The project addresses the issue of low farm productivity and resulting low farmer income in the rural areas in the Western province of Rwanda. Due to the low yields, lack of storage and limited access to finance, smallholder farmers’ income in the area remains insufficient to provide for the family needs in a satisfactory way, sustaining widespread poverty. Poor nutrition and food insecurity are some of the consequences of the limited earning opportunities in the area.
The key project goal is to develop a post-harvest and sustainable quality corn blends and corn meal project in the western province of Rwanda while improving income and food security of the local smallholder farmers. The outputs of the project will contribute to the broader outcome of creating new, value-adding agricultural business activity in the Western province of Rwanda with the potential for further replication and multiplied benefits.
With this project, will specifically addressed improvement of maize quality and quantity in order to improve market access by small scale farmers’. The project mainly focused on improving the farmers’ post-harvest practices through adoption and sustainable use of appropriate postharvest technologies, and their marketing practices through group storage, capacity building and joint marketing. Muteesa aims to develop the supply chain with 20,000 small farmers, introduce a warrantage system and ensure steady supply of corn while increasing yield and income of small farmers and improving their food and financial security. Based on the 0.5 ha of corn cultivation, a farmer currently earns a net revenue of £ 46. With the improved yields (5 ton/ha) and better sales position, the net income will grow to £ 174 per annum from the same planted area
This output will result in the improvement of farm productivity, yield and income at 20,000 farmers. Farmers will be supported in organizing associations that will be connected to financial providers (SACCO’s) so that participating farmers can access loans. Loan access will be facilitated through a warrantage system that Muteesa will set up, giving farmers formal receipts for the produce that they deliver at the storage.
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