Bikes for Landcare_Zambia

Australian Landcare International (ALI) is calling for donations to fund bikes for landcare in northern Zambia. ALI has agreed to use its Pozible platform to raise funds for bicycles in Solwezi, Zambia for use by the Solwezi District Farmers Association (DFA) as an efficient transport means for their 'lead farmers' - those that help others in adopting better techniques for their land management and sustainable food production.

Why bikes for Landcare in Zambia?

In December 2016, a team of three Australian Landcare trainers – Andrea Mason, Jason Alexandra and Keith Bradby - visited the region to assist in delivering a Landcare training workshop. The workshop was aimed at improving the capacity of the locals to learn new agricultural techniques and take advantage of new market opportunities, but we became convinced that some simple and appropriate technology – bikes – would be transformative for the emerging farmer, landcare networks in the region.

One of the most limiting factors the farmers faced in their quest for learning is the lack of efficient transport for their 'lead farmers'. These farmers are volunteers who move around the districts assisting and listening to their fellow farmers, helping them improve their farms and farming systems. They currently walk many hours to visit farmers around their districts - bikes would be transformative for them in their volunteer work.

The Solwezi District Farmers Association has over 2000 members. It is a forward thinking and determined group led by a remarkable woman – Merian Kelala – who is keen to encourage adoption of landcare and sustainable agriculture throughout the region.

The simple purchase of 15 bicycles will greatly improve the ability of the Association and its lead or teacher farmers to visit farms around the many villages, and help to teach new ideas and listen to the villagers needs.

Any of us who have used bike for transport or fun know how transformative they can be. So please help us to help others spread this simple transport technology as a tool for promoting better farming in a region where most people are subsistence farmers.

About Australian Landcare International

Australian Landcare International (ALI) is a non-profit organisation that aims to facilitate and support overseas communities to adopt a Landcare approach to manage and sustain their land, water and biodiversity.

It began in 2008 and many of its members have been involved in Landcare in Australia at policy, program and operational levels for more than 20 years. Some have international experience in agricultural, forestry and environmental management.

Our goal is to use our collective Landcare experience to help people in other countries  manage their land and water resources more sustainably by:

• Promoting Landcare to national and international organisations as a sustainable way to manage natural resources for food production and resource conservation.
• Supporting a Landcare approach within local communities in various countries.
• Training overseas participants in Landcare within Australia and in home countries
• Making connections between people and projects in Australia and overseas.

The DFA have initially requested 15 bicycles at a cost of $350 AUD each = $5,250 AUD.

All donated funds will be used by Solwezi DFA to purchase and transport 15 bicycles from a local supplier, Buffalo Bicycles in Lusaka, Zambia. They will be distributed to the local volunteer 'lead farmers' in Solwezi for landcare and farming extension work.

It is more practical to use local suppliers for the bicycles for maintenance and reliability. It is also helpful to use local suppliers to support the local economy. Buffalo Bicycles is a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of World Bicycle Relief--a non-profit organization transforming lives through the power of bicycles (see https://worldbicyclerelief.org/en/impact/). Profits from the sale of Buffalo Bicycles help fund World Bicycle Relief's philanthropic programs and build a sustainable bicycle infrastructure in Africa. Buffalo Bicycles are designed, tested and assembled in Africa, providing jobs in the local economy. For more information see  http://www.buffalobicycle.com/why-buffalo

A small amount has been added to our target to cover international banking transfer fees.

What if you give more???

 Then there is an opportunity to expand this program into other regions and countries. Did you know that Landcare operates in over 24 countries worldwide - many of these are in poorer regions and would benefit greatly from the simple gift of transport. 

This is a very straightforward project - we get the money and we give it to the DFA!.

The three Australians who visited in 2016 have every faith in the DFA. It's Chair, Merian is a very strong woman and is dedicated to helping her  fellow farmers thrive under some challenging circumstances.