As a predominantly agrarian economy, farming and agriculture support and development in Africa is a real focus for many of our churches. In Ghana the church through small loans to farmers is helping them purchase better yielding seeds, more tools and fertilizer resulting in a greater harvest which in turn results in the need to hire labour. An example of yam and pineapple production has resulted in an increase in family income for all the loan recipients.

Conservation farming with minimum or zero tillage (where soil is left unturned by the plough or hoe) has been developed in Zimbabwe as ‘Farming God’s Way’. Through careful instruction and practice many small-scale farmers have increased their maize harvest remarkably often with in excess of a three-fold increase. Through extension of the local church in Zimbabwe and also through our church on the South African – Lesotho border, many farmers have benefited and been blessed by the involvement of the local churches.