They live in the village of Ankilinanjosoa in Anosy, a region which has suffered a series of droughts leading to the failures of multiple harvests.
Twenty-five women formed a grower’s association which has access to water as part of a project supported by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UN News/Daniel Dickinson
Tenefo Votsirasoa is a member of a women’s growers association in the village of Ankilinanjosoa.
It’s hoped a reliable way to irrigate their crops will not only help to build their resilience to the drought conditions but also allow them to make their own decisions about how to spend their money.
Ahead of World Water Day, marked annually on 22 March, farmer Tenefo Votsirasoa explains that access to water is everything.
“In this garden of around 500m2, we are growing maize, courgettes, greens, tomatoes, peppers, onions and sometimes beans. Maize especially needs a lot of water.
We get water from the village supply. It costs 100 ariary (2 US cents) for a 20-litre jerry can. We spend about 2,000 ariary (44 US cents) a day on water.
Before, if we wanted to cultivate crops we had to buy water which was collected from the river, which cost 500 to 1,000 ariary (11-22 US cents) per jerry can, so it was very expensive to grow any food.
We have a system of irrigation provided by UNICEF, which means our crops always get enough water. We do have to rent the pump to irrigate the field, but we hope one day as an association we will be able to buy our own pump, which will ultimately save us money.
UN News/Daniel Dickinson
Water is on tap for the first time in Ankilinanjosoa village.
Supporting the family
I have eight children, five girls and three boys, and now that I have access to family planning information, I will not have any more.
The girls come to help in the field after school. It is not our culture for boys to come. They stay home to study or do other work, for example, looking after cattle. My husband left home to find work and is living a long way away towards the north of the country.
Now I can provide enough food to feed my family and can sell the rest so I can afford to send the children to school and to pay for medical care. I am also saving some money.
United Nations
SDG 5
SDG 5: EMPOWER ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS
- End all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls
- Eliminate such harmful practices as early and forced marriages and female genital mutilation
- Adapt and strengthen legislation to promote gender equality and empower women and girls
- Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life
- Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care
Globally, almost half of all married women currently lack decision-making power over their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Village associations
The village has a population of about 1,200. Our association of farmers is made up of some of the women who have the fewest opportunities. We do not produce enough to feed everyone in the village, but many have the resources to buy food for themselves in the market.
The biggest change in my life is the independence that farming had given me. I don’t have to ask men for money as I have my own, and I don’t have to do what a man tells me to do, so I feel more equal. I think in the eyes of men, our independence is respected, and we have some worth as people.
I’m not interested in being more powerful than men; they also have an association in the village, so we can work alongside each other in our separate associations.
We have had four harvests so far, and I am very happy with our progress. It is a good idea to be in an association.
My tip for a good crop to grow is beans. If you plant 10 bags of seeds, you can harvest 100 bags of beans.”
UN in Madagascar
UN agencies work together across countries, including Madagascar. Here are some examples of what they do in the village of Ankilinanjosoa:
- The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supported the building of a well and 10m3 tank to collect and store fresh water as well as irrigation systems. Two kiosks selling water were opened, and water troughs were provided for farm animals.
- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided farmer training.
- The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) support a mobile clinic service which visits regularly offering a range of services
Simon Blake is an experienced journalist deeply interested in international affairs and global development. Having spent years reporting on humanitarian issues, he offers a unique perspective in his coverage of United Nations news.
How has the access to water impacted the financial independence of the women in the growers association?
The access to water has significantly transformed the financial independence of the women in our growers association. With reliable irrigation, we are now able to cultivate a variety of high-demand crops, reducing our dependency on expensive water sources. This has not only increased our crop yield but has also lowered our daily expenses on water, allowing us to allocate more funds towards improving our livelihoods and empowering us to make informed financial decisions.
Access to water is crucial for the success of farmers like Tenefo Votsirasoa. It’s inspiring to see how initiatives supported by organizations like UNICEF are making a real difference in improving the lives of communities in drought-affected regions.
Access to water is crucial for these women farmers in Ankilinanjosoa. With the support of UNICEF, they now have a reliable irrigation system that allows them to grow a variety of crops, empowering them to make independent choices on how to utilize their earnings. This initiative is a significant step towards achieving financial freedom in the region.
Fantastic to see the positive impact of providing access to water for these women in Ankilinanjosoa. It’s heartwarming to hear Tenefo Votsirasoa share how access to water empowers them to make their own choices and improve their agricultural activities. This kind of support is truly life-changing for communities affected by droughts.
How has the support provided by UNICEF impacted other aspects of the community in Ankilinanjosoa? Are there plans to expand this project to neighboring villages?
UNICEF’s support has had a significant ripple effect on the community of Ankilinanjosoa. Beyond just access to water for irrigation, the project has led to increased food security, improved nutrition, and boosted economic opportunities for the villagers. As for expanding the project to neighboring villages, there are indeed plans in motion to replicate this successful model and empower more communities in the region.
As a woman farmer myself, I can relate to the struggles these women face in Ankilinanjosoa. It’s inspiring to see them come together to form the grower’s association and have access to water for their crops. Access to water is indeed crucial for successful farming, and I applaud the efforts of UNICEF in supporting such projects.
As a member of the women’s growers association in Ankilinanjosoa, Tenefo Votsirasoa’s story truly highlights the significance of access to water for agricultural sustainability. It’s inspiring to see how empowerment through water irrigation not only aids in cultivating various crops effectively but also contributes to financial independence for these women. The impact of such initiatives reaches far beyond the fields, bringing hope and resilience to communities facing challenging conditions.
It is inspiring to see the women of Ankilinanjosoa taking charge of their future by forming the growers association. Access to water is essential for successful farming, and it’s empowering to hear about their journey towards financial independence through sustainable agriculture practices.
Do the women in the grower’s association receive any training on how to manage the irrigation system effectively?
Access to water is crucial for these women in Southern Madagascar. It’s great to see initiatives like the UNICEF-supported project making a positive impact on their livelihoods and empowering them to take charge of their finances. Hopefully, this will lead to long-term sustainability for their community.
Does the women’s growers association have any plans for expanding their crops or implementing additional projects in the future?
As a woman myself, I truly admire the determination and hard work of Tenefo Votsirasoa and her fellow women in the growers association. Access to water is vital for their crops and economic independence. It’s inspiring to see how they are taking control of their own destiny by utilizing the resources provided to them. I hope their success serves as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.