June 16, 2020
News
Masupanzila, the Pathfinder are a group of 24 women who fearlessly cross the waters of Barotse Floodplain to take care of their rice fields. Masupanzila Women Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society was established in 2009 with the main purpose of socially and economically empowering female peasant farmers, tailors, and women involved in traditional crafts in Mongu District to generate income.
They call themselves Masupanzila, the Pathfinder. They are a group of 24 women who fearlessly cross the waters of Barotse Floodplain to take care of their rice fields. Masupanzila Women Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society was established in 2009 with the main purpose of socially and economically empowering female peasant farmers, tailors, and women involved in traditional crafts in Mongu District to generate income.
Last year, we got the opportunity to support their rice business venture. Masupanzila produced an outstanding business plan for rice growing, polishing, and packaging combined with poultry production. The group became one of the 5 cooperatives reinforced through the Agri-business for LIFE project implemented in partnership with Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Big Terra and funded by Česká rozvojová agentura - CzechAid. The participants received extensive training in increased agriculture production, including the so called System of Rice Intensification which is an agro-ecological methodology for increasing the productivity of irrigated rice by changing the management of plants, soil, water and nutrient.
After developing a plan on how to package and market the rice, the women also received a grant of K 48,000. ‘The cooperative it has used a total amount of K19,500.00 so far. The use included land preparation, seed buying, planting and other field management activities. The cooperative has been left with the balance of K28,500.00 in their bank account. The balance will be used during harvesting, for instance for packaging materials,’ explains our colleague Mulope Mwiya, CCR Agriculture Officer who coaches the cooperative.
