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International Women's Day 2009

In Spring, 2008, we launched our first ever Commercial Integrated Farming Initiative (CIFI), a program which will train 3,000 women over the course of three years with training in how to use sustainable farming practices to grow crops that can both be sold for profit in the local market and feed their families. To view photos of the CIFI launch in Sudan and breaking groundin Rwanda, click on an image.

CIFI Sudan
A sign stands at the entrance of the Sudan CIFI project area.
CIFI Sudan
Women in the program prepare the ground for the harvest by plowing dirt and laying compost to help fertilize the soil.
CIFI Sudan
Grace Fisiy has traveled to both Rwanda and Sudan to oversee the progress and implementation of the CIFI project. She is an expert in training to provide specialized, sustainable agribusiness opportunities to program participants.
CIFI Sudan
Participants are planting under supervision of farming specialists with a variety of trial crops that cover about 37 acres. Eventually, the program will include 3,000 women who will run a cooperative agribusiness on over 148 acres of farmland.
CIFI Sudan
Women in the program learn how to clean and cultivate various crops including okra, bell peppers and collared greens before they can be used for food or sold in the markets.
CIFI Sudan
Currently, 880 women are being trained on land use, irrigation, crop types, and farming techniques as well as marketing of their products.
CIFI Sudan
Because of supporters like you, in just a few months, a plot of land that was once empty and unused has become green and lush, the ground covered with collard greens, bell peppers, watermelon, okra and more. A few hotels in Rumbek are already receiving small deliveries of vegetables, and have expressed great satisfaction with the quality of the product.
CIFI Sudan
The trials have shown that a variety of vegetables, including green peppers, egg plants, kale, tomatoes, and cowpeas are doing extremely well.
CIFI Sudan
Deputy Governor of Lake State, Awan Guol Riak at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Women for Women CIFI launch.
CIFI Sudan
Karak Mayik, Country Director of Sudan for Women for Women International, walking with Deputy Governor of Lake State, Awan Guol Riak.
CIFI Sudan
Through CIFI women are introduced to modern irrigation systems, organic integrated agriculture and a commercial approach to farming that includes market oriented food production.
CIFI Sudan
The CIFI program is currently raising funds to start poultry farms, dairies, fish farming, and goat rearing.
CIFI Sudan
The Deputy Governor of Sudan donated a vehicle to the organization that will help transporting their crops to markets in town.
CIFI Sudan
A sign of one of the partners in training in Rwanda.
CIFI Sudan
The site of the CIFI pilot program in Rwanda, where demonstration farms will be set up for the program.
CIFI Rwanda
The beginnings of a kitchen garden before the crops have grown. Natural fertilizer, including trash, are thrown on the kitchen gardens to help the process.
CIFI Rwanda
Kitchen gardens are encouraged and heavily used in Rwanda as they maximize the use of space and time for growth.
CIFI Rwanda
Red peppers are just some of the crops that women in Rwanda are planting in the CIFI program.
CIFI Rwanda
The beginnings of a harvest start to sprout in the gardens.

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