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Missio USA Representatives Happy with Progress at Chipunga Farm

Keith, Magwira, Fr Bundi and Fr John appreciating the way Chipunga Farm takes care for its Nursery while still at the nursery bed.
Missio USA Representatives Happy with Progress at Chipunga Farm

By Stephano Nkhata

The Chief Lending Officer for Missio Invest Africa Mr. Keith Polo and the Regional Coordinator Fr.  Celestino Bundi Mutea recently visited Chipunga Farm Limited to check on the progress being made at the farm especially on the two main crops, coffee and macadamia.

The Diocese of Karonga acquired the farm with a loan obtained from Missio USA to engage into serious agricultural production as a drive towards self-sustainability. Currently most activities of the Diocese are funded by partners.

Activities on the farm began immediately after the farm was handed over to the Diocese on 4th January, 2018. The Diocese has planned to invest in coffee and macadamia nuts production. The farm covers an area of 286.876 hectares and the Diocese intends to have 150 hectares of coffee and 100 hectares of macadamia nuts.

During the visit to Chipunga Farm, Polo and Fr. Bundi were accompanied by Father John Chitsulo of Blantyre Archdiocese and Mr Duncan Magwira from the Episcopal conference of Malawi who is currently the coordinating person for Missio funded projects in Malawi.

Resource Mobilisation Officer (in white) Stephano Nkhata welcoming visitors at Chipunga Farm (From Left Keith Polo, Fr Bundi and Fr Chitsulo
Resource Mobilisation Officer (in white) Stephano Nkhata welcoming visitors at Chipunga Farm (From Left Keith Polo, Fr Bundi and Fr Chitsulo

Stephano Nkhata gave background information for  Chipunga Farm to  the  visitors and later on  supported by  James Kasambala went  to the coffee  and  macadamia nursery  beds to  show  them what  we  are  actually doing on  the  ground.

James Kasambara and Stephano Nkhata leading the group to the nursery that the farm is preparing in readiness for the 2019-2020 planting season which begins in December
James Kasambara and Stephano Nkhata leading the group to the nursery that the farm is preparing in readiness for the 2019-2020 planting season which begins in December

About 48 000 seedlings of coffee have been raised and others amounting to 40 000, seeds of coffee have been sown on a nursery bed still for the same purpose. The farm has a yearly target of 20 ha of coffee each year and one ha contains 4 000 seedlings on a one meter spacing depending on variety of the coffee.

Keith, Magwira, Fr Bundi and Fr John appreciating the way Chipunga Farm takes care for its Nursery while still at the nursery bed.
Keith, Magwira, Fr Bundi and Fr John appreciating the way Chipunga Farm takes care for its nursery while still at the nursery bed.

Keith Polo and friends were later shown the nursery for macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts take about two years before being transplanted into the main field.

The visitors at macadamia nursery. James Kasambala explaining to Keith Polo and Fr Bundi what it takes to raise one seedling of macadamia nuts
The visitors at macadamia nursery. James Kasambala explaining to Keith Polo and Fr Bundi what it takes to raise one seedling of macadamia nuts

After  this, the  visitors  were taken  to  the main field  where  the  farm  has  this  year planted 20 ha of  coffee.The picture below shows group members on a farm vehicle on  their  way  the main field.

Keith and Fr Bundi were happy to be at the back of the vehicle enjoying the cool weather of Chipunga Farm
Keith and Fr Bundi were happy to be at the back of the vehicle enjoying the cool weather of Chipunga Farm

 

An established macadamia nuts plantation at Chipunga Farm
An established macadamia nuts plantation at Chipunga Farm

 

Fr Bundi and Stephano appreciating the newly planted coffee bushes at Chipunga Farm
Fr Bundi and Stephano appreciating the newly planted coffee bushes at Chipunga Farm

The visitors were quite impressed to see the pace and progress of the major activities of the farm. They advised the team at the farm on areas that need constant attention.

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