MASAAI
ROMBO MANYATTA
We are convinced the implementation of a self-sustaining approach that will continuously generate food and income to fund our key initiatives, is the most effective way to address our food issues.
Farming:
Our Moran Chief Commander has been given permission to use a 2-acre fertile land parcel next to the land he harvests with his family to help fund Manyatta needs. This parcel has good access to water and is conveniently located next to the main local, just a few kilometers away from the Manyatta and adjacent to the nearby town of Mailitato.
Our plan is underway to prepare the land and start the cultivation of maize no later than this September 2013. Seeds, pesticide, tools and even a tractor has been hired. Morans, including the Chief Commander himself are busy getting the land prepared. The maize we harvest will be used for our consumption and profits from the sale of the unused crop will be used to fund key priorities and the cultivation of tomato. Most of the tomato we will harvest will be sold as tomato is not a staple food in our diet – most of our needs are satisfied from the tomato harvested in the other farms we work. From the income of generated by the sale of tomatoes, our plan is to save for future crop cultivation, Manyatta priorities and eventually invest in business that will generate even more funds.
Food
Pesticide Business:
Profits from our farming activities will hopefully generate sufficient funds to start other profitable businesses. One possibility is to start the sale of pesticides, which we can buy in neighboring Tanzania and sell in our area with decent profits.
Animal Trading:
Animal trading at the weekly town markets is typically reserved for the Elders. As Morans, most of us have not yet married, have not aaccumulated nor have been gifted any cows or any other animals when marrying to our wives. However, cattle trading is in our blood.
Profits from farming and pesticide business will allow for 40,000 Ksch / 50 USD in profits, sufficient for the purchase of acow. As our income increases, we also hope to trade goats and sheep to further generate more funds for the needs of our Manyatta.
Milk Trading:
As the increasing funds from our activities improves the conditions in our Manyatta with water, food and a healthier environment, our Mothers will have more time to also get involved with income generation from the sale of milk from November through mid-May when the cattle return to our Manyatta.
This is the concept behind our current self-sustaining income plan:
