Ordinary farmer inspires Nyanza agric revolution

There have been many government projects aimed at improving crop production in the country. However, the problem has always been that many farmers could not afford fertilisers or improved seeds that would help boost output. For residents of Rwabicuma sector in Nyanza District, Southern Province, the situation was not any better. Poor farm yields were something of a ‘norm’ and food insecurity widespread. It is only after farmers were trained on how to grow seasonal crops in terraced areas, that the situation changed. Under the Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) project that is under the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers gained new skills on how to rotate maize and beans in terraces. As a result, their harvests have increased; with maize production per hectare rising by up to three tonnes per, up from 150 kilogrammes in past few years. Manure maker Francois Habimana, a resident of Rwabicuma sector, is one of the farmers who benefitted from the training. Habimana says when farmers expanded their gardens using the newly-acquired skills, they could not secure fertilisers. That’s when the entrepreneur in him came to the fore and he started a manure making project to bridge the gap. He says he was able to supply a few farmers with the manure which increased their output. His harvest also increased to 500 kilogrammes of maize. He says last season he harvested one tonne of maize worth Rwf350,000. But his jackpot is in manure making, which brought in Rwf700,000 during the past season. Habimana says though the projects requires a lot of time and energy, the returns are good. He adds that many people in the area use the manure to boost their harvests. Habimana employs eight workers to help him with the project. “Some of them have bought livestock and plots of land, while others are engaged in trade.” He has also taught farmers in the area how to make their own manure. Improved life Habimana says since he started making manure his life has improved greatly, adding that all of his children go to school and he pays his family’s medical insurance premiums in time. “I used to struggle very hard to pay health insurance. Sometimes when the health animators came to collect the money, I would hide. However, now I am able to pay on time and happily,” he narrates. He says his family has since kicked food insecurity out of their lives. “Previously, we could not afford two meals a day because of poor crop yields, but this has changed now.” It is evident that Habimana has greatly benefitted from the venture; he has been able extend power and piped water lines to his house. “This is no mean achievement...My neighbours now also have a place where to fetch clean water,” says Habimana, a father of five. The entrepreneur has built a commercial building in Gakome centre. Challenges Habimana says making composts requires a lot of hard work and patience. “You need to be energetic and creative because sometimes you will not get all the materials, requiring more skills to succeed,” he says. He says since he uses grass and ash, he spends most of his time in the forests and wetland which exposes him to health hazards. Advice Habimana advises farmers to embrace modern farming methods like fertiliser application to improve their crop production. “Soil is like a belly, one has to feed it to survive. So, you cannot expect anything much if you do not ‘feed’ your soil. You have to use fertilisers to compliment your hard working,” he advises. He adds that farmers should work together and share ideas and experiences. Patrick Ngabo, the project the monitoring and evaluation officer, says the initiative has helped farmers in the Southern Province to improve output. He adds that most farmers in the area presently harvest up to 10 tonnes of produce from a hectare compared to 300 kilogrammes previously.