The report below is an update from George Amimo, Food & Farming Champion, on the Model Farms program in Kager village:
“We continue to enjoy the Lord’s favor and love, in what we do here as JVP. The change that is so long dreamed of, continues to pursue us even when we are asleep. From the desk of Food & Farming, I want to say it has been really good to learn of new techniques of Model Farming and the introduction of new crops in the village. Through this we have learnt of unfamiliar crops like butter nut quach and bulb onions that are suitable with the soil in our village. Thank God for all that has happened.
In the year 2009, we started with only 4 farmers in the first season, that was Round 1. In Round 2, our Food & Farming Partner, John Cory, shared with us the idea of increasing this to 12 farmers. In round 1, the four Model Farmers were provided with the following:
- Money for cultivation (1 and 2 cultivation)
- Quality seeds
- Fertilizers, both CAN and DAP
- Money for weeding ( 1 and 2 weeding).
Round 1 Model Farmers increased their production threefold and they shared their produce with the JVP on a 50-50 basis, which was successfully done. The grains (maize / sorghrum) that was profit shared from Round 1, were kept in the JVP Community Center and was later sold back to the community in the month of December 2009, when there was low supply, but a higher demand. This was sold at an affordable rate . This already brings to our mind the process of sustainability of food security. The proceeds from the sale are kept and will be used as working capital for the next round of the Model Farm program.
In Round 2, the number of Model Farmers was expanded to include 8 new farmers (and the initial four). There were modifications made to the program to promote more engagement and ownership in the program, as well as reduce the overall cost of the program. Each farmer was to cultivate their own farms at their expense, while JVP provided for the following:
- Quality seeds
- Fertilizers of CAN and DAP
- Money for weeding
On comparison, there has been increased production in Round 2 compared to Round 1. During Round 1, there was a heavy season of rains that rendered the crops stunted in growth, curling of the leaves which resulted in low production. In Round 2, we had a moderate rainfall that was good for the growth of the crops, despite the challenge of a dry spell that occured in October, which interfered with the perfomance of the crops as well especially with beans which all dried up, and we expect to harvest from beans. At the moment, most of the Model Farmers who participated in Round 2 have done their harvesting and are currently shelling the corn from the cobs. This is a real work, and it is my prayer that soon we will have a shelling machine in the community to help with this process. This takes long as it is currently done manually by hands. As agreed, we expect that the 12 Model Farmers will share the produce with JVP on a 30% basis as was agreed initially.
I pray the Lord will help us have the Basic Utility Vehicle be repaired and function so as to collect all the grains from the farmers and bring them for storage at the Community Center. The grains will be stored in the sacks, but we are thinking of a better storage bin, like the plastic tank to act has a storage tank, to have all grains stored in one place and preserved against insects and pests using preservatives. We anticipate to store them there until we have low supply in the market and the demand begins to increase, then we will later sell them to the community.
Agriculture is the backbone and major economic activity in our village. In regard to Round 3 of Model Farming with JVP in Kager, we have floated the following ideas, and would look foward to your thoughts and ideas:
1) Partners to help us buy Quality Seeds and Fertilizers to sell to villagers at more reasonable prices. Having these important ingredients for farming with us in the JVP Community Center, we can sell these at an affordable price to all the farmers in Kager who would like to improve their farming production. In the past two farming seasons, we have had a cry from many people who would want to get the inputs, but due to the limitation, we are only able to provide those whom we work with the Model Farm program. The idea of a having a bulk supply, will make it open for anyone in Kager to get the input at a nearby store and at an affordable price. This will as well increase production village wide.
2) We would also like to collaborate with the JVP Partners to help with the purchase of modern farm equipments, which will be stored at the Community Center, and which the farmers can get and pay by installment through their farm produce to help with increased production.
3) We are as well interested in carrying on with the current Model Farmers to a Round 3, and as well increase the number as may be convenient. However, in Round 3, we expect the farmers meet all the ploughing and weeding costs at their expense, and JVP can only provide seeds and fertilizers to the farmers. This is more like my first suggestion of having the inputs in the store and selling them to the community, except if we have a specific group, we will not sell to them, but expect them to give something back to the project when they harvest.
We are looking forward to the completion of Model Farms Round 2 report as soon as possible, this depends with when all the farmers have done the shelling to know exactly what they have received so that we can have better measures of input and outcome for this program.
We have also planted the first Never Ending Kitchen Garden (NEKG) with Carren Philiph and we look forward to rolling this to other community members as we see this first one develop, and after putting everything we need in place. Our Village Greenhouse program is equally on track, and we will update you on what is on progress soon.
Otherwise thank you so much Jubilee Village Project for your concern towards developing Kager as a village and improving the living standard of your brothers and sisters in this village.”
George Amimo, Food & Farming Champion