#MEET Nthanda's Integrated Farm
This is a short interview we conducted with Sautso Mbendera, the creator of Nthanda's Integrated Farm. If you like this project and would like to vote for it, click here.
1. Please, tell us a bit about yourself: where are you from and what is your background?
I was born on 24th April 1986 in Mulanje District, Malawi. I completed my Secondary School and College in 2004 and 2009 respectively. I was not born in a well to do family but we struggled until I graduated. I started working with Farmers in 2011 and I learned a lot from them and began farming little by little.
2. Can you describe your idea or project in two sentences?
It is to do with the integration of several farming systems where a waste product of one system can be used an input for the other system. It will combine animal and crop production, value addition and social responsibility as well as lead to economic growth.
3. How did you get your idea or concept?
I got my idea from my research project in College and by interacting with farmers. I was a leader in the implementation of a climate adaptation project where by several interventions (goat and poultry, fish, fruit, and crop production) were being integrated and it excited me so much. I started in my own small garden production of crops, and fruits then rearing of chickens.
4. What is unique about your idea/project and how does it benefit mankind?
The uniqueness of my project is that it focuses on integrating farming systems of rare breeds of vegetables/herbs, fruits, poultry and fish using green energy which on its own is unique in Malawi. It benefits mankind as my project will not only eradicate hunger and improve nutrition to the rural masses, but it will also reduce employment levels among the youth, empower economic growth by imparting knowledge to the youth and providing them with start-up seed for their chosen enterprise.
5. Describe yourself as an entrepreneur in one sentence
Passionate, innovative and hard-working fellow.
6. How do you deal with people that doubt your abilities/initiatives?
I show them how successful I am in what am doing. I show results from what they doubted, I show them what my abilities can do to me and others.
7. Where does your passion lie?
Helping youth develop.
8. What are you afraid of or what keeps you up at night?
Failing to help my fellow youth achieve greatness.
9. According to you, money is a synonym for.....
Development.
10. If you could rid the world of three things, what would they be?
- Poverty
- Hunger
- Illiteracy
11. What are the benefits you take from the Entrepreneurship Campus?
I get to see and understand other ideas my fellow youth are conceiving and implementing around the world.I try to relate the ideas to the situation in my country and how they can help improve that situation.
12. What do you like more about the Entrepreneurship Campus?
The interaction that is there among the participants.
13. Which idea/project do you like most?
Growth and Technological Innovation in Modern Farming by Ayubu Massau.
NOTICE: If you want to see more submitted ideas and projects at the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition, visit BEST IDEAS and BEST PROJECTS and VOTE for the ones you think deserve to WIN the Competition!
