COG Development Program Update: Douglas Kachilima’s Maize Project Shows Strong Progress

Late last year, Church of God Network awarded a COG Development Grant to Douglas Kachilima of Zimbabwe to support the cultivation of one hectare of maize. The grant provided funding for land preparation, seed, fertilizer, herbicides, and other essential farming inputs with the goal of helping Douglas build sustainable income for his family while creating opportunities for future growth.

We’re excited to share an update on the project.

Douglas recently reported that the 2025–2026 farming season was successfully completed and that the maize crop developed well through each stage of production. The photos included with this update show the progression of the project—from land preparation and crop establishment to the green mealie stage and finally mature maize ready for harvest.

While final harvest figures are still being calculated as the shelling process is completed, the project has already demonstrated strong potential for commercial maize production.

Like many agricultural projects, the season came with challenges. Douglas noted that excessive rainfall caused waterlogging in a small section of the field, which impacted part of the crop. However, he views this as a valuable learning experience that will help improve drainage management and field planning in future growing seasons.

Looking ahead, Douglas is optimistic about expanding production during the 2026–2027 season. The experience gained this year has provided practical knowledge that will help increase both productivity and efficiency as the project grows.

In his update, Douglas expressed his gratitude to Church of God Network and those who make the COG Development Program possible:

“Your contribution has helped strengthen food production capacity and created a solid foundation for future expansion.”

We are grateful for Douglas’s hard work, dedication, and willingness to share his progress with the broader Church of God community. We look forward following the continued growth of this project in the years ahead!

Please join us in praying for Douglas and the success of his future farming efforts.