Tractor farming and malaria mosquito control in sub-Saharan Africa
A community empowerment and sustainable approach
How We work
Improving public health and catalyzing
economic growth in rural communities, one tractor at a time.
Overview
MATE (Mosquito Abatement Through Empowerment), in partnership with Yotor Farmers Association, aims to revolutionize malaria control in rural African communities by initiating locally funded larval mosquito control programs. These communities currently rely on subsistence farming, using rudimentary tools and livestock. MATE will introduce tractors that will not only enhance agricultural productivity, but also be equipped to manage water sources, which are crucial for both irrigation and preventing mosquito larval proliferation. A portion of the increased farming revenue will sustain the mosquito control program. This model not only fosters economic and social upliftment but also empowers communities to break the cycle of malaria that plagues them.
Introduction
Poverty and malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa form a vicious cycle, causing generational harm. While strides have been made by international organizations through the distribution of bed nets, this approach often fosters a reliance on external aid.
The Problem
Malaria is a parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes, with reinfections being common. Stagnant water serves as mosquito breeding grounds, making it critical to manage water resources effectively. Existing efforts that rely on bed nets and short-term solutions are not sufficient to maintain long-term community health.
The Solution
MATE and Yotor Farmers Association introduces a sustainable and locally funded model for malaria control. By providing tractors, we enable subsistence farmers to boost agricultural productivity and manage water resources effectively. The tractor attachments
facilitate larval control, either by redirecting stagnant water or applying larvicides. Revenue generated from increased farming supports the continual purchase of insecticides and upkeep,
breaking the dependency on international donors.
Project Goals
MATE, in partnership with Yotor Farmers Association, has structured the project into three sequential phases. Each phase aims to progressively empower rural communities to sustain both mechanized farming and a locally funded malaria mosquito control program.
Immediate Phase (Year 1)
Objective: Establish the foundation for farming and mosquito control.
o Acquisition of multi-purpose tractors for farming and water management.
o Designation of farming revenue for essential mosquito control measures.
o Train community members in mosquito monitoring and larvicidal applications.
Mid-term Phase (Years 2-3)
Objective: Institutionalize a community-managed mosquito control program.
o Hire part-time workers for adult mosquito monitoring and larval control.
o Share mosquito data with the local health ministry and academic institutions.
o Dedicate a percentage of farming income to improve community infrastructure.
Long-term Phase (Post-Year 3)
Objective: Enhance community infrastructure to reduce malaria transmission. o Utilize community funds to retrofit dwellings to prevent mosquito entry.
Delivery of one of the new tractors to Debre Markos University
Progress
Yotor Farmers Association is fully committed to the MATE program and has made significant strides in its implementation:
1. Community Engagement: Formed collaborative partnerships with two villages: Webi Enchifo in Debre Markos (East Gojam) and Tibaga near Addis Zemen (South Gondar). Each village encompasses approximately 275 households.
2. Regulatory Approval: We have obtained approval from regional and local Health Bureaus to conduct mosquito monitoring.
3. Technical Training: Strategically collaborated with Dr. Getnet Atnafu of Debre Markos University, leveraging his expertise for training the community in larval mosquito identification and mosquito abundance monitoring.
4. Needs Assessment: In partnership with Yotor, MATE conducted community surveys in the pilot villages, as required for Rotary International for Global Grant eligibility. The surveys revealed that the villages prioritize improvements in farming, education, food access, and malaria reduction. 5. Funding: Successfully bridged a crucial partnership between the Rotary Clubs of Alameda, CA (USA), and Addis Ababa East (Ethiopia), marking a significant step towards funding from a Rotary International Global
Project Goals
MATE, in partnership with Yotor Farmers Association, has structured the project into three sequential phases. Each phase aims to progressively empower rural communities to sustain both mechanized farming and a locally funded malaria mosquito control program.