St. Matia reaps an abundant harvest

The St. Matia Mulumba Maize Garden has exceeded expectations with its first crop, providing a bountiful harvest that will feed more schoolchildren than anticipated. The 14,560 kilograms (about 32,099 lbs.) seed crop surpassed the initial estimate by 2,860 kilograms.

Sixty percent of the seed is milled into maize flour used for school lunches and the remainder goes for animal feed.

“If we used the funds (about $6,086) for the Maize Garden Project to buy on the market, as we have been doing, we would have bought a total amount of 6,300 kgs,” reported Father Charles Lugenda, St. Matia pastor. “And there would be no animal feed.”

The abundant harvest will fund the school lunch for the first and second school terms (February to September), feeding each learner 5 kilograms per term. The higher yield will also allow St. Matia to expand the school lunch program from 11 to 14 schools. The parish will plant another crop, which they hope will provide flour for the third term (September to December).

“It has to be said that this financial donation has awakened in us a special pride and enthusiasm while working in this garden to feed our children,” said Father Charles. “Put differently, this donation has been a life-changer investment in our community, urging us on to grow maize and, with due diligence, be self-supporting. It is indeed doable!”

▶St. Matia Maize Garden first harvest