The rains finally came at the beginning of October and so our team have been busy planting the maize crop. We are using the Foundations for Farming method (previously called Farming God's Way). It is our second year of using this method and we saw an increase in our maize yield last season. Some of the key methods are not to hoe the land (not digging the soil); keeping the soil covered with dried grass while dormant and once the crops are growing; weed by hand not with a hoe; carefully measure the distance between the lines and holes for planting; measuring the fertiliser accurately. It is quite labour intensive and takes the helpers some time to get used too, especially the weeding by hand! Over the years the yield will continue to increase as the soil gets full of nutrients from the cow manure and fertiliser. The covering with dried grass helps to prevent soil erosion and keeps the moisture locked in.
Maize is a staple food here in Burundi. Once harvested it is dried and then turned into a flour which is used to make ubugali - a soft dough which is eaten by hand alongside a sauce of vegetables or beans. We are excited to see this years crop grow and help to feed our family, team and to bless families in the community. In the future we hope to train families in the community to use this methodology for farming so they can increase their food yield. Burundi is classed as one of the hungriest nations in the world and we want to see that changed! Come Lord Jesus and bless the fields of maize.