Zambia, Africa

ZAM16a - Chaba Rice Processing Project

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Key Partnership Information:

• Partnership Ref.: ZAM16a

• Partner: Peter Chomba

• Commenced: 25/07/2010

• Funding Status: Completed - Self-sustaining

• Partnership Type: Community / Agriculture Development

• Funding Size: $0 - $2,999

• Annual Budget: US$ 2,420

• Connected To: ZAM16

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Other Partnership Information:

• No reports available yet

• No partnership video available yet

• No funding currently required for partnership

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Partnership Overview

Chaba is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Bangweulu. It is an isolated community linked primarily to other villages and towns on the lake with Samfya as its main market outlet. The village has a population of approximately 15,000 people. Fishing and farming are the two primary sources of livelihood in Chaba. In recent years, Chaba has struggled with the impacts of overfishing and is finding it harder to make a living from this traditional trade. As a whole the community is finding that they must become more reliant on agriculture production and diversification as a means of providing food and income for their families.

One unique component of the Chaba farming system is their reliance on rice production over that of maize. Estimates indicate that over 2,000 households in Chaba cultivate 2 or more lima of rice every year with the average production at approximately 500 kg of rice per lima. Most of the rice produced in Chaba is consumed or bartered locally, however traders from Samfya have begun coming to Chaba and buying up local rice. This emerging trade in rice is a clear opportunity for the community as developing trade in rice would positively impact the majority of families in the area.

One concern that farmers have raised is the lack of rice processing equipment available to farmers in the area. At present rice is shelled by hand. Grain is placed in a sack and beaten with a stick and the chaff is then separated from the grain. This method leaves the rice grains shattered and reduces the value of the rice. While broken grain may be suitable for local consumption it fetches only a minimal price from local traders. If Chaba farmers were able to shell their crop using an industrial sheller, they would be able to increase the market value of their crop by approximately 10%. 

CCCG has sourced a rice sheller from Lusaka. The unit is powered by a diesel engine and has the capacity to shell 800 kg of rice per hour. Two staff will be trained to operate and maintain the equipment and keep records for the mill. The training of the mill operators will take place in Samfya were there is an existing rice sheller. The mill plans on charging for the rice shelled and the profit derived from the mill will be used to supplement the CCC Group finances for their existing orphan care project. 

History Of Partnership

Chaba Christian Care Group was founded in 2003. The organization was formed in response to the growing crisis of orphaned children in the community. To date, Chaba Christian Care Group has focused its efforts on alleviating the burden faced by guardian families as they struggle to provide for the physical and educational needs of their adopted children. Currently, the organization is providing an education sponsorship program for 230 orphan children.

While the education program does alleviate some of the pressure faced by guardian families who adopt children, the Chaba community has recognized that only by addressing the underlining problem of poverty will families be able to find sustainable solutions to the orphan crisis in Chaba. Next to fishing, rice production is the second most important income source for Chaba. By improving the processing of rice, the project intends to improve the quality and marketability of locally grown rice. With the improved quality of rice, farmers will be able to increase the value of their crop which will translate into increased rice production for Chaba farmers and greater self sufficiency for families who have adopted children.

Beneficiaries

The whole community of Chaba will benefit from the installation of this rice mill as all 2,000 families that grow rice will now be able to have it milled more effectively and will be able to generate more income.  There are currently 230 primary and secondary aged children registered with the group but as the mill generates a profit it will enable more children to join the programme and thereby get an education.

What We Like About The Partnership

The most impressive aspect of this partnership is the leadership team. They have developed an organisation and a strategy and are doing the work regardless of assistance from outside. They represent a wide range of churches and have pulled together a well organised committee and team.  They have a real vision for their community and a desire to lift people out of their poverty trapped lifestyle.

 

Key People

Leadership Profile

Mr Peter Chomba
ROLE: Coordinator - overseeing the partnership. Acts between the committee and donors and is the administrator.
CHURCH: CMML, Peter is a Bible teacher
Mr Chomba works as a lecturer at Samfya Bible School. He is a graduate of GLO Bible School and has also received sales rep training, military training, accounting training (internal within Bright Hope) and has done administrative work previously. He lives with his wife and five children. Mr Chomba grew up in Chaba.

Other People Involved

See ZAM16 for details on the rest of the Chaba Board.

 

Vision And Annual Strategy

• To improve the quality and marketability of rice produced by farmers in Chaba
• To increase the production and trade of rice in the Chaba area
• To reduce the crisis of orphans in the Chaba area by providing an opportunity to increase the standard of living for families caring for orphans
• To supplement the current partnership with BHW so more OVCs and their families can benefit

The rice shelling mill in Chaba should have the impact of encouraging families to start growing or increase their cultivation of rice. CCC Group has also considered other possible interventions that would promote and improve rice production should the rice shelling mill have the positive impact that is expected. These future interventions include:
• Contracting a rice consultant to come to Chaba to analyze and make recommendations on methods of cultivation, cultivars grown, processing methods and marketing of local rice.
• To form a rice cooperative that will work together to reduce procurement and transport costs and to take direct control of marketing Chaba rice
• To build a grain store in Chaba

 

Annual Budget

This partnership requires a one-off amount of US$11,000 which will cover all the costs associated with purchasing, transporting and installing the rice mill in Chaba.  Once installed and operating the mill will then generate an income for CCCG and no further funds will be required.

The profit from the proceeds of the milling operation will be distributed on the following pro rata basis:
• 35% Guardian training and empowerment
• 30% Orphan Project
• 30% Save for business development
• 5% Admin of partnership

 

2023 Update

The mill has been in operation for around 13 years now. There are always a few maintenance issues, which over time are being sorted by the CCCG board. Last season the fanbelts broke right before harvest time, and they struggled to find replacements. They now have them and are ready to go for the next season.