Communities:
Livelihoods
In the areas in which Gemfields operates, communities often lack any form of steady income to lift them out of poverty. In remoter areas, subsistence farming is the norm, but it is unsustainable in the long term, as it creates no food or income security; subsistence farmers are only able to provide food for themselves and sell what little is left in a piecemeal way.
Our approach is to fund high-impact livelihood projects, in particular with farming associations that produce year-round food crops and rear animals as a form of income. With each livelihood project, after a period of initial funding and training support we hand them over for full ownership by the community, and whilst we will continue to provide emergency help should they need it, the intention is that the community recognises the long-term benefit of the project and manages it themselves. We are particularly conscious of the importance of economic inclusion and actively seek out ways to co-operate with women’s and youth groups.
Total Beneficiaries To Date:
2,504
Total Spent
USD 451,315
Donation of solar lamps to displaced families, Mozambique
Donation of 4,000 solar lamps to internally displaced families in Mozambique
Project funded by website donations and Gemfields Foundation’s unrestricted funds.
Namanhumbir Chicken Farm, Mozambique
Construction of chicken farm, training of association members, funding first three cycles with a total of 6,000 chickens.
Project completed and funded by MRM.
Conservation Farming, Mozambique
MRM aims to ensure that the local community benefits from the presence of the company in a way that is both sustainable and meaningful. Mozambique´s economy is agriculture-based, predominated by subsistence farming which accounts for over 75% of food production in the country. Women are the main providers, providing up to 70% of the necessary agricultural labour. MRM supports integrated, prosperous and sustainable agricultural development among the communities surrounding the concession. As such, it has partnered with over 400 farmers in different villages across seven associations, providing them with training and financial support to help move them away from subsistence farming to a more sustainable conservation technique.
We spoke with Mingas Langa, 43, who is married with two daughters and a resident of Nthoro Village. From MRM, Mingas received several seeds for cultivation, pesticides and technical assistance. She said: “With the support of MRM, it was possible to produce peanuts, peas, beans and corn. I significantly increased my production and my income with the sale of these products. With this new income, I’ll be able to carry out my dream project to encourage entrepreneurship among adolescents and young people, helping them to earn their own income and decide for themselves before committing to early marriages.’’ MRM continues to encourage a more efficient agriculture practice, which will contribute to food security and make a positive impact on local people.
Project completed and funded by MRM.
Aiming to empower local women
Nanune Chicken Farm, Mozambique
Construction of chicken farm, training of 12 association members, funding first three cycles with a total of 4,000 chickens.
Project completed and funded by MRM.
Treadle pump loans to farmers, Zambia
Kagem supports farmers in four co-operatives: Kapila Green Farms, Blessing Now (Chantete Farms), Twende and Twasanta.
Mary, Florence, Gladys and their colleagues in the Twasanta co-operative are working hard on their plots to produce fresh vegetables to sell to Kagem Mine for the staff canteen.
They use treadle pumps provided by the mine to ensure their fields are irrigated during the dry season.
Project completed and funded by Kagem Limited.
Community farming associations, Zambia
Set up and initial training and funding for 30 farmers.
Project completed and funded by Kagem Limited.
