The rural development program for farmer training is downright inspiring. A day in the field with participating farmers revealed very tangible improvements that are leading to increased productivity, linkages to more reliable buyers, increases in income, and a lot of pride. The visit also illustrated the wide diversity of farmers involved in the program--from those working over five acres to those joining together to work less than one; and from those exporting to El Salvador to those taking the first step to sell in local markets. The aspect that unites all of these farmers is a commitment to try new technologies and cover the costs of inputs.
The implementer of this component, Fintrac, sequences interventions and training based on the producers’ existing capacity and resources. The basic interventions are low-cost and low-technology but can double or triple productivity quickly. They include:
- Creating natural barriers (of elephant grass, corn or sorghum, for example) around horticulture fields to attract pests before they reach fields;
- Preparing fields well in advance of planting, allowing time for weed seed to germinate and be removed before planting crops;
- Economizing fertilizer use by delivering fertilizers through the irrigation system for more targeted application and better absorption;
- Economizing pesticide use by setting sticky traps to identify specific pests and apply pesticides accordingly;
- Bolstering plants’ natural defenses against pests by applying a solution of vitamins and sugars, thereby reducing the use of harmful and expensive pesticides;
- Designing rudimentary irrigation systems with used rubber tubing bought at reduced prices from larger agribusinesses.
While these interventions are designed to increase productivity and reduce costs, Fintrac also works to increase and improve farmers’ connection to buyers of their products and sellers of their key inputs. For example, Fintrac works with sellers to supply local stores with the inputs its partner farmers want (such as specific pesticides rather than the catch-all version most readily available). Fintrac also supports farmers in negotiating more favorable arrangements with buyers by helping keep them up to date on prices and their quality standards high.
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