Farmer-to-Farmer is a USAID-funded initiative, which sends American agricultural/agribusiness experts to developing countries to offer technical assistance to our host organizations. These trips are volunteer-based, but all trip-related expenses are covered by CNFA, and typically last between two and three weeks.
TOPGEL is a 9200 hectare farm in Kenge Village, M’Banza Kongo Municipality, Angola. Started in 2010 by Agostinho Antonio Pedro Gurgelo, about half of the 9200 hectares are currently in production. The farm employs 49 permanent workers (8 women), and another 140 temporary workers as needed during the year. The farm struggles with plant propagation and transplanting from the nursery to the field, grafting, and orchard management. The farmer has requested an F2F volunteer in order to increase production levels while also experimenting with new citrus varieties.
• Improved production/management techniques.
• Improved variety of fruits being produced.
• Increase in production levels and sales.
• Willingness to work for a week or more in rural Angola.
• Agronomist/expert with experience in grafting (particularly citrus).
• Experience working with farmer cooperatives.
• Must be citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.