A spirit of eager learning and community collaboration marked a highly successful Farmer Training program conducted in the Chikankata region of Zambia from April 28th-30th, 2025. The intensive three-day event was expertly led by Xolani Ndlovu, Regional Director for Southern & Central Africa for Equipping Farmers International (EFI), with valuable support from Natallie Phiri, Region Admin Assistant, and Brian Kabaso, a Zambian Trainer Applicant. The training has laid a robust foundation for agricultural advancement and strengthened community ties.
“Through this training we know how to regenerate our land. The training will enable our members to be food secure, sustain ourselves, and mitigate the impact of climate change…We have an inheritance that we need to take care of. As Christians we have an obligation to look after our land well as it is our resource.”
–Bosswell Mboozi, Coordinator, Chikankata Ngangula Disabled Farmers Association
The program drew an impressive 42 participants, reaching its optimal capacity for effective learning. These individuals hailed from four different local churches, creating a diverse and engaged cohort. A particularly inspiring aspect was the significant representation and active involvement of persons with physical disabilities, predominantly men. Their consistent participation throughout every session underscored their commitment. Indeed, the initial request for this training came from the chairman of the Chikankata Disabled Persons Association, highlighting the community’s proactive approach to development. Despite the logistical challenge of reaching Chikankata – a journey of approximately 150 km from Lusaka that takes around four hours due to poor road conditions – the dedication of the participants was unwavering. They demonstrated a remarkable unity and willingness to learn together, with any potential doctrinal differences proving entirely inconspicuous throughout the training.
The training itself was characterized by strong, active participation from all attendees. This was especially evident during the practical sessions, where even those with physical challenges eagerly engaged, demonstrating a profound desire to acquire and apply new agricultural skills. A significant boost to local capacity building came from the involvement of Brian Kabaso as an intern; his participation not only provided him with invaluable hands-on experience but also strengthened the pool of local trainers. The participants showed a profound interest in the biblical teachings shared. The exploration of Isaiah 58 on true fasting served as a compelling framework for understanding the principles of the Well-Watered Garden (WWG) concept – an approach that encourages simple, productive gardening to grow food while glorifying God, drawing its name from Isaiah 58:11 which speaks of those who aid the hungry becoming like a “well-watered garden.”
To further foster a spirit of community and practical application of these principles, a friendly church competition for the best WWG implementation was introduced at the end of the training, an initiative that was met with great enthusiasm. The commitment of the attendees was further evidenced by perfect 100% attendance across all three days. Adding to the positive momentum, a news item about the training was recorded for a local radio station, offering a wonderful opportunity to share the impactful work with a broader audience and a memorable personal experience for those involved.
The enthusiasm and dedication witnessed in Chikankata signal a promising future for these participants and their community. EFI is confident that with the continued support of their local Zambian trainer for monitoring and guidance, this group will achieve significant advancements in their agricultural practices. The seeds of knowledge have been sown, and EFI eagerly anticipates celebrating the transformative stories of improved livelihoods and spiritual growth that will undoubtedly emerge from this initiative.