Project activities included training in improved seed production, training input agents, radio extension programs, developing input packages for targeted seed varieties, and selling seeds to smallholder farmers through input agents. NCBA CLUSA and its partners also improved incentives and opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors by building business development services (with Oruwera and Phoenix), and strengthened the development of key value chains (sesame, peanut, cowpea, pigeon pea, sugar bean, and soy bean).

Impact: Drip by Drip

Drip irrigation is part of SEEDS’ training strategy to not only provide quality inputs, like seeds, but to also provide training and information on how to best grow these inputs. Training up the farmers who grow good seeds, means there will be better quality seeds for sale in Mozambique.

Ten of the top seed farmers in Malema district were selected to undergo a two day training for Oruwera Seed Company. During the training, Tanzanian drip irrigation specialist Miraji Ndege showed the group how to install irrigation systems.

Ndege showed Mama Taciana Estêvão how to set up her system and allowed her to practice inserting the drip tape to the main feeding tube using a system of valves. Mama Taciana showed she was was not intimidated by the process and
got to grips with it so fast that she became the first to get the system installed on her own farm.

Malema district is blessed with several strong all year round rivers, which is important for drip irrigation. This is the first time these farmers will use drip irrigation and the first time they will apply irrigation to growing seed.

Mama Taciana hired neighbors to help her plough the field to set up the irrigation system and was able to install the first system in her fields. Drip irrigation will allow her to grow quality seed for Oruwera Seed Company, which helps her livelihood, improves the quaility of Oruwera seed, and ultimately improves the livelihoods of those farmers down the value chain.