THE MAFISA METHOD
At Mafisa we work in collaboration with traditional farmers and the communities they live in, using a joined-up model which delivers long-term income security for all.
We focus on four connected areas of improvement:
Healthy cattle
Why?
Healthy cattle sell for higher prices.
How?
We provide vaccinations, regular spraying for ticks and deworming provided locally and at low cost to farmers.
So?
Healthy adult cattle give birth to healthy calves. More cattle go to market with a good health record and sell for better prices.
GOOD QUALITY GRASSLAND
Why?
Healthy grasslands offer better nutrition for cattle.
How?
The community agrees grazing plans so that grasslands can regenerate. We improve water supplies so farmers can graze livestock more widely. The community signs up to better fire management to reduce damage to grasslands.
So?
Grasslands recover and biodiversity is restored. More climate-resilient carbon-rich perennial grasses grow with deeper, stronger roots.
Ecological benefits of shifting from continuous grazing to rapid rotational grazing:
Continuous grazing
Rapid rotational grazing
FAIR MARKET ACCESS
Why?
There’s a growing demand for good quality sustainably produced beef. But even when traditional cattle farmers have high quality animals to sell, they struggle to connect to the market.
How?
We build local buying centres with good road access.
So?
Farmers sell directly to Zambia’s largest beef buyers. Profits stay in the community.
CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Why?
Everyone in the community needs a sustainable livelihood. About one third of people in our partner communities do not own cattle.
How?
We offer business development opportunities for the whole community including village savings and loans schemes, and we promote small scale agriculture.
So?
Women and youth build sustainable incomes. The whole community shares the commitment, the work and the benefits. We see less environmental damage because people don’t rely on unsustainable alternative livelihoods.
How we work
We work with local leadership, harness local knowledge and address local challenges.
THE CHALLENGE
THE MAFISA METHOD
HOW WE WORK
FINANCING TRANSFORMATION
RESULTS
BEYOND ZAMBIA
ABOUT US