Foundations for Farming Burundi is part of a mission to see the poor raised up and empowered so that they can play an active part in bringing about positive change and development in their communities and nation.
Foundations for Farming (FfF) believe that is God’s solution to end the food crisis and eradicate hunger in Burundi through the teaching and implementation of FfF, and specifically the Pfumvudza concept.
A Pfumvudza plot feeds a family of 6 for a full year and is 32 times smaller than the 2 hectares of land a poor farmer would usually need to sustain their family from, when using conventional farming methods.
Foundations for Farming is an initiative, pioneered in Zimbabwe, that implements the principles of conservation agriculture alongside high standards of management. In addition to these, Foundations for Farming teaches biblical principles to bring transformation to individuals, communities and nations through faithful and productive use of the land, leading to long-term sustainable development and application of the Gospel to their lives.
Typically, a small-scale farmer will be able to:
1. Grow enough food to sustain their family
2. Sell the surplus, so gain an income for living expenses
3. Give away to others
Yields are significantly higher (average 10x) than conventional farming methods, when principles are applied faithfully, and the same land is used year after year. This brings land/soil restoration and replenishes the land by ending soil erosion and repairing damaged soil structures.
Every lesson of the Foundations for Farming is structured around the word of God. The whole course is centred on Christ. In fact the key passage that they would say is the moto for FfF is, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Cor 3:11. Jesus laid the foundation when He created the world, He established an order or a divine structure that all creation might follow and everything, was good.
As a result, there is a complete reconciliation of the body, through a balanced diet from our crops and gardens, wholeness of spirit and soul through the discovery of God in all we do, and finally, healing and restoration of the land as we learn to keep and conserve the land.
