Heifer Hong Kong 20th Anniversary Challenge

About Heifer Hong Kong

Founded in 2000, Heifer Hong Kong is committed to alleviating poverty and meeting the needs of rural communities in Mainland China by helping farm families achieve a sustainable livelihood through animal husbandry and growing high-value crops in an eco-friendly manner.

Through multi-party cooperation, Heifer Hong Kong facilitates the development of rural cooperatives, thereby lifting smallholder farmers out of poverty and achieving integrated sustainable development in the community.

Recipient families promise to “Pass on the Gift” of livestock or the money equivalent, knowledge and skills learned to help other families become better off, setting off a multiplier effect that benefits many more families.

Until now, Heifer has implemented and funded 96 poverty alleviation projects in rural China, lifting over 310,500 impoverished farmers out of poverty.

20th Anniversary Special Series

One animal can bring limitless life to the land. It can also give rural villages a brighter future. Over the last 20 years, Heifer Hong Kong has been developing unique poverty alleviation solutions according to the geographical factors and available resources of each location. We help local farmers leverage their competitive advantages and develop eco-agriculture, ultimately enabling impoverished families to achieve a sustainable livelihood.

Worm Composting

Charles Darwin recognized earthworm as the most valuable living thing on Earth. Earthworms can turn livestock manure and food scraps into organic fertilizer. Their wiggling loosens soil and improves soil health.

Case Study:

Heifer Hong Kong taught farmers from Hebei Laiyuan Qichen Cooperative to use cow manure to grow earthworms.  The rich compost can then be used to plant organic millet and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs.  We have also arranged the cooperative members to visit worm farms in Hebei Xintang County and southeastern Guizhou. In May 2019, the farmers started growing 1,000 kg of earthworms in 2.5 mu of field as a trial.

Benefits:

• Solve the problem of cattle manure disposal
• Earthworm is high in protein, making it a superfood for livestock
• Their high reproduction rate enable farmers to earn 6,000 yuan per mu from selling earthworms
• Extra organic compost can be sold at 300 yuan each ton
• Lay the foundation for the cooperative’s development of circular agriculture

To learn more about 20th Anniversary Special Series