Pioneered by Hinga Weze, under the auspices of United States Agency for International Development, the mobile input supply scheme consists of delivering inputs to smallholder farmers in remote areas in a bid to improve their productivity and yields. The agro inputs include fertilisers and pesticides.
The scheme implementation was started in a maize plantation on November 2, 2018 for easy demonstration and coaching in Gashari Sector, Karongi District. Winga Weze will upscale the sheme across 10 districts of; Gatsibo, Kayonza, Bugesera, Ngoma, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Nyamasheke, Karongi, and Nyamagabe.
Through the mobile supply scheme, agro dealers will be able to deliver inputs without additional cost for transport. In addition, farmer promoters will be able to earn Rwf200 on each bottle of input bought and delivered to farmers. Farmer promoters coach the farmers on how to plant, use agro chemicals properly and saving, among others.
Farmer promoters welcomed the scheme saying it came at a time when they were in dire need of using fertilizers to optimize yields from their gardens.
During the demonstration session, a set of farmers were introduced to different pesticides and how to apply them.
Another session was also organised to handpick fall army worms and spray a section of the garden.
Farmer promoter, Chantal Ahishakiye, is already experiencing the advantages of the supply scheme. Recently she delivered inputs to farmers in her cell of Musanzu with support from the local agro-dealer. The supplies include fertilizers and pesticides.
Daniel Gies, the Hinga Weze Chief of Party, commenting on the scheme, said that the project “will work hard to ensure that farmers are able to access high equality and affordable inputs for the coming years”.
Hinga Weze is a Rwf28 billion five-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It supports about 560,000 smallholder farmers to improve their yields, raise their income and improve women and children nutrition.
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