Transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming
Business Farmer of the quarter: Elinesi Mpyanga
Elinesi with her rice harvest in Mbarali.
Elinesi Mpyanga (54) is one of the Commercialisation of rice (COMRICE) project participant. She is both a co-owner of The Mbarali and Neighbours Rice Farmers Trading Company (MTC) and has focused on quality seed productions. MTC is a smallholder established company under the COMRICE project that aimed at bringing farmers together and facilitate their transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming.
Before joining other farmers in establishing MTC, Elinesi was a small-scale but dedicated rice producer in Mbarali, Mbeya. She was also the chairperson of her farming group which was trained in Good Agricultural Practices. One of these practices is System of Rice Intensification which increases productivity and is climate-smart as it reduced the required amount of water needed for rice production. Elinesi did not only adopt these best practices in the group but applied them at her own farm becoming a champion in her location. Her production doubled after that from 12 to 24 bags per acre.
- I know the challenges, the rewards, and the benefits. The work started by chance when I was invited to training in modern intensive agriculture that does not require much water. I have seen the benefits compared to before. I used to cultivate large plots using too much water and experienced a lot of loss. With System of Rice Intensification (SRI) techniques and using less seeds and water, I make significantly more money, says Elinesi.
Certified seed farmer and official distributor
To adopt good agricultural practices in rice production, farmers depend on quality seeds. Quality seeds is unfortunately not easy to access as local seeds are commonly used and very limited multiplication and distribution of quality seed close to farmers. As part of the COMRICE project, dedicated farmers were therefore selected to become certified quality declared seeds producers to multiply improved varieties of paddy seeds and make them available and affordable to small-scale farmers.
Elinesi is now certified as a quality-declared seed producer and official distributor through TOSCI. TOSCI is the national agency responsible for the certification and promotion of quality agricultural seeds produced or imported into the country for sale to safeguard the farming community from fake or poor seeds. In the 2021/2022 season Elinesi was able to sell all the seeds she produced to neighboring farmers who then benefit from access to higher quality seeds than what they normally use which again increase their productivity in the coming season.
Elinesi had to learn the proper protocols and requirements involved including specifications on planting and harvesting in order to qualify. Norges Vel through the COMRICE project provided her with this essential training and facilitation needed for certification. The criteria ensured that she preserved the integrity and maximizes the use of the seeds and gained all its advantages resulting in an increase in income. Farmers who do not buy certified seeds run the risk of buying lower-quality seeds.
Re-investments
Elinesi in her shop where she sells agricultural products such as pesticides, fertilizer and plant nutrients.
- Right now, I can grow rice for food and still have more to sell. I now produce food for my family and have rice to sell for income. Before, I would have made huge losses. On top of that, I am a certified QDS seed producer. I grow and sell rice seeds for the benefit of the surrounding community, says Elinesi.
Elinesi has also re-invested her profits into other business ventures. She has built three shop rental spaces and sells agricultural products such as pesticides, fertilizer, and plant nutrients.
- Now my fellow farmers can access fertilizer and other inputs easily. For me this is a very big achievement, says Elinesi.