New packhouse to strengthen horticulture value chains in Rwanda
Garden Fresh, a company specializing in export of fresh produce, opened Rwanda’s first privately owned packhouse. The new packhouse, built with support from the HortInvest and IDH, will provide local employment, improve Garden Fresh’s capacity to deliver high quality produce, and improve local farmers’ income.
This article was published by The New Times on September 11, 2022. It is written by The New Times author: Moise M. Bahati .
Success Stories on the Agriaccess Project in Ghana
Know more about the real impact of Agriaccess project through real stories
The Garibanye group story
In the midst of Ping, a charming and visionary community of farmers surrounded by sorghum fields, got together to form the Garibanye Group: a farming collective operating under Agriaccess Ghana Limited.
Committed to enhancing farming practices in their community and bolstering their incomes, this group of 25 have been dedicated to sorghum production, yielding a combined quantity of around 20 tons annually for the last decade.
Despite their efforts, the Garibanye Group faced challenges such as high input costs, limited access to ploughing services, and a lack of mechanization, hindering their ability to scale production to a potential 40 tons. Soil nutrient depletion and structural issues due to consistent ploughing and chemical fertilizer use added to their struggles. These obstacles, combined with unpredictable weather patterns and rising input costs, underscored the need for a more sustainable approach.
Driven by a passion for farming and environmental stewardship, the group envisioned embracing regenerative agriculture a holistic method aimed at restoring soil health, conserving water, and promoting biodiversity.
In 2023, Agriaccess in partnership with IDH and Mastercard Foundation, introduced regenerative agriculture technology to three locations with three groups, including the Garibanye Group. At the end of the season, the Garibanye group's farm exhibited excellent results, having been trained in a cost-effective, easy, and high-yielding system for growing grains while preserving soil nutrients.
The journey began with training sessions conducted by agronomical experts from IDH, emphasizing the benefits of regenerative practices and the importance of soil health and ecosystem interconnectedness. The Garibanye farmers gradually witnessed the transformative impact on their crops and livelihoods.
The group implemented key principles, particularly cover cropping during off-seasons to shield the soil from erosion, enhance fertility, and naturally suppress weeds. Once-barren fields now flourished with a diverse array of plants, signalling the regeneration of the soil.
As the Garibanye Group continued their regenerative practices, they observed a reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Embracing compost and natural fertilizers, they highlighted the significance of nutrient cycling within the ecosystem. Healthier soils led to increased crop yields, bolstering their confidence in the sustainability journey.
The Garibanye Group emerged as a source of inspiration for neighbouring communities with their successful pilot of regenerative agricultural practices. Recognized as the best sorghum farming group in the Jirapa district of the Upper West Region during the 2023 Farmer's Day celebration in Sabuli, they received tarpaulins and a handheld planter to facilitate their work in the upcoming planting season.
Leading the way in promoting regenerative agricultural practices, the Garibanye Group not only excelled in sorghum farming but also pioneered these practices for various crops in the region.
Read more