What do relationships, houses, and organizations all have in common? They all require a strong, sound foundation to stand the test of time. At Walisha, we understand the importance of sturdy building blocks and laying a solid foundation before adding the frills and final touches. 

The challenges facing the grain industry in East Africa are immense, and we’ve covered them in our recent blog post here. But for those of you pressed for time, aren’t we all? Here’s a quick recap. The grain industry in East Africa faces significant challenges, particularly for smallholder wheat farmers in Rwanda. Despite agriculture accounting for 31% of Rwanda’s GDP and employing 70% of the population, smallholder farmers struggle with high production costs, limited access to quality inputs, and inadequate storage facilities. These issues lead to low productivity and significant post-harvest losses.

Additionally, inconsistent wheat supply quality and the absence of farmer-owned milling facilities hinder market access and value-addition opportunities. The underdeveloped upstream value chain, characterized by limited input suppliers and a need for digital platforms for information sharing, further exacerbates these problems. However, with wheat consumption in the region steadily rising, there’s a pressing need and opportunity to enhance local production and build a more resilient, self-sufficient agricultural sector.

When it comes to tackling the plethora of challenges, our Productivity Enhancement Programs are the very foundational pieces we are talking about. 

You may think that any agricultural enterprise’s foundation is the seeds. After all, they are the only reason there is a harvest at the end of each season. And one cannot prepare for the upcoming planting season without them. But, like with building a house, you have to look just a little bit deeper than the raw materials. You have to look at something even more basic than that. You have to look to the soil. 

That’s where our integrated programs begin, focusing on soil fertility. Recognizing that soil depletion is a major constraint for small landholders, we help smallholders overcome this barrier by facilitating inexpensive soil testing. But we don’t stop there. We also provide customized, environmentally conscious fertilizer recommendations & connect farmers with suppliers for fair-priced products.

Only then do we begin to look at the raw materials. In this case, the seeds. 

Like with most things, you get out what you put in. So we work to ensure that farmers have access to quality seeds to increase their yields & quality of product. We do this through strategic partnerships with seed suppliers & industry experts to promote the adoption of high-yielding wheat varieties that can thrive in local conditions alongside training in optimal agronomic practices to see rapid yield gains. We’re not just providing one-and-done training, however. 

We understand that for our programs to be truly sustainable, they must provide ongoing education and training opportunities. This is especially crucial for building long-term climate resilience as rapid climate changes call for rapid responses in crop & pest management. To address some of the impacts of climate change we’re seeing today, we’re focusing on bolstering the wheat systems utilizing intercropping combinations, as well as moisture conservation techniques. Some moisture conservation techniques include our efforts to expand access to water harvesting and storage and affordable irrigation systems like drip kits. 

With these interventions we are working to ensure that farmers start each planting season rock solid. 

Typically, preparedness would stop here: The soil is ready, the seeds are on hand, and the water runneth over. But we know that when it comes to the long game, we need to start preparing for what happens once the seeds have begun to sprout and farmers begin to prepare for life post-harvest. 

To ensure their success at the end of their growing season, we must ensure the basics, like access to finance and market linkages, are in place. To accomplish this, we link farmer organizations to predictable local wheat value chains from millers to bakers to ensure stable market environments that incentivize productivity investments. The goal is for this cycle to repeat indefinitely: prepare, plant, pre-sell. 

Once farmers move through these phases of programming, we begin to move to the Market Access Programs (don’t worry—we’ll dive into this next week!) to continue supporting farmers from seed to sale!

At Walisha, we’re not just planting seeds but cultivating a revolution in African agriculture. Our Productivity Enhancement Programs lay the groundwork for a sustainable, resilient future for smallholder farmers. By addressing challenges from the soil up – through fertility management, quality seeds, climate-smart practices, and market linkages – we’re building a robust foundation for agricultural success.

This comprehensive approach isn’t just about increasing yields for a single season. It’s about empowering farmers with the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to thrive year after year. We’re creating a cycle of preparedness, productivity, and prosperity that has the potential to transform rural economies across East Africa.

As we work hand-in-hand with farmers, cooperatives, and industry partners, we’re sowing the seeds of change that will grow into a bountiful harvest of opportunities. Together, we’re not just overcoming challenges – we’re cultivating a future where smallholder farmers are the cornerstone of food security, economic growth, and community resilience.

Join us in this journey of transformation. Whether you’re a farmer, an investor, or a supporter of sustainable agriculture, there’s a place for you in this story of growth and empowerment. Let’s cultivate change, one field at a time, and watch as the seeds of our efforts blossom into a thriving, self-reliant agricultural sector for Africa.