Farmers in the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP) have recorded a significant increase in Maize yield following the adoption of the Project’s improved agricultural practices.

SAIP supported farmers with irrigation systems, improved farm inputs and trainings on planting and as well as proper post harvest handling methods which enabled farmers to significantly record increased maize yield.

“In season A 2021, I cultivated maize on 1 hectare and harvested 3.5 tons. I thank SAIP for supporting us to acquire improved sees, fertilizers and as well as training on proper post harvest handling skills,” said Leonia Niyonsaba, one of the farmers in SAIP site in Mugera Cell, Gatsibo Sector, Gatsibo District.

She added that SAIP supported her and fellow farmers to shift from subsistence to a more modern commercialized agriculture through providing them with irrigation systems, improved farm inputs, post harvest storage facilities and as well connecting them to potential markets for their yield.

“I used to produce for home consumption only, now I have started producing for local markets. We are no longer feeding ourselves but the nation. We are thanking SAIP for giving us an opportunity to invest more in commercial farming,” said Niyonsaba.

According to Sylvester Ndayisaba, one of the farmers in SAIP site in Rubumba Cell, Kabare Sector, Kayonza District, SAIP equipped them with knowledge and skills on how plant maize and other crops in a well ploughed land and as well as application of  required fertilizers.

“All the years, we have been cultivating maize but the yield was low because we were not following the proper land preparation and planting. I grown maize on 0.5 hectare and harvested 1.8 tons,” said Ndayisaba.

He added: “I am happy because when you look at my maize farm, the yield is good and I can have some for home consumption and the rest for markets, and through this I will be able to get money to pay school fees for my children and buy other home essentials.”

Ndayisaba commended SAIP for equipping them with post harvest structures such as storages and maize driers saying that this will ensure proper post harvest handling of their yield before it is taken to markets.

According to farmers, SAIP supported them to access potential markets for their produce through contract farming which has motivated them to focus more on commercial agriculture.

The project supports farmers to increase crop yields through capacity building training, agribusiness skills, financial literacy, and agronomy. Farmers also receive agriculture inputs, like seed and fertilizer, and services including soil testing and agronomic support.

The farmers then implement the lessons from the training and use the inputs to grow their crops. Once harvested, the farmers are linked to better markets and higher prices.

The use of improved seeds and balanced inputs enable farmers to improve productivity in the crop fields.

To enhance the culture of enriching soils with quality fertilizers among farmers, the project taught farmers how to make quality composts-organic fertilizers. It is in this regard that quality compost making was introduced to farmers to increase soil fertility, hence increased productivity.

SAIP targets to increase agricultural productivity, market access, and food security of the targeted beneficiaries in the project intervention areas.