June 26, 2023
News
Zambia's Western Province is rich in mangoes. But tons of the fruit go to waste every year. Due to a lack of processing plants, the mangoes are not processed in time and instead of being used, they gradually rot. Caritas Czech Republic is trying to change this. In Western province of Zambia, we supported farmer and entrepreneur Kaingu who wants to process the mango crop efficiently and employ local people at the same time.
Refreshing drink and a source of livelihood
Kaingu has lived his entire life in Zambia's Western Province and dreams of contributing to the development of his home region, one of the poorest in the country. Making a refreshing mango drink is the right path for him. “We are very rich with mangos in the Western Province, but they always go to waste because they cannot be processed. Yet mangoes have great potential. I thought of making juice and smoothies out of it," Kaingu says of his plan.
Mangoes are a widely produced fruit in Zambia. However, it spoils quickly and most of the crop is thrown away because mangoes are mostly eaten fresh. If it is to add value, mango must be stored and processed properly. However, there is a lack of adequate processing facilities in Western Province. Kaingu believes his business will be a success and help reduce unnecessary waste. It will also have other nice benefits.
"Especially on hot summer days, a refreshing mango drink will come in handy," smiles Kaingu outside his processing plant, which we visit on one of those hot days when the temperature reaches thirty-five degrees. We refresh ourselves with the sweet and chilled mango drink and have to agree with Kaingu. The mango drink offers not only a pleasant refreshment during hot weather, but also provides energy for the rest of the day.
Supporting local communities and farmers
Kaingu is one of the farmers and entrepreneurs that Caritas Czech Republic has supported in Western Province together with the Czech Development Agency. The farmers, who came up with their own ideas for processing mangoes, cassava or cashew nuts - crops that Western Province is rich in - took part in a year-long entrepreneurship course. After successfully completing the course, Caritas Czech Republic selected the top five participants to support them in their businesses. We helped the entrepreneurs put their ideas into practice and provided regular mentoring. We also help farmers with market access.
"Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, I was able to open this processing plant. I thank God every day that Caritas supported me," Kaingu says gratefully, adding that his business will help employ several other people in his community. "You see, there is a lot of poverty in our community. So I was thinking how I can help the local people and opening a processing plant was one way. I will employ about thirteen people to help me with the work," says Kaingu, a farmer and now also an entrepreneur.
Kaingu's processing plant will not only capitalise on the large mango crop and employ local people from disadvantaged communities, but also provide work for other farmers in the area. In fact, Kaingu plans to source mangoes from farmers who have been encouraged by Caritas Czech Republic to start growing the crop.
Caritas Czech Republic has supported about 90 smallholder farmers in Western Province to grow mangoes, cassava or cashew nut. Their crops are then bought by entrepreneurs like Kaingu, who have attended an entrepreneurship course and come up with ideas for their own businesses.
Sixty-two-year-old Kaingu plans to continue developing his processing plant and employ more people from poor communities. He dreams of one day selling his mango drinks abroad. "Maybe even in the Czech Republic," Kaingu smiles hopefully.
Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia
In 2023, Caritas Czech Republic celebrates ten years of humanitarian aid and development cooperation in Zambia. We are active in the country in a number of areas. We help farmers adapt to climate change, using innovations in agriculture and efficient farming methods. We support entrepreneurs like Kainga to process traditional crops and employ local people. We are also focusing on supporting refugees. Together with the UNHCR, of which we are the main partner in Zambia, we support refugees so that they can go to university and become self-sufficient. We also support refugees to learn a trade and set up their own business.
In our ten years of work in Zambia, we have worked on improving access to and quality of maternal and child care, and developed training of midwives in the Western Province. Currently, we focus on support production and consumption of nutritious food, working towards eradication of malnutrition in children.
The project "Increasing productivity and supporting the development of mango, cassava and organic fertilizer value chains in Western Province, Zambia" is funded by the Czech Development Agency.
