The Seeds Project
Money to buy seeds is sent to some of the projects supported by the Trust, where a particular need has been identified. This helps rural families to improve the quality of maize and vegetables they grow.
Mrs Nkoma of Chisekesi and her son in her maize field
The seed project was originally started in the early 1990s by Mrs Peggy Beck who had for many years worked at the Falconer's Children's Home, Kabulamema in Northwestern Province, and recognised the need for seeds for rural farmers. At the time we were able to purchase appropriate seeds and send the seeds by post to farmers in outlying areas. The parcels ranged from small packets of seeds purchased by housewives doing their shopping to larger consignments from seed manufacturers. But it became impossible to send seed owing to new legislation which required that all seeds planted had to be produced in Zambia. It was therefore decided to find reliable organisations to which money could be sent with the specific aim that it be used for the purchase of seeds. June Chadwick went to Zambia in 2001 and with the help of Gretta Hudson, Zambia Women and AIDs, and the Zambia Alliance of Women, we were able to send money for seeds to a number of villages and orphanages. Money for seeds is now sent only to organisations which ZST already supports.