Hope Missions

Agriculture & Food Security

All of the people in the communities into which Hope Missions works are dependent upon agriculture for their livelihoods. If a person does not farm themselves, then their customers do and so if the crops are poor there will not only be limited food in the country but limited wealth to pay those who work in other trades. Hope Missions is committed to working with the village communities to develop sustainable, organic agricultural projects to alleviate dependence on expensive chemical fertilisers.

As part of our work we are always seeking to partner with other organisations who have greater expertise in this area as we recognise that it is neither effective nor efficient to reinvent the wheel. Accordingly we are currently exploring partnership opportunities with those involved in the Farming God's Way, agroforestry and other initiatives that seek to enrich the soil and improve crop yield organically.

Every agricultural programme is linked closely with discipleship as this is the backbone of all of the work of Hope Missions. While training the village farmers in the alternative farming methods the staff of Hope Missions also disciple them in the Word of God using applicable and relevant farming analogies that they will understand. We consider it important that people not only appreciate the greater crop yields that are generated by organic farming methods, but also that they appreciate why this is so and how God created the different ecosystems to hang in a fine balance. This enables us to talk with the beneficiaries about issues such as conservation, deforestation and other matters that affect their environment.

"Transforming communities through the implementation of programs which affect all areas of community life including: agriculture, education, economic empowerment, advocacy and discipleship, working through the local church and community leaders."