RUBANDA- With the Harvest Money Expo just around the corner, farmers in Kigezi region are commending the Horticulture Market Acceleration Project (HOrtiMAP) for its role in fostering modern agricultural practices among them. 

Implemented by TechnoServe, an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting business solutions to poverty, the project connects individuals to vital information, capital and markets.

Supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), and BiD Capital Partners, HOrtiMAP stands as a beacon of innovation in agricultural development.

Medard Matalo a farmer in his garden in Nyamweru Subcounty Rubanda district (Photo by Job Namanya)

The project was launched in July 2022 following the baseline findings that were done between January and April 2022 by Development Associates for Programme Support Consults (DAPS) Ltd, which showed that post-harvest losses and handling were high.

The findings also showed that unregistered agro-dealers and fake agro-puts are still in the market and this affects crop yields.

Among the sponsors of this year's Harvest Money Expo, Technoserve has played a pivotal role in empowering farmers like Medard Matalo, a dedicated Cabbages farmer from Kigongi village, Nangara parish, Nyamweru Sub-County in Rubanda district.

After seven years of cabbage farming, Matalo struggled until the HortiMAP project intervened. He credits the project for enlightening him on large-scale farming methods conducive to commercial agriculture.

With an investment exceeding shilling 2.3 million in his garden, Matalo anticipates a yield of over shillings five million post-harvest, pledging to sustain cabbage cultivation even after the project concludes.

New methods

In Rubanda district, farmers have embraced the use of a screen house to enhance seedling breeding. Matalo attests to the enhanced production capacity resulting from the screen house's implementation since July 2023.

“The screen house gave me a good seedling that is growing better than what we had before. Since July 2023, we started this screen house and we are currently getting better seedlings that have boosted our production capacity,” Matalo says.

Justus Ensiteriyeitu, another farmer, highlights the screen house's impact, citing improved seedling quality compared to previous methods.

Ivan Arineitwe, a 28-year-old vegetables farmer from Iguriro village, Kakore parish,  Hamurwa sub-county in Rubanda district, has for the last four years been growing tomatoes and cabbages. He later opted to specialise in cabbages only following the low returns from tomatoes.

Arineitwe says due to the limited land in the Kigezi, most farmers like him did not value the aspect of spacing in cultivation but as extension workers from Tecnoserve started visiting his garden, he has eventually adopted better farming practices.

Transportation challenges

He says his greatest challenge is to transport these products from the garden to the market and also the dry season affects his production levels since it calls for irrigation which is quite expensive to implement.

“I am forced to hire a pump to do irrigation at least twice a week and this is not sustainable anymore, especially with the increasing fuel prices. I spend over shillings 60,000 to irrigate my garden weekly.

After harvesting, transporting my products to the market is another challenge but since we have been promised good opportunities that could see a boost to our businesses, I am hopeful of better returns soon,” Arineitwe says.

Robert Sabiiti, another vegetable farmer who has been growing cabbages and carrots at his one acre in Nyakabungo village, Kitooha parish, Kaharo sub-county, Kabale district for the past two years, says despite earning over shillings two million per season from his garden, his farming business faces some challenges.

“I at times find challenges with the market and since these are perishable products, maintaining them becomes a big challenge to us as farmers. Our prayer is that the project provides a system that will see us either gain a ready market for these products or cold rooms that can preserve them for more years,” said Sabiiti.

Leaders speak out

Nelson Nshangabasheija, the LC5 Chairperson for Kabale, says with the limited land availability in Kigezi, efforts aimed at boosting agricultural production are highly welcome.

Stephen Kasyaba, the Rubanda district chairperson, urged development partners to consider improving the infrastructure of the areas they are operating in to ensure effectiveness.

“The infrastructure of the areas you are operating from like roads need to be upgraded so that as our people produce as you desire, you offer a clear path for them to the market,” said Kasyaba.

To the Kanungu district chairperson, Eng. Sam Kajojo, encouraging local consumption of horticultural products is vital for the sustainability of the business.

Scheduled to take place from February 23-25, 2024, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the Harvest Money Expo promises to be an enlightening event for farmers and agricultural enthusiasts alike.