In Burundi, the concept of Farmer Promoters was previously unknown, but it is no longer novel, thanks to the Kugwiza Project -the name by which the AID-I GLR Project is known in Burundi. Today, Farmer Promoters – locally known as Village-Based Advisors (VBAs) or Lead Farmers – are commonplace, having been introduced by the project. These VBAs play a crucial role in mobilizing farmers. They introduce new crop varieties to farmers and guide them in establishing baby demonstration plots of different food-security crops, which the VBAs thereafter monitor. The leading-by-doing and facilitative roles VBAs play will likely outlive the project. It would likely thrive beyond the Kugwiza Project, thus boosting community social capital now and in the future.
Learning by doing: Farmers in Rango Commune, Tara village, Burundi, learning good agronomic practices from their neighboring fellow farmer.
VBA is an innovative approach that involves engaging lead farmers within the community to serve as role models and advisors on various agricultural and livestock practices. The VBAs, who are also farmers and opinion leaders in their villages, demonstrate effective farming techniques on their own plots.
With the need to foster trust, and visible and credible results, especially in peer-led programs, this model readily fosters trust and rapidly encourages other farmers to adopt and implement the new practices promoted and practiced by one of their own. Before they replicate the methods on their plots, farmers first see the tangible results the VBAs achieved for themselves.
Also, when information is from a familiar and trusted farmer within their community, farmers listen attentively and implement the advice swiftly.
The story of Generose Ahokwizera exemplifies this peer-to-peer learning approach. Generose’s journey mirrors that of many beneficiaries of the small-pack approach: from skepticism to advocacy.
“At first, I was against this approach: I saw no advantage in receiving a tiny seed pack of a mere 100 grams. I thought it was too small to be useful,” she recalled.
Through continuous capacity-building and sensitization by project partners in various community forums, farmers – including Generose – began to understand and appreciate the benefits of the small-pack approach.
“The project’s agronomists, in collaboration with local administration, held a gathering to explain the approach. Everyone was invited to participate in a demonstration field day
for beans planting. I attended and gradually became convinced of the effectiveness of the small-pack approach,” she explained.
“Later, farmers in my community selected me to be their VBA to support the dissemination of small packs and provide technical assistance in their planting activities. Now, I am helping Kugwiza Project beneficiaries and other farmers to adopt and integrate improved farming practices into their agricultural activities,” said Generose.
As a VBA, Generose assists in distributing small seed packs and helps establish baby demonstration plots where farmers plant these seeds at home. The community has selected four VBAs (two men and two women) to facilitate the awareness and adoption of the improved farming practices in their village.
It is a win-win for all involved, assuring a sustainable, seamless, and durable seed sourcing and tracking system: “After being selected, we were trained on our roles and responsibilities, particularly in monitoring and technically supporting the small-pack beneficiaries. The training was conducted by the seed company that produced the small packs. The company explained how we, as VBAs, will continue engaging with farmers to jointly track and document future seed orders,” Generose added.
VBAs mobilize farmers to adopt improved agricultural technologies for various crops, including high-iron beans, hybrid maize, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, and rice. They communicate the crops’ nutritional benefits for both children and adults, as well as their productivity, and they connect farmers with seed producers for future orders.
Generose notes the increasing adoption of good agronomic and livestock practices among farmers. “Since January, I have mobilized 55 neighboring farmers (15 men and 40 women) by distributing small packs of beans seeds. Of these, 43 farmers (10 men and 33 women) have successfully established baby demonstration plots and planted the beans according to the modern practices they had learned. After the harvest, I will help them extend their farms and purchase more seeds from the seed producer,” she said.
Generose also organizes weekly meetings, typically on Saturdays after public community work, to discuss crop status, promote best agronomic practices, and address challenges. She visits farmers who are facing difficulties and provides customized advice.
One of the farmers who benefited from Generose’s interventions is Salvator Kabutokimana, from Mwurire Hill, Muyinga Commune. “I received 100 grams of seeds from the Kugwiza Project and was guided by my neighbor, Generose, in modern agronomic practices. These techniques, such as mixing organic and mineral fertilizers and staking climbing beans, were new to our community. Thanks to these innovations, I anticipate an ample harvest and plan to expand my farm next season,” he explained.
The Lead Farmer approach, otherwise known as the VBA approach, is proving successful and could be extended to other parts of the country to assist more farmers. Neighboring villages that have not yet benefited from these interventions are eager for support from the Kugwiza Project.
“When they see the success of the demonstration plots and the planting technologies used, they would request similar assistance, which may be provided to other communities in future seasons,” Generose hopes.
Generose’s experience highlights the profound impact of peer-to-peer learning and demonstrates the effectiveness of the VBA approach in transforming agricultural practices and improving livelihoods in Burundi.
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