Six women’s VSLAs, totaling 180 women responsible for the support of 1,080 individuals, were given drought-tolerant and early maturing maize and bean seeds. The yields of these climate-adapted seeds were reported to be at least double the previous yields for most of the groups. The women and their dependents are now food secure, and there is surplus to sell for other community members’ consumption and planting. SACLP leaders are assessing the reasons for lower production by 2 or 3 groups so that problems can be resolved.

The success of this project led us to give the same varieties of seed to the other six women’s groups founded by Alec, with the same success. The communities around them have followed their example by planting the improved seeds, purchased from the women’s groups. Overall production and food security have improved throughout the area.