Association Helps Smallholder Vegetable Farmer Boost Productivity and Increase Profits

Cacilda Salmente owns a small vegetable farm in Chimoio, which is located in Manica Province, Mozambique. She is a member of an ACDI/VOCA-assisted association, which helps her to improve the quality of her products and minimize loss. The Kulima Kwakanaca Association also provides local market information and transportation support allowing her to sell her goods where she chooses for the greatest profit.

Prior to joining the association, her production was low. Even when the weather was favorable and production was average, she had serious transport problems.

“Since I started getting advice, training and technical assistance from ACDI/VOCA my life has improved tremendously. I never dreamed of producing 500 kgs of cucumber and 400 kgs of tomatoes in one year on a ¼ hectare farm. I can sell most of my products in the biggest market in town and I have a reliable client base,” Cacilda explains. “Thanks to ACDI/VOCA, I can make production estimates and do basic bookkeeping. I even opened a bank account—I am a true businesswoman.”