Efforts geared at promoting innovative interventions to enhance productivity in the agriculture sector have started bearing fruits, with farmer reporting improved performance over the past few years.

One such intervention is Farmer Field Schools (FFS) that aim at empowering grassroots communities with modern crop and animal husbandry skills to ensure sustainable production and earnings, says Dr Jean Jacques Mbonigaba Muhinda, the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) director general. 

Under the scheme, village-based FFS facilitators meet selected farmers regularly over the course of the growing season, from land preparation to harvesting,  (for cultivators) and guide them on how to use better farming methods.

Muhinda says this approach helps develop expertise for the particular farming technology they have been following during the field classes.

Vestine Dukuze, an FFS facilitator in Giseri Cell, Gishanda Sector in Ngoma District, says farmers are now able to carry out their activities following best practices, which has boosted crop productivity and profitability.

Dukuze says she has been able to improve output from her two-hectare banana plantation and four cows.

"It is now easy for me to pay my university fees and cater for other necessities,” she says.

FFS were introduced by RAB in 2009 to help improve agriculture production among rural communities that are not served by extension staff on a regular basis. The community-based model uses selected model farmers to carry out extension services after undergoing some trainers training at RAB.

Jean Bimenyimana, an FFS beneficiary from Muganza sector, Nyaruguru District, says he acquired better farming skills, adding that he can now forecast earnings from his farming activities, as well as expenses.

"Previously, I could just buy fertilisers and apply them without following guidelines. Now I know what to do... I strictly follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure good results,” he notes

He adds that it is also easy to detect problems early and find remedies to deter major outbreaks of pests and diseases.

Challenges

According to FFS facilitators interviewed by The New Times, the approach has helped increase crop production.

However, they say that lack of disease and pest-resistant crop varieties, as well as high cost of inputs; transport and unpredictable climate patterns have minimised the desired impact of the FFS.

They also say they have been overwhelmed by the huge numbers of farmer trainees.

Looking ahead

Dr Muhinda says RAB has introduced another project that will help provide community-based extension services to consolidate gains made under the FFS approach and serve more farmers.

The "Twigire Muhinzi” is a national extension model that was launched last year, which empowers community-based farmers to carry out basic extension services in their localities.

Muhinda said under both FFS and "Twigire Muhinzi”, peasant farmers are equipped with skills to help them find appropriate solutions for challenges they may face.