LA LIMA, Honduras — To survive in an increasingly competitive global market, small farmers must adopt sustainable and productivity-enhancing technologies and production systems. Fintrac, through the EDA (Entrenamiento y Desarrollo de Agricultores) program, is helping small farmers throughout Honduras do just that with a market-driven integrated crop management (ICM) approach. This whole-farm approach to increase the profitability of agricultural production incorporates appropriate technologies and good agricultural practices (GAPs) such as the reduction of chemical inputs, better management of on-farm resources, and environmental protection. Unlike extension programs that provide extension for one or a limited number of crops, Fintrac’s integrated production systems approach provides farmers with the ability to change crops or crop mixes depending on market demand.

Weekly technical assistance visits are made by Fintrac agronomists who advise, demonstrate and train growers on the different aspects of the recommended technologies and techniques, all of which are already proven to double and triple yields of traditional systems for a range of crops in Honduras and significantly reduce environmental degradation and crop losses. While growers need to adopt the full package of recommended (GAPs) to maximize returns and minimize risks, the implementation of selected basic production improvements can also result in significant productivity and quality improvements.

During the first six months of EDA implementation in the field, technical assistance has been provided to 460 beneficiary growers. While the main focus is on introducing upgraded production systems, technical support is also provided to growers in marketing, market information, postharvest handling, GAP certification, business skills and access to finance, and business support services.

Many program clients have now harvested their first crops using the improved technologies and are seeing increased productivity, reduced unit production costs, improved product quality and increased sales. Some of the successes include:

• Ruben Calderon, from La Labor, Ocotepeque, increased tomato sales from $9,407 per hectare to $23,891 per hectare, a 154 percent increase.
• Rafael Flores, from Guinope, El Paraíso, increased onion yields from 43,000 pounds per hectare to 112,500 pounds per hectare, a 162 percent increase.
• Marco Antonio Elvir, from Gracias, Lempira, previously earned average sales of $4,071 per hectare for onions. With EDA assistance, sales per hectare jumped to $7,867, a 93 percent increase.

With the success of the first phase, neighboring farmers are becoming interested in participating in the EDA program. The results demonstrate that EDA clients with a range of crops throughout the country are increasing productivity and sales. Increases from the first crops with EDA support range from 40 percent to 200 percent. Subsequent plantings of high-value rotation crops during the first year of participation with EDA are projected to increase productivity and sales by 100-400 percent.

The EDA program is being implemented by Fintrac and is funded by MCA-Honduras. The program’s primary objective is to make 8,255 men- and women-owned agribusinesses profitable and sustainable, resulting in increased rural incomes and employment opportunities. Through technical assistance, training and a market driven approach to crop and technology selection, growers are introduced to profitable crops; diversified farm operations and market outlets; and to technologies that maximize productivity, reduce risks and minimize unit production costs.