Promoting agricultural practices & improving food security
Agriculture Department
The Edam Network Foundation helps farmers transition from subsistence to commercial farming. We offer training in high-value crops, modern techniques, and advisory services on crop management, pest control, and soil fertility. We also provide quality inputs, safe grain storage, value addition, and market linkages.
Gro-Business Development:
We help farmers establish gro-businesses, or agriculture-based businesses, that offer sustainable income opportunities. This includes support for starting and expanding small-scale farms, agro-processing businesses, and local food production ventures. Through business training, farmers learn how to manage operations, increase productivity, and grow their agricultural businesses sustainably.
Advisory Services:
We provide agricultural advisory services that offer farmers expert guidance on modern farming techniques, crop management, pest control, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. This advice helps farmers increase yields, improve the quality of their produce, and navigate challenges related to climate change and market access.
Supply of Farm Inputs:
Access to quality farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and tools is essential for improving productivity. We partner with suppliers and provide subsidized inputs or organize bulk buying programs to ensure farmers can access these necessary resources at affordable prices.
Safe Grain Storage:
We support safe grain storage solutions that help farmers reduce post-harvest losses. By providing access to proper storage facilities like metal silos or cool storage units, we help farmers store their grain securely, preventing spoilage, pest damage, and contamination. This ensures that farmers can sell their crops at optimal times for the best prices.
Market Access:
We connect farmers to local, national, and international markets, helping them find buyers for their produce at fair prices. By linking farmers to market networks, we aim to reduce the middlemen, ensure better pricing, and improve the income that farmers receive from their crops. We also provide training on market trends, branding, and sales strategies to enhance farmers' competitiveness in the market.
Value Addition:
We encourage value addition to farm produce, helping farmers process raw crops into higher-value products (e.g., turning maize into flour, processing fruits into juices, or turning milk into yogurt). This increases the farmers' income potential and opens up new market opportunities for their products.
Environmental Conservation:
We promote sustainable farming practices that prioritize environmental conservation. This includes soil conservation, water management, and agroforestry. By teaching farmers about techniques like crop rotation, organic farming, and reforestation, we aim to preserve the environment for future generations while boosting agricultural productivity.