Arable land pooling has had a significant impact on the lives of farmers in Muramvya province. Not only has it made it possible to increase agricultural production, but it has also promoted the massive transmission of knowledge on good agricultural practices. Provincial officials strongly encourage the population to join this program.
The pooling of land allows for an increase in agricultural production.
The bean harvest is in full swing. Farmers residing on Nyambo hill in Bukeye commune in Muramvya province are particularly satisfied with their results. On a plot of one hectare, they harvested more than 2 tonnes of beans for this season. A success that they attribute to the arable land pooling program implemented by the government of Burundi in collaboration with Tubura.
Farmers testify
In a bean field located on Nyambo hill, we meet Evangeline Irakoze, a farmer. She informs us that this program allowed her not only to double her harvests, but also to collaborate with other farmers supported by the NGO Tubura. Since then, she has continued to learn new techniques to improve the yield of her land.
Mr. Firmin Ndayisaba, another farmer residing on Nyambo hill, shares his experience with the pooling of arable land. Before joining the Tubura projects, he cultivated in a way he calls “jujuta”. However, this method was expensive for him, as he sowed many grains in a small area, thinking that this would increase the yield. Unfortunately, he made no profit. Through Tubura’s coaching, he learned good agricultural practices and found that the arable land pooling program allowed him to significantly increase production.
A program full of benefits
The pooling of cultivable land as explained by Ali Kassim, head of BPEAE in this province is a process where farmers pool their efforts to sow their fields on the same day, carry out maintenance simultaneously and harvest at the same time. This approach facilitates the work of agricultural monitors and field agents of the NGO Tubura, because they can effectively monitor many fields at the same time and intervene when necessary.
One of the advantages of this technique is that it helps in the fight against pests. Normally, when a farmer sprays fields, pests often migrate to neighbors’ fields that have not yet been sprayed. However, when all farmers spray their fields at the same time, pests no longer have shelter and are therefore better controlled. Another positive aspect of this program is that it has significantly reduced cross-country flights.
Mr. Kassim says he is satisfied with the level of support of the population of this province for this program. However, he highlights a major challenge: sometimes, the distribution of agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, etc.) to farmers is late. Those who receive these inputs in advance begin to plow their fields before others. This excludes certain farmers who would like to participate in this program. He calls on all stakeholders to ensure that delays in the distribution of inputs do not penalize farmers who wish to join this initiative.
Tubura, hand in hand with the Mineagrie
David Bizimana, in charge of local relations at One Acre Fund Tubura, highlights the close collaboration between Tubura field officers and Mineagrie agricultural monitors. By implementing this program, Tubura has aligned itself with the government’s initiative to bring together arable land with the aim of increasing agricultural production.
Euphrem Ndikumasabo, governor of Muramvya province, expresses his satisfaction with the performance of the NGO Tubura in his constituency. He particularly welcomes the introduction of the arable land pooling program which he considers extremely profitable. The proof is that the price of beans went from 3,500 FBu per kilo last month to 1,500 FBu today. This drop in the price of beans reflects a good harvest, the result of the program implemented by Tubura. The governor also thanks the NGO for the jobs created in the province and for its positive impact on the development of the population.
It is interesting to note that Muramvya was the very first province in Burundi to benefit from the support of the NGO One Acre Fund Tubura in 2012. Since then, 40,000 households out of the 98,000 in the province have collaborated with this organization. .
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