As funding opportunities continue to shrink globally, WAVES-SL with long term management of funding has an alternative source of income has embarked on agricultural income-generating activities, specifically groundnut farming aimed at promoting organizational funds sustainability, improving staff welfare, and encouraging communities to actively participate in farming initiatives. This agricultural intervention introduced to address the growing challenge of donor fatigue while strengthening community involvement in productive agricultural activities also intends to serve as a uniting initiative for host community and also contributes to food security.
As part of its long-term development strategy, WAVES-SL continues to engage and involve communities in agriculture to promote self-reliance, unity, and economic growth. The organizational farm also serves as a practical demonstration initiative to motivate community members, especially women and youth, to actively participate in agriculture as a means of improving their livelihoods.
The monitoring visit was conducted to assess the progress of activities at the organizational farm site, engage with farmers and community members, and monitor crop performance. The visit also provided an opportunity to identify challenges, document achievements, and strengthen collaboration with the farming group. Equally important for the visit is to develop success stories from community members with regards the farming activities that could be shared donors and the general public through our social media handles.
Upon arrival in Kpar community, the monitoring team mobilized community members both men and women that are actively involved in the farming activities. Together with the community members, a conducted tour of the farmland was done.
The active involvement of women in the project demonstrates the initiative’s contribution toward women’s empowerment, inclusive participation, and community-driven development.
During the visit, interviews were conducted with women and men who expressed appreciation for the initiative and stated that the project has increased their understanding of the importance and benefits of embarking on agricultural activities.
They further explained that the farming activities are helping to strengthen unity, teamwork, and cooperation within the community. According to the participants, the project is creating hope for improved livelihoods and future food security.
The interviewed farmers pledged their continued support and commitment to the initiative and promised to work collectively towards building a stronger and more productive organizational farm in the coming farming seasons
The monitoring exercise recorded several positive achievements, including successful cultivation of farmland, active participation of both women and men, and healthy growth of the planted crops. The project has also contributed to increased awareness about agriculture, strengthened community unity, and encouraged greater participation in community development activities.
The monitoring visit to the WAVES-SL Organizational Farm in Kpar Community revealed encouraging progress and strong community commitment. The initiative is contributing not only to food production but also to community unity, cooperation, and economic empowerment.
The interaction between the monitoring team and community members was educational, interactive, and motivating. Community members expressed strong commitment toward sustaining and expanding the organizational farming initiative in the future.
Above all, the farming activity if sustained could serve as an alternative source of funding especially in the face of the growing donor fatigue experienced as a result of global events taking place coupled with the growing number of organizations relying on donor funding.
