Make a Difference
COMACO Coorperatives
COMACO partners with local Cooperatives to form COMACO Cooperatives
For several years, COMACO has had the challenge of ensuring that the programmes and farmers that the project targets in the Luangwa valley are successful and that Conservation technologies are imparted to each and every household that directly or indirectly poses a threat to the Ecosystem.
COMACO largely relies on the services of well trained Extension staff and lead farmers who ensure that compliance procedures are carefully adhered to and that no farmers defaults or returns to negative and destructive devices.
As the project expands to more areas and interest is sparked among many stakeholders, COMACO has seen it fit to involve the community more so they become responsible for the activities that are going on in their areas.
The partnership has resulted into the formation of COMACO Producer group Cooperatives that will ensure improvement in the efficiency and market benefits for all cooperative members, who are the Registered Producer group members.
This partnership will ensure that both COMACO and the Cooperatives agree on the pricing of the various commodities before the Cooperatives sell their produce to COMACO. The cooperatives will be responsible for grouping up producers who will sell their produce to COMACO, ensure that logistics are in place for transactions to be carried out as well as ensure Producer group loyalty to COMACO. In return, COMACO agrees to provide input support and trainings for these farmers with the aid of the extension staff as well as pay a COMACO conservation dividend for farmers who comply fully to the conservation guidelines such as minimizing poaching levels and adhering to existing Land use plans. This dividend will be paid at the end of a marketing season.
Two cooperative leaders trainings have taken place in Chama and Mfuwe since December 2009 and results from the trainings have shown enthusiasm and eagerness from both COMACO staff and the Cooperative leaders.
Five Cooperatives have been formed in Chama and seven in Mfuwe, all with common goals and these are pending registration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
For several years, COMACO has had the challenge of ensuring that the programmes and farmers that the project targets in the Luangwa valley are successful and that Conservation technologies are imparted to each and every household that directly or indirectly poses a threat to the Ecosystem.
COMACO largely relies on the services of well trained Extension staff and lead farmers who ensure that compliance procedures are carefully adhered to and that no farmers defaults or returns to negative and destructive devices.
As the project expands to more areas and interest is sparked among many stakeholders, COMACO has seen it fit to involve the community more so they become responsible for the activities that are going on in their areas.
The partnership has resulted into the formation of COMACO Producer group Cooperatives that will ensure improvement in the efficiency and market benefits for all cooperative members, who are the Registered Producer group members.
This partnership will ensure that both COMACO and the Cooperatives agree on the pricing of the various commodities before the Cooperatives sell their produce to COMACO. The cooperatives will be responsible for grouping up producers who will sell their produce to COMACO, ensure that logistics are in place for transactions to be carried out as well as ensure Producer group loyalty to COMACO. In return, COMACO agrees to provide input support and trainings for these farmers with the aid of the extension staff as well as pay a COMACO conservation dividend for farmers who comply fully to the conservation guidelines such as minimizing poaching levels and adhering to existing Land use plans. This dividend will be paid at the end of a marketing season.
Two cooperative leaders trainings have taken place in Chama and Mfuwe since December 2009 and results from the trainings have shown enthusiasm and eagerness from both COMACO staff and the Cooperative leaders.
Five Cooperatives have been formed in Chama and seven in Mfuwe, all with common goals and these are pending registration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
The coming together of these cooperatives will see to it that several missions are met by the producer groups such as no burning of crop residues; firebreaks must be constructed around the fields; desist from poaching, snaring and setting of bush fires; surrender all existing arms and snares; should practice conservation farming and making of compost manure and be ready to trade with COMACO as a means to earning legal income.
To carry out these activities among the farmers effectively, Lead farmers have been identified in all the regions that will be responsible for recruiting and increasing membership among COMACO farmers.
The lead farmers are trained trainers who will guide the other farmers with better life skills and knowledge to improve the way they live. They will also be responsible for buying the commodities on behalf of the Cooperatives from the designated marketing areas. The lead farmers will maintain an active registry of the producer group members and distribute identity cards to the farmers and submit a copy of these records to COMACO extension managers.
The Cooperative leaders have welcomed these ideas and are more than delighted to spearhead these efforts to see to it that COMACO efforts are successful in their areas. “We are more than delighted to have been recognized as key people in these developmental programs and we will see to it that COMACO is a success story everywhere we go.”
To carry out these activities among the farmers effectively, Lead farmers have been identified in all the regions that will be responsible for recruiting and increasing membership among COMACO farmers.
The lead farmers are trained trainers who will guide the other farmers with better life skills and knowledge to improve the way they live. They will also be responsible for buying the commodities on behalf of the Cooperatives from the designated marketing areas. The lead farmers will maintain an active registry of the producer group members and distribute identity cards to the farmers and submit a copy of these records to COMACO extension managers.
The Cooperative leaders have welcomed these ideas and are more than delighted to spearhead these efforts to see to it that COMACO efforts are successful in their areas. “We are more than delighted to have been recognized as key people in these developmental programs and we will see to it that COMACO is a success story everywhere we go.”
To date, 10 COMACO cooperatives have been registered and are already functioning in Lundazi District and it is hoped that by the end of June, 2010, 12 more would have been fully established and registered.