Overview
Concern's work in Angola
Concern's main focus is food security and to implementing sustainable farming solutions in the provinces of Huambo, Malanje and Bie in the central highlands.
An important strategic move has seen the focus shift from emergency relief to long-term development, with capacity building and partnerships at the heart of our programmes.
The long term goal of Concern is empowerment, to impart the necessary skills and expertise, so that people can break the cycle of dependency and ultimately uplift their communities themselves.
In 2005, within out Food Security Programme, Concern supported more than 30,000 families about 150,000 people, based on a community led redistribution system.
Farmers in receipt of seeds return the capital and a communally agreed interest to the seed bank. The community group then allocates this seed to other farmers for the next agricultural season.
This system has been endorsed by local farmers and has proved to be very effective and efficient. The programme also provides animals to poor and vulnerable households using a similar redistribution system.
This serves two purposes; it provides important dietary supplements such as vitamins and proteins, and serves as an income source.
Other activities in the target areas include the provision of maize, bean, and vegetable seeds.
Concern has also introduced seed multiplication projects, and in partnership with a state appointed body, facilitates workshops in seed multiplication, nutritional education, horticulture and animal husbandry.
In Bie province, Concern distributed 47.3 tons of maize seeds to 4,730 families in 30 villages.
In addition a ton of maize seeds and 22 tons of fertiliser were distributed for seed multiplication projects in the Cunhinga and Bellohorizonte communes. 12 bicycles were also handed to 12 Community Management Groups.
Prior to the start of the 2005/2006 planting season which is in November, Concern had about 100 tons of maize seed stock which were stored at the various community seed stores, and 27 tons from Concern’s seed multiplication projects.
