Chad: Tractor Tiller for Humanist Zai Farm
Chad: Tractor Tiller for Humanist Zai Farm
Tractor Tiller for Humanist Collective Zai Farm
N’djamena Humanists Collective
N’djamena, Chad
Members: Mustapha Sulihat (22, F) mustihatu@gmail.com Saleh Ismail (23, M) salehmailatu@gmail.com Adoum Samuel (27, M) adoumsamuel@gmail.com Abubakar Usman Abdu (27, M) usmanabduabubakar2@gmail.com Ibn Mahadi Tahir (29, Male) ibnmahaditahir@gmail.com
Email: usmanabduabubakar2@gmail.com Phone: +2356206161749 Website or Facebook page? None
What does humanism mean to you?
My humanism is influenced by my curiosity, since I cannot attend school. I am an autodidact who loves to read. My reading first introduced me to atheism books, that of Richard Dawkins and the paleontologist Stephen Jay Goulds. I was convinced there is no God and still yet somehow convinced we have to be good humans, atheism didn’t give me this. Humanism did, and many YouTube videos cemented my faith in secular humanism. I live my life as a humanist, I try to be good to my neighbors, indulge in moderate hedonism, and contribute to the greater good of mankind.
Project Description
This project seeks $1,200 in funding to purchase a powerful hand-driven tiller to support the Zai farming activities of the N’Djamena Humanist Collective. The group is engaged in Large-scale agriculture using the Zai method, a climate-resilient farming technique that involves digging planting pits to restore degraded land and improve water retention. However, the current manual method of land preparation is extremely labor-intensive, time-consuming, and limits the size of land that can be cultivated. By acquiring a durable and efficient hand tiller, the collective will significantly reduce the physical burden of soil preparation, increase the speed and scale of farm operations, and improve overall productivity. The machine will be shared among members and used collectively to prepare land for planting, mix organic matter into the soil, and maintain the farm throughout the growing season. This will enable the group to expand cultivated areas, improve crop yields, and enhance food security for members and their families. In addition, increased productivity will allow the collective to sell surplus produce, generating income to sustain and expand their activities. The Hand driven machine tiller will serve as a long-term asset that strengthens cooperation among members, promotes sustainable agriculture, and empowers the community through practical, income-generating work aligned with humanist values of self-reliance and mutual support.
Budget -
Powerful Hand-Driven Tractor Tiller (1 unit) – $1,200 Heavy-duty, fuel-efficient hand driven tiller suitable for dry and compact soils Durable engine with replaceable parts Includes basic accessories and maintenance tools Designed for Large-scale and cooperative farming use
Total: $1,200
Expected Income from Project, with Timeline
Although the primary goal of the project is to improve agricultural productivity and food security, the use of a mechanized tiller will enable the group to cultivate larger areas of land more efficiently, leading to increased crop yields. Within the first growing season (approximately 3–4 months after acquisition), the group expects to see improved harvest outputs. Surplus produce will be sold in local markets, generating an estimated income of $150–$300 per harvest cycle depending on crop type and market conditions. Over the course of a year, with multiple planting cycles, this could result in approximately $600–$1,000 in additional income. The tiller may also be rented out at low cost to nearby farmers, generating small supplementary income while strengthening community relations.
Benefits to your Community
Benefits of the Program to the Community
Improved agricultural efficiency and reduced manual labor
Increased crop yields and better food security
Income generation through sale of surplus produce
Access to shared farming equipment for community members
Promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices
Strengthened cooperation and collective work among members
Economic empowerment of marginalized individuals
Long-term asset that supports community development