IFCU Ltd farmers trained in Good Practice on Maize, Sunflower & Rice Farming

The union was established to fulfil a common need of inputs and marketing related issues. The main question was how members could access farm inputs and reliable markets at reasonable time and price. Over the last two years, IFCU Ltd showed growth in members as well as in maize, sunflower & rice production.

Now, IFCU Ltd wants to increase their production even more and aims to have their own Maize and Rice Processing factory & Sunflower oil processing factory in the near future. To achieve this, IFCU members need to follow training in Good Practice on Maize, Sunflower & Rice farming in order to have enough knowledge of the quality requirements of the Maize, Rice and Sunflower market.

From 9th to 11th of September, Agriterra provided training on Good Practice on Maize, Sunflower and Rice Farming to IFCU members. The training was conducted by Mr. James Edward Hangi – Farmer Manager from CHAURU Ltd (Rice Production), client Agriterra Tanzania and Mr. Ibrahimu Harry Mwankanye, Agriterra’s Tanzanian Business Advisor.

The planning component of the training focused on the importance of planning and good practice standards in agricultural production. Besides the Guideline on farming, Principle of good farming and Farm preparation, the participants learned also about good use of water, planting and use of fertilisers on farms and control of pests and diseases. They also received training in harvesting, handling after harvesting, and management of irrigation groups.

Three days is too short to sufficiently address all the factors which are involved in good practice methods on maize, sunflower and rice farming. The IFCU Ltd farmers were very eager to learn and participated actively in the training. They have absorbed as much as possible from the training which strengthened the IFCU position in the business.