FMNR as a springboard to diversification and economic development

October 2, 2017

Yaouza Harouna, 39 years old father of six, farms in Tambara-Sofoua village in south central Niger.  He has been practicing FMNR since 2013.  In his 3ha rain-fed farm, Yaouza grows fruit trees and cereal crops, produces honey, and raises livestock. He has top grafted the wild trees of Sahel apple, Ziziphus mauritiana, also known as Chinese date, with improved cultivars, providing in one hit a lucrative additional cash crop.

Since establishing FMNR, “I have no shortage of fuel wood, my annual crop yield has increased because of improved micro climate.  I have a secure insurance policy, even in drought years trees tend to keep producing when annual crops fail”.   Yaouza says.

When in June 2017, a member of FMNR Team visited Yaouza, he shared: “this year the raining season was not good enough to produce our cereal crop, but I earned over 200.000 FCFA ($400) from the sale of Sahel apple.”

“I bought 3 sheep at 100.000 F which I recently sold at 395.000 F ($790), making a profit of 295.000 F ($590). I had invested in my household food provisions, children education, health, support relatives and I bought a motorbike.  To secure my Sahel Apple production every year I hire a man at 40.000F ($80) per season to stay on the farm for guarding.

Since adopting FMNR with Sahel apple grafting I have peace of mind I have no appropriate words that can express my recognition and thankfulness to World Vision. May God bless World Vision (amen)”

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