Here's a story from the archives that's too hilarious to be left untold!
Cassava is a staple crop in many African countries so when this crop is threatened it has a very negative impact on many of the most vulnerable. Unfortunately this is exactly what has occurred over the past few years in many areas where we work.
A disease called the Mosaic Virus has been attacking the root of the Cassava plant. Since the root is what is harvested, this particular virus has caused severe food shortages in many parts of Africa. Hunger arrives quickly as the most affected people are the ones with the fewest options.
In an effort to defend the food supply from such diseases and to promote food stability and security, FH Canada has been supporting the planting of a new variety of cassava. We have been able to distribute millions of seedlings and the results have been much better than expected. The yields are much higher than the old variety and the plants mature sooner as well.
Not too long ago, under the cover of darkness, a hungry thief crept into a field to steal some cassava for himself. What he didn’t know is that this farmer had planted this new type of cassava. The thief pulled out the first plant and was amazed with the size of the tuber (root). Instead of being hollow as usual, it was healthy and full. Astounded, the thief marched up to the farmer's mud adobe home, woke him up and said, "Sorry for stealing your cassava, but do you have any idea what's growing in your field?"
We had been told by the staff and farmers that they were very happy with the results, but this report from a "would be thief" is probably the best indicator of how successful this project has been and how many people will be helped by the distribution of this new variety of cassava.
Hopefully the thief was able to get some of this new mosaic resistant variety too, so he could plant his own crop and mend his ways.
If you would like to contribute to FH Canada farming initiatives, check out our gift guide. By purchasing seeds, toolkits, training and saplings you can make a difference in the success of farmers around the world! www.fhcanada.org/gifts.
A disease called the Mosaic Virus has been attacking the root of the Cassava plant. Since the root is what is harvested, this particular virus has caused severe food shortages in many parts of Africa. Hunger arrives quickly as the most affected people are the ones with the fewest options.
In an effort to defend the food supply from such diseases and to promote food stability and security, FH Canada has been supporting the planting of a new variety of cassava. We have been able to distribute millions of seedlings and the results have been much better than expected. The yields are much higher than the old variety and the plants mature sooner as well.
Not too long ago, under the cover of darkness, a hungry thief crept into a field to steal some cassava for himself. What he didn’t know is that this farmer had planted this new type of cassava. The thief pulled out the first plant and was amazed with the size of the tuber (root). Instead of being hollow as usual, it was healthy and full. Astounded, the thief marched up to the farmer's mud adobe home, woke him up and said, "Sorry for stealing your cassava, but do you have any idea what's growing in your field?"
We had been told by the staff and farmers that they were very happy with the results, but this report from a "would be thief" is probably the best indicator of how successful this project has been and how many people will be helped by the distribution of this new variety of cassava.
Hopefully the thief was able to get some of this new mosaic resistant variety too, so he could plant his own crop and mend his ways.
If you would like to contribute to FH Canada farming initiatives, check out our gift guide. By purchasing seeds, toolkits, training and saplings you can make a difference in the success of farmers around the world! www.fhcanada.org/gifts.
