September 2020 Tools for Hope, Inc. Newsletter   Introduction August was a great time for farmers all over Rwanda to prepare for their next agricultural season, known as season A (starting in late September).  August was the proper time for Tools for Hope (TFH) employee Frank Mutesa to go from farm to farm to give encouragement to the farmers and to show them the best way to prepare for good agriculture production.  Frank collaborated with the farmers to show and to explain soil testing. Frank also had time to discuss management plans for the Twisungane group’s businesses and projects.  During this time of coronavirus pandemic, all Twisungane projects must be managed well, and all the members must be aware of each and everyone’s responsibilities. Frank also focused on livestock keeping.  This is another issue that our farmers were not doing well, and Frank is focusing on effective training to aid the farmers in resolving their identified problems. TFH is working on all aspects of life for these farmers.  TFH, and Frank, really want the farmers to have better lives and this, we believe, starts with changing their mindsets about certain issues.  They just need the right coaching and encouragement and, the right people in their lives.  TFH is giving farmers the inputs and right principles needed in agriculture, helping the farmers to start their own businesses, and giving the proper knowledge for everyday life (e.g. hygiene, financial planning, food security).   Soil Fertility Management and Testing Improves Food Production As the Rwandan agricultural planting season approaches (Season A), farmers need to be ready with all the necessary first activities prepared and done.  Last month Frank began helping the farmers use the PICSA (Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture) approach. PICSA evaluates historical climate information and uses straight-forward tools to help farmers choose crop, livestock, and livelihood options best suited to individual farmers’ circumstances.  Making the right choice can be critical to the survival of subsistence farm families. Frank did a tour to determine how well our farmers are prepared with soil fertility issues. With help from some technicians from the Rwandan Agricultural Board, Frank and the technicians walked around the village where our farmers reside making the farmers aware of how to manage soils, improve soil fertility, encouraging them to test their soil, and to know the nutrients/ essential elements needed. Soil testing is not expensive, and the results can help improve the crop yield by using the necessary inputs at the right rates. Many farmers were not aware of the importance of soil fertility and the importance of knowing the status of it.  Some think this is entirely some job of the big and rich farmers.  However, this is a mind-set Frank looks to change.  He is explaining to them that this is a ‘must do’ job and it does not require a lot of money.  For example, the cost for testing and analysis for the essential elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) for one sample is 5000 Rwandan francs, equivalent to ~$5.00. On-going Projects and Plans for Others During this COVID-19 pandemic, many folks’ businesses have been shrinking and are in bleak condition.  For the small businesses to thrive during this time, they need proper monitoring and planning. It is in this regard that Frank has been watching and helping our farmers to perform the essential and important monitoring and evaluation of their business activities.  There are two types of businesses /projects our farmers are engaged in; one is the motorcycle transportation / taxi business, and second is the rearing of goats for multiple purposes. Now in Rwanda due to the social distancing issues, all means of transporting people and goods have been increased and their motorcycle business is booming with lots of customers. So Frank is now closely monitoring them and helping them to follow best business practices.  For example, making sure they have sanitizers, and effective metering for taxi charges to avoid fees for not following such required measures. Frank has also been observing the goat project, house by house, seeing how they are managing the goats.  Frank has been checking on the feeding, health, and shelter for the goats.  Many of the farmers were not maintaining proper shelter for their goats, therefore Frank has been teaching them how to make and manage proper barns. Frank has been emphasizing regular cleaning to help fight diseases and protect the goats’ health.  Frank has been checking the feeding materials and where they get the grass and which types.  Frank found their feeding sites and types of grass are all right, but they need more, and Frank will check whether he can get good grass types that help in goats’ welfare.  Frank knows of some good types of fodder grass that can be grown in their field strips.       Frank found two goats that were not in good health.  After monitoring, proper discussions, and advice from Frank, they found proper medication and began looking for proper feeding materials.  Frank believes these goats will recover soon.  The other goats are all looking good and Frank is always there to help our farmers in whatever technical advice they need. Livestock Care and Feeding Plans After seeing that some of our farmers were not keeping their goats in a proper surroundings, Frank started a campaign of looking in all the livestock our Twisungane have and encouraging them to change and have good barns for their livestock and do regular cleaning for their livestock’s health. Some of them have cattle which are not kept in a good condition at all.  This campaign is raising their awareness and encouraging them to think positively.  There is a mindset that poor people cannot have clean things.  Frank is working at changing that mindset and replacing it with “cleanness is the choice.”  Frank emphasizes that they have a choice of making things right. The tropics, where Rwanda is, have climates which support a lot of bacteria and other microorganisms some of which can be harmful to human and animal health.   Therefore, regular cleanings and proper barns for livestock shelter help reduced health risks that might lead to the death of livestock and increase the risks to human health. Take as an example the conditions of the above cow.  This is what Frank is concerned about.  Farmers need to take health and hygiene issues seriously and to make sure they take good care of their livestock.  Frank can help them find some trees to make a simple barn, and to make sure they do proper cleaning and collection of the manure and to keep it in a compost bin for agricultural use. This is what Frank is encouraging our farmers to do.  These maintenance activities need proper planning.  Being poor is not an excuse for dirtiness. TFH is working on all aspects of life for these farmers, Frank really wants these farmers to have better lives, and this, Frank believe starts with changing their mindset.  Frank and we believe they can.  They just need the right instruction and encouragement and the right people in their lives.  TFH is a right organization for this purpose, giving farmers the ideas and right principles needed in agriculture, helping farmers to start their own businesses, and giving the right knowledge for everyday life.  Frank and we are seeing good changes, some of them are also helping us to help the larger community. The Way Forward Frank and the farmers are preparing the next agriculture season, which is the cornerstone of many of our group members.   Frank and the farmers are managing very well all the Twisungane businesses.  Frank ensures their TFH loan payments are made regularly.  Usually they deposit the agreed amount in two weeks’ time. And for the goat project, Frank is encouraging the farmers to take meticulous care of the goats so that they will be able to start paying their loan next year. Frank would like to pass the greetings from Twisungane members, they are more than grateful for all you have done to them.  And they are in this with courage, the goal is to have better future and healthier life. Tools For Hope, Inc. 1540 Robinson Road Knoxville, TN 37923 http://www.toolsforhope.org/ Thank you for your continued support for Rwandan subsistence farmers. Please send this newsletter along to anyone you feel may benefit from it.

 

Introduction

During June 2020, the farmers harvested their no-till farming trials and, in July Frank prepared the analysis of the trials.  The analysis showed the no-till farming method had a higher yield than the tilling method (~ 8%).  The no-till required much lower labor and much less time for plot preparation than the tilling.  Additionally, no-till farming is better overall for soil condition.

Frank has been introducing the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach.  PICSA evaluates historical climate information and uses hands-on tools to develop and choose crop, livestock, and livelihood options best suited to individual farmers’ circumstances. (see http://www.walker.ac.uk/research/projects/participatory-integrated-climate-services-for-agriculture-picsa/)

During July, the farmers began preparations for the next growing season.

So far for repayment of their motorbike loan, every two weeks they deposit 42,000 Rwanda Francs (~$43.85), making the total of 341,000 RWF (~$356.00).  For their goats, they will repay the loan after one year.

The Twisungane farmers are grateful.  They showed this by inviting Frank to share food and drink with them.  They told Frank to thank Tools for Hope (TFH) for what you have been doing to help them especially during the lockdown when TFH supplied food.  Some of them they still eating some of those supplies even now.

 

Our No-Till Experiment Results

The picture below shows an example of the placement of the treatments and plots.

We had two methods (No-till and tilling methods, which have been replicated three times as shown in the table below.  All methods received the same Inputs (seed variety and fertilizers).  No-till performed better than tilling.  Our experiment was for only one season and Frank could not determine the best method in a scientific way but, all in all this season shows that the no-till method has a slightly higher yield than the tilling method. And in terms of labor, the no-till has lower labor requirements for preparation than the tilling method which needs more labor and many days of preparation.

Treatment ID	Method	Yields in kilograms for plot size 10 m X 10 m	Yields in pounds for plot size 32’ 9.7’’ x 32’ 9.7”
T-1	No-till	25 kg	55 lb., 1.8 oz
T-2	Till	22.5 kg	49 lb., 9.7 oz
T-3	No-till	23.7 kg	52 lb., 4 oz
T-4	Till	21.2 kg	46 lb., 11.8 oz
T-5	No-till	22.7 kg	50 lb., 0.7 oz
T-6	Till	22.3 kg	49 lb., 2.6 oz

Totals: No-till farming = 157 lb., 6.5 oz.; till farming = 145 lb., 8.1 oz.

As the data Table above shows, no-till plots had better results than the tilling method.  The highest yield was seen in T-1 (no-till plot) while the lowest was seen in T-4 (tilling).

These results have shown that, no-till is a good method for this area.  Minimum tillage helps maintain soil fertility without weakening its original structure or the beneficial microorganisms which contributed to the crop growth and yield.

Benefits of No-Till Farming

• Prevention of soil erosion
• Prevention of soil compaction
• Preservation of soil structure, soil aggregates and macro-pores
• Improvement of soil moisture and water use efficiency through mulching
• Promotion of beneficial organisms such as earthworms
• No-till mulching enhances soil microbial activity, transfers organic matter to the soil improving its nutrient status
• Less inputs of fuel, energy, and labor

 

Training Twisungane Farmers on PICSA

The University of Reading (England) developed Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) as a part of a research program on climate change, agriculture, and food security.

Historical climate data are combined with location-specific crop and livestock information so farmers can assess risks.  Farmers use planning tools to consider crop, livestock, and or livelihood options and make decisions that are right for them.  Farmers update their plans based on seasonal and short-term forecasts.  METRO RWANDA provides weather information (https://www.meteorwanda.gov.rw/) for the farmers use.

Well-timed farm operation is easily achieved through no-till because land preparation is much more quickly done.  Studies have shown that timely planting contributes up to 40% of the yield.

This is one of the best ways of defeating crop losses.  Because Rwandan agriculture depends on rainfall doing the proper analysis of the weather and climate information will help farmers to know which crop to plant as far as the amount of rainfall is concerned.  Different crops need different amounts of water for growth.

PICSA helps them to know which off farm activity to do in case the rainfall information shows that there are going to be minimal rains.  This helps them to change the crop or, use other ways of irrigation to support the crops, or not to engage in agriculture for the season.

This has been a good approach for our farmers and has been helping them to minimize their risks and to manage their capital better.  PICSA also teaches them how to calculate their profits and benefits before engaging to any activity.

It took Frank days of discussions with the farmers to get each farmer to understand the approach and then to get their commitment to the approach.

As an example of PICSA:  Using the PICSA climate services approach, Selina Sellas, a farmer and mother from the village of Makoja, Tanzania, calculated that she could lose her maize harvest 7 out of 10 times because of insufficient rainfall. She now plants less maize and has introduced more drought resistant pearl millet.

Frank was one of many researchers who took part in learning this approach and training many farmers in Rwanda.  PICSA gives them the opportunity to choose whether to plan for agriculture activities or for off-farm activities.

Field Visits, Crop Preparation, Fruit Tree Management and Providing Technical Support

July is the primary time when preparations for agriculture activities for the next season are done.  It is also a time to review other activities that are always in the field, e.g., banana and other fruit trees.  They are now using maize straws and bean residues on their banana field for mulching, to cover the soil from direct sunshine and keep the soil under the banana field moist.  Some of the residues are being used for livestock feed.

Farmers are serious about their agriculture activities.  The crisis of the coronavirus pandemic crisis impressed on them the importance of preserving their crops.  Now farmers are eager to know more, they ask more about crop and fruit diseases and how to combat them.

The above picture shows a barn which is not kept in good order.  Frank persuaded the farmer to always have a clean building for their livestock and to keep the manure in proper holes and to cover the compost to prevent loss of nutrients, such as nitrogen, from disappearing into the atmosphere.

 

Motorcycle Taxi Business and the Goats Project

The Twisungane group now has two ongoing projects i.e., the motorcycle taxi business and the goat project.  TFH funded both projects with loans to the group.

The weekly loan repayment for the motorcycle is going well as they have resumed paying after the three months of COVID-19 required lockdown.  On their account now we have 341,000 RWF, equivalent to $356.00.  They have been repaying this loan without any problem and they know that Frank is always checking and encouraging them to make regular loan payments.  Doing so will help them to further their learning about how to manage larger projects.

In case of the goats, the agreement is to repay the loan after one year when the goats have increased in number after they reproduced.

Frank and the farmers have discussed and talked about challenges associated with the two projects.  All the challenges are minor ones and normal.  They are getting more manure for their crops and also using the goat milk for their children. As it was discovered that goat milk is the best for children’s health.

Meeting and sharing together few of the harvested yield

One evening when Frank and the farmers were done with their discussion on PICSA, the Twisungane committee members were organizing another meeting and they wanted Frank’s advice on a group member who wasn’t abiding by the group’s regulations.  At the same time, they wanted to thank Frank and the TFH for what they did during the lockdown by providing food to the group.

Frank managed to calm the situation and solve the issue peacefully.

They appreciate our efforts for making their life better and all the teachings and support from TFH and they are committed to do better and change their mindset and be able to excel in the future.

Frank and they planned for their future together and had a wonderful moment, while discussing many aspects of life.  They talked more about values and how best to have good values which is the key to development.  We agreed that good values / character can help everybody accomplish much and open the doors of success.

 

The way forward

The farmers request TFH to add one more motorbike and more goats to the group.   The Tools for Hope Board of Directors is actively considering their request for more loans.

They are still learning more about loans and how to get good quality ones. They are looking for different projects to engage in.

The issue of water treatment is still a priority and Frank has been contacting people from Tanzania to obtain ceramic water filters and is still waiting for their response.

 

 

 

 

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda, our farmers are legitimately concerned about their financial health.  Many businesses have closed, and people are focused on businesses essential to their community and which can help them survive.  Tools for Hope (TFH) is similarly focused on its farmers and their community.

Frank Mutesa (TFH-Rwanda employee) taught and prepared the Twisungane committee members to work together and to develop a sense of helping one another with in the cooperative.  By doing so they can elevate one another even those who are weak can be able to be resilient.  For example, when they help to prepare one another’s field in one week they can finish all the agriculture activities in all their individual farms working as a group.

The farmers just completed harvesting our trials and soon we will present the data after the analysis.

We are addressing the issue(s) of clean water.  Too often they are using water from the river which is dirty, and this has affected their health for so long.

Frank continues to look for and evaluate a new group to mentor.  There are many of them, so we are still considering which group is more in need.

 

Training Committee Members to Work Together

Meetings and training these days are done with few people, following the rules for combating the coronavirus.  Therefore, Frank usually only meets with committee members (coop group leaders).  Frank usually finds other cooperative group farmers in their field /farms as they are doing farm work.  There, they can have a little chat and discuss different issues.

During June, Frank put more emphasize on issues of working together, he has been encouraging them to work together to help one another so that the group can stay well and healthy, together.  An example is the activities we conducted in our no-till research.  That effort has been a collective effort and Frank used this example to ask them to do likewise on their individual farms.  This can be done by working together on each family’s farm.  For example, all of them may meet at one individual farm and work and, then the next day at another members’ farm and so on.

This concept has been well received and all farmers see the benefits.  The purpose here is for them to share and to care for one another.  Such sharing was not common in Rwanda before the Tutsi genocide in 1994.  People used to hate one another based on their tribes (Tutsi, Hutu, Twa).  TFH promotes the Rwandan government’s teachings on reconciliation and these strategies of working together is a proper path to sustainable development as well as sustainable peace and reconciliation.

The picture above was taken during a meeting and discussions with Twisungane committee members.  As you can see some of the group members are wearing their masks to abide by the rules.  Because Frank does not live in their community he has to talk to them when a wearing mask to show them that he cannot infect them with coronavirus in case he might have been infected in the city where he lives.

 

The extremely poor among the farmers live in mud houses, such as  shown in the pictures above.  However, we have a plan to use revenue from the motorcycle taxi business and goats’ projects to raise their lifestyle and be able to renovate their houses as well.  This is not the type of house in which they want to raise their children (dirt floors, walls that cannot withstand heavy seasonal rains, no water, sanitation, or power).  While some of them have been raised in such houses we do not want others to continue with such a life.  This is what TFH is fighting for.  We want to help raise the standard of living among the poor and, with a little help, get out extreme poverty.

 

Harvesting No Till Research Trials, Data Collection and Recording 

During June, we harvested our no till trials.  This was the most important activity related to the agricultural work our farmers are doing.  Their farming activities are not an occupation that is supplying them a good living.  Many factors have hindered and continue to hinder their farm’s productivity e.g., limited  land size, lack of proper techniques / methods of cultivation, soil fertility issues, lack of proper inputs (poor variety of seeds, lack of fertilizers and manure). That why we conducted no till research i.e., to see what kind of cultivation method can best help them to have good yields and to understand their soil fertility issues.  No till farming requires much less labor in the preparation of the farmland.

TFH has given our farmers goats for many purposes but among is to increase manure for their agriculture purposes.

The activity of harvesting our trial was well organized and every member was present, men and women working together.  Every plot was harvested separately using all the agronomic parameters.

 

The above pictures show what the farmers do to harvest their crops.  Briefly these pictures show the harvesting process and all the activities.  As you can see all the work is done by hand.  You can see how they are working together in friendship, women, and men together.  Beans require a lot of work during harvesting.  Our farmers do not have modern equipment for harvesting beans.  Lack of machinery is another constraint on productivity.  The pictures show how tough agriculture can be especially for poor people.

Apart from the agriculture activities you can see that they are willing to help one another.  This is what we are looking for, togetherness and get to where we want to be i.e., a good life with peace and harmony.

We are now recording data and soon Frank will supply the results and the analysis and the recommendations on the issue of no-till and till methods.

 

Water Issues

Water scarcity is a big problem in sub-Saharan African and in Rwanda.    It is a huge problem that the government is working day and night to solve.  However, in rural and remote areas it is not just the scarcity but the cleanliness of available water that has put the poor families at risk from diseases.  People travel long distances to just get clean water.  Sometimes they use water from sources near them which are not clean.

Frank took this picture when he was travelling by motorcycle around the community where our farmers live.  The person in the picture is one of our farmers and he was returning from fetching clean water in a distant area where the small container (5 gallons) of clean water cost 100 frw (~16 US cents).  So, the issue is not about the cost but the long distance.  Frank and the farmers are suggesting that TFH supply them Madidrop+ ceramic tablets to help purify water.  With those tablets they can try to clean (decontaminate) water they fetch from the nearby river.  Someday the government will be able to bring pipes to this neighborhood and supply clean tap water.

Way Forward

So far farmers are happy with all TFH is doing and they are more than ready to show that they have been learning a lot.   They know it is up to them to show progress in what they are doing.  By looking at the pictures in this report you can see they are looking healthy.  There is an issue with their kids, Frank is not always satisfied with how their kids look in terms of health and cleanness.  However, this is the fight and Frank is determined to continue to fight along with TFH.  We believe we will win and change these people’s lives for the better.  Therefore, on behalf of the farmers Frank would like to express their appreciation for everything TFH is doing “God bless you abundantly.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

As we started May, the lockdown in Rwanda ended but with some restrictions still in place.  Tools for Hope, Inc. (TFH) activities were still taking place.  With the end of the lockdown TFH employee, Frank Mutesa, was able to verify the farmer’s activities, to hold meetings, and to give technical support as usual.   The farmer’s motorbike taxi transportation business is coming back, now with a strong emphasize on showing people how to use the cashless ways in paying for services.  This is a challenge with our farmers, but we are obliged to show them its importance.

We have started to emphasize the necessity of growing vegetables and fruit trees in their back yards (kitchen gardens) to ensure they get the proper foods and thus improve their immune systems as one of the measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have been also monitoring our research trials, the no-till research trial, and the individual farms to see how they have been affected by the heavy rains that occurred in Rwanda during the April-May period.

We have been doing surveys, observations, and talking with various people about securing clean water and how they see the various technologies working in their community.

Also, we have been searching for other vulnerable farmer groups that we may be able to mentor as this is one of the goals for TFH.

Emphasizing and Training Farmers to Focus on Growing Vegetables and Fruits in Their Backyards

Vegetables and fruits high in vitamins C and E are particularly important in boosting the immune system, and they are rich in antioxidants.  TFH has been stressing to the farmers to cultivate these in their gardens.  Frank has been trying to make and grow his own fruits seeds for the farmers to use.  For example, Frank has tried to make orange tree seeds sprout from a ‘store bought’ orange.  Using his knowledge of agricultural science Frank produced good orange seed sprouts ready to be planted.  Frank planted them in a pot and soon he will be transporting them to the farmers backyards for transplanting after they have shown a good germination rate.

This is Frank’s own trial and he is going to plant the seeds and help the farmers to try to grow their own oranges.  If all goes well, after four years the farmers will not need to buy oranges in the market.  They will be selling their oranges in the market and eating fruit more often.  

They also have personal vegetable farms.  Below are two photographs of one such kitchen garden.  It is of Samuel’s (Twisungane group leader / president) vegetable plot which we are using as the farmer field school for our group and for other farmers around the community.

 

 

 

During the time that we have collaborated with them, the farmers have understood the logic of working together and of planting vegetables in their personal kitchen gardens.  In the picture above, Samuel is holding the beetroots that were planted in his backyard.  Our program emphasizes cultivating nutritious vegetables in their kitchen gardens.  This has been a strong message also from the government which is emphasizing people to eat a balanced diet as one of the ways to fight the negative impact of corona virus. (see https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277432 for information about the benefits of beets)

Monitoring our No-till Research Trials and Other Individual Farms Affected by Heavy Rainfalls.

Usually in Rwanda, during April-May, we have rains, and sometimes heavy ones.  During this recent period, we had heavy rainfalls which resulted in flooding farming activities and even deaths in parts of the country.  In our no-till research farms we experienced slight flooding especially the plots that are near the river, but this hasn’t destroyed our data because we had replicated our treatments and therefore in the analysis we will use the remaining plots.

The picture above shows the small part of our no-till research that was destroyed by flooding of the river due to heavy rainfalls and the fullness of the aquifer in our lands.  Therefore, we have emphasized to our farmers to always accept the environmental awareness advice of not practicing any cultivation within 10-20 meters of the river, depending on their soil type.

Frank has been teaching them how to practice soil and water management measures.  For example, the ‘ridge and furrow’ method is a highly effective soil and water conservation method that can help in catching water, helps slow down runoff, and helps in infiltration rate (water into soil).  This is one of the best soil and water management practices.  Frank has encouraged the farmers to always think about this whenever they are going to prepare their lands.  Because most of the time the agricultural season starts few weeks before the start of the rainy season.

There are also other government infrastructures that were badly destroyed by the heavy rainfalls.  More than 10,000 acres of rice were destroyed.

Clean Water Issues

The lack of clean water is a major hazard in our farmer communities and, has been for years now.  They are full in accordance with any decision and strategy that will bring clean water to them.  We have been discussing this with farmers and now Frank is planning to discuss this with the local leaders to see how we can best help them.   We hope soon we will get the proper strategy for this issue and be able to deliver clean water to our poor families.

Possibility to Adopt Another Group of Poor Farmers for Mentor-ship Program

TFH has also surveyed different areas to look for other poor families who are vulnerable, need significant help and to mentor and to help them to help themselves.  Frank has been talking to them and assessing their lifestyles and he has performed analysis of the potential groups.

The groups Frank has seen are extremely poor and vulnerable.  We are still assessing our next steps.  Our decision will be based in large part by what they think it is best for themselves.

Our Way Forward

We are happy that we can now continue our work and that life has started to be normal as before.  Frank is planning to teach farmers about the use of the ‘cashless’ business model which is often now the only option for doing business, and thus will require the mobile money training (providing / using financial services on mobile devices) and how they can connect their banking accounts and their phones.

 

Tools For Hope, Inc.
1540 Robinson Road
Knoxville, TN 37923
http://www.toolsforhope.org/

Thank you for your continued support for Rwandan subsistence farmers.
Please send this newsletter along to anyone you feel may benefit from it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

During April 2020 Rwanda implemented a nation-wide lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tools for Hope (TFH) activities were still ongoing despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We continued our research trials on no-till experimental farming.

During the lockdown we provided food security for the Twisungane farmers. TFH provided rice, corn flour, and cooking oil enough to sustain them for 2 months. Normally, TFH does not give such free aid. However, the COVID-19 problem is unique. TFH provided the (Rwandan) funds to the farmers to purchase their food supplies from Rwandan markets. Providing free food to the farmers would have the effect of undermining local businesses i.e., no businessman can compete with free.

Frank made regular phone calls to the representatives of the Twisungane cooperative to give them current advice on how they should care for themselves and to encourage them to follow all the procedures given by the government as they are law abiding citizens.

Because their farms cannot produce enough food and income our smallholder farmers depend on informal day-work. The government of Rwanda put in place measures to minimize travel. This meant that our farmers could not travel to find work. Without income from day-labor and while waiting for their primary crops to mature they were down to one meal or less per day.

Germination Rate and Weeding on No-till Fields

The no-till experimental research at our farmer’s fields is doing great. Our farmers are managing all the activities and following all the research protocols as Frank has trained them to do. This is especially important to our farmers to learn for themselves and to experience diverse ways of farming without disturbing the soil structure and be able to get good yields

The initial research activity was to record the germination rate after planting. This is particularly important because it shows how good and healthy the seeds are, and how the seeds may perform in the field, and how the seeds are responding to that soil. The germination rate also shows how the abiotic factors are working to help seed germination in an area. We had more than 90% germination rate. This show good sign.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pictures above show times before planting and after the germination (just one plot) and as you can see the germination rate is above 90%.  This is exceptionally good in agriculture and we hope to have a good yield, if other agronomics parameters are done properly and on time.

When the rain started after 3 weeks of germination, we conducted another activity which is also very important, and that is the uprooting of all weeds that can compete for nutrient absorption with crops (Beans).

 

 

Weeding activity was done properly.  Frank had trained our farmers to do it as it should be done.  Frank also discussed with them the issue of social distancing while they were weeding.

The picture above shows farmers working on the field uprooting the unwanted plants (weeding).  This activity helps to alter the microclimate below plant leaves, it helps also to reduce humidity as the sun and wind can penetrate deeper and easier in a weeded crop-plot and hence have a positive impact on pest and disease control.

Helping Twisungane Farmers during the COVID-19 Food Shortage

Tools for Hope (TFH) gave the twenty Twisungane families food (25 kgs Rice, 10 maize flour and 3 liters cooking oil per family) to help them during these demanding times where most of them have lost their jobs during this lockdown.

The farmers were incredibly happy to get the food supplies from TFH.  Frank could not gather all of them together for a photograph because of the rules about not gathering more than 10 people.

Below is the Twisungane farmers committee with the post which says “ON BEHALF OF OTHERS WE THANK YOU TFH.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL”

 

Although it was not easy to move from one area to another because of the official lockdown, Frank managed to convince the local leaders to allow our farmers to travel between a distant market and their community.  The local leaders and government officials know TFH and the activities we do to help the farmers, therefore they granted farmers the permission to move from their village to the shopping centers located far from their village.  The quantity and quality of food supplies we wanted were more than the local shops could provide.  So, our farmers had to travel to the large shopping center.  We thank the local leaders for their understanding.

Below are some pictures taken during the process of buying and delivering the food, which was done on Friday 24th April 2020.  These Twisungane representatives distributed the food to each farmer that remained at home.  The process went well.  They thank you a lot and ask God to bless TFH.

They used bicycle and motorbikes to carry the food stuffs.  Our own motorbike (TFH motorbike) was also used to carry the food stuff.  Because it was not working for transporting people, but it can be allowed to carry food commodities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was the happiness moments, when you get food to eat during these times of lockdown, it is like a miracle.  And this will sustain them for 2 months, because they have vegetables in their farms, therefore, because each family was given, 25 kgs of Rice, 10 kgs of Maize flour and 3 liters of cooking oil.  Now, they will have a balanced diet for not less than 2 months.

Frank and the farmers discussed nutrition and now they know how to modify their diet to maintain their health.  This is very important during these days as to boost their immune systems so that they can be able to resist so many diseases. Therefore, it was also a good opportunity for TFH to introduce this lesson of combating malnutrition among our farmers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smallholder farmers’ happiness is the most important thing that TFH is working on, because when farmers are happy, they can be able to secure their tomorrow with plenty of innovation and hardworking mood.  They just need a little help and encouragement like this.

 Way forward

The No-till experimental trial is giving hope that we will have good and reliable data that will help us to come with good recommendation.  Again, we believe this pandemic will soon be over and we continue our lives and even have better hope than ever.  Farmers are calm even if they do not understand what is going on in this world, but we still believe in God and we will see this through.