The ACE Farm
Connecting With the Land in Rural Chongwe, Zambia
The ACE Zambia team recently jumped on an opportunity to purchase a 10 acre farm property in the rural district of Chongwe. Located about 33 miles east of Lusaka, Chongwe is a bustling agricultural area, the landscape dotted with orchards, farm stands, dirt roads and pastures. While the farm still needs much work, it is already producing chickens and vegetables that are regularly brought back to Lusaka to help to feed children in ACE’s care and fund ACE Zambia’s work through the sale of chickens and vegetables at local markets, supplying ACE programs with an additional source of steady income.
Chiyaze Chiwevu, the farm manager, has an ambitious plan for the property. His goal is to build an organic integrated farm. This is a sustainable farming practice that incorporates livestock, crop production, fish, poultry, tree orchards, and other systems that benefit and synthesize into each other (e.g., the poultry production aids in the horticulture system, where the chicken manure is used to fertilize the crops). A vibrant, dynamic farm like this will not only provide financial diversification in the form of various products, it will also be an incredible tool to inspire and teach a young generation of Zambians about the importance of land cultivation, fostering connection, community, and mental health.
ACE Farm Manager Chiyaze Chiwevu tending to newly delivered chicks in the poultry enclosure.
The team has just completed construction of a new poultry enclosure which will increase the farm’s capacity by 2,000 chickens. There are many more projects in the works! Chiyaze is overseeing the rehabilitation of three fish ponds, which, when operational, will be stocked with tilapia. A popular and sustainable fish species to farm, tilapia will become another excellent source of nutrition, fertilizer, and revenue for ACEZ.
Chiyaze Chiwevu and ACE Zambia team member Salinda Phiri with a farm-grown cabbage.
There are a number of upcoming projects. Chiyaze is preparing the land for crop production, with plans to grow tomatoes, cabbages, onions and peppers. In the avenue of livestock, he is considering a piggery, further diversifying the farm’s output. Chiyaze also hopes to one day have a fruit tree orchard, which will prevent soil erosion, attract pollinators, and among many other benefits, create another revenue stream for the farm.
Challenges & Needs
One current obstacle to expanding work is water sourcing. While there is a water pump system on the farm, it is not robust enough to provide the amount of water required to sustain the fish ponds and horticulture projects. A secondary pump system is needed, which will cost around 50,000 kwacha (roughly $1,900 dollars). Once funds for the pump system are raised and the new pump is installed, the farm can truly begin to thrive.
Not only will the farm supply nutritious organic food to the children in ACE’s care, the ACE team hopes that it can become another beacon of hope, a tool to teach resourcefulness, community and hard work, inspiring a new generation of Zambians to connect with and cherish their land.
You can help support the future of the ACE farm!
Your donation will go towards the purchase of the new water pump system that is needed, as well as support the expanding livestock and horticulture projects. Click the link below to give today.
