Esperance’s Journey to Sustainable Onion Farming (success story 2)
14-11-2024In the coming weeks, we will share three success stories that highlight Agriterra’s collaboration with Farmer Organisations and the positive impact on farmers' food and nutrition security. These stories will specifically showcase improvements in productivity and income for individual farmers in Ngoma District in Rwanda, achieved through the Ngoma Out-grower Service Company Ltd. This farmer-led business is composed of 4 cooperatives and benefits an additional 13 affiliated cooperatives.
This second success story is about Esperance’s Journey to Sustainable Onion Farming.
Esperance Mukabayavuge is a 50-year-old farmer from Ngoma district, with over 15 years of experience in farming. For the past decade, she has worked within cooperative models, but her true transformation began in 2023 when she started working with Agriterra through the Acting Now project. This project not only brought technical training but also introduced her to sustainable farming practices that completely changed the way she farms.
Crop Specialisation
Before Agriterra’s intervention, Esperance recalls the old ways of farming. She often planted maize, soybeans, and green amaranth on the same plot, hoping that whichever crop survived would be the one to sell. Although her primary goal was to generate income from maize, this mixed-cropping method decreased maize yields. The crops competed for nutrients and water, which led to lower productivity and high treatment costs, reducing her overall income.
The Acting Now project came in at a crucial time, offering training and advisory support that focused on strategic planning and crop specialisation. Through the training, farmers learned the importance of cultivating a single crop per season and practicing crop rotation in the following season. They were also advised to stop mixing crops to maximize yields. Agriterra introduced intercropping with trees like Calliandra and Grevillea, which improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen without excessively competing with crops. Esperance noted how these changes transformed her land into a more productive and sustainable resource.
New approach
One of the biggest changes in Esperance’s farming journey was how she approached "Season C," the driest part of the year from June to August. Previously, like many farmers in her area, Esperance left her land bare during this season, fearing poor yields. This left her farmland unproductive for months, severely impacting her household income.
Farmers in KOAIR helping Esperance to conduct harvesting activity
In 2024, after attending the Horticulture Good Agricultural Practices sessions organized by the Acting Now Project, Esperance began to embrace the changes suggested by trainers. “At first, the training felt very scientific,” she shared, “but the hands-on learning through demo plots made it easier to understand.” Through this practical experience and guidance, she learned how to maximize her farmland's use during Season C, focusing on timing and crop rotation to improve yields.
With support from the Acting Now Project, Esperance ventured into onion farming for the first time during Season C. Previously, she believed growing onions required large investments and was hesitant to try it. But, with Agriterra’s guidance and the provision of seeds, she confidently planted onions on previously unused land.
Esperance enjoying the produce from her farm
The results exceeded her expectations. Not only did she cultivate a healthy crop, but she also secured a market for her onions even before harvest. This success boosted her confidence and highlighted the financial potential of diversifying her crops. She proudly notes that this achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the consistent support of Acting Now advisors and agronomists, who provided hands-on assistance throughout her journey.
