Beating Covid-19 with climate change resilience

It is a great joy to report that Tiko has had no case of covid-19. Also, the crew has had a positive reaction to the halving of their usual allowances and work time by putting great effort into the improvement of their cultivation methods with the hope of producing sufficient food for their families and having some produce to sell.

There were requests for covers for compost heaps, chicken wire to protect the bag gardens from chickens and seeds. Everyone was supplied with vegetable seeds, and seed for soya, cowpeas, groundnuts/peanuts, sunflower.  Soya, which also provides some protein, has become a favourite food crop. As it has increased in price, we gave out extra seed which means that people will also have some soya for sale in April/May 2021 if there is a good yield. 51 wells have been deepened.

The big news however is that we have been able to hold a workshop on the cultivation of yams, which provide a food staple throughout much of Africa. Yams are more tolerant of drought than maize and less attractive to grazing cattle. Work is going ahead to dig deep holes in which to plant the yams.

Thanks to all who have already contributed to this project which is continuing to help the members of the Tikondane Community through the hungry period with hope for the future.