been watching his five children’s nutrition improve; they are healthier and doing better at school. He and his family are now more food secure, and they especially like using the legumes to make new and tasty recipes.
