Leah Zakayo, a farmer from Manyire Commercial Village (CV) has increased her maize yields from 4 to 40 bags on one and a half acres. This gives her an income of Tsh 2,000,000 (USD 921.22). Her cucumber yields have also increased from 3-60 bags per acre which brings an income of Tsh 3,000,000 (USD 1,381.84) and 2-4 bags of beans from just a three quarter acre that gives an average income of Tsh 600,000 (USD 276.37).

In 2011, Leah started practicing farming and would produce three bags of cucumber per acre for sale and four bags of maize per one and a half acre which was for family use only. In 2012 she applied the right agricultural guidelines by using the right planting distance, chemical and fertilizer application. She increased the cucumber yields from 3-40 bags of maize and sold at TSh 40,000 (USD 25.65) per bag. In 2013, she kept improving the production system that had increased the cucumber production from 40-60 bags in an acre and sold at Tsh 50,000 (USD 32.12) per bag. This time round, she improved the maize production from 4-40 bags which she sold at Tsh 35,000 (USD 22.48) per bag from one and a half acre. In 2014, she harvested 60 bags of maize and stored until prices hiked (post-harvest management). She sold for TSh 50,000 (USD 29.40) per bag after three months, making a total of USD 1764.00. After vising the Nane Nane agricultural show in Arusha, she got an idea of adopting yellow beans variety production, shifting from her usual red beans. The shift has increased the yields from 2-4 bags of beans, which she sold at TSH 150,000 (USD 88.18) per bag, a total of USD 352.72.

Leah Zakayo clearly appreciates Farm concern International (FCI) and states that “FCI has become a channel for my improved income and life standard. My life has changed after FCI has provided different trainings through my group (Tumaini CPG) and Manyire CV. We were linked with different input companies and trained on proper production system, proper seed, and chemical & fertilizer utilization on the right proportions. FCI had also funded us to attend the Nane Nane agricultural show and other exchange visits that have improved my new farming adaptability for Beans production (yellow beans)” Leah says.

From the improved standard, yields and income, Leah and the husband have increased the production in yield (quality and quality). She has also educated her three children to high levels. The first child is already employed as a secretary, the second child is in form six and the youngest child is currently in the first year of high school. Leah and the husband have also constructed a new permanent house worth Tsh 13 million (USD 7,642.70).

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