Small and Productive Farm Plot (SPFP)and its Promising Results

Under the roadmap of ‘Safe and Nutritious Food for Everyone, Everywhere!’, the Ministry of Agriculture has developed a strategic plan that extends from2024 to 2028 and is strictly followed up.

 The strategy focuses on producing adequate crops, vegetables, fruits, and animal products through exemplary farmers, the Minimum Integrated Household Agricultural Package (MIHAP), Small and Medium Commercial Farmers (SMCF), and the Small Productive Farm Plot (SPFP), a newly developed strategy introduced in 2024.

SPFP is practiced over a 1,000-square-meter area and aims to improve access to safe and nutritious food in the rain-fed and semi-arid areas of Eritrea. It integrates crops such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables to benefit rural households that rely on rainwater and those living in water stressed areas. It is implemented in three phases based on the agroecological zones of the country. The primary objective is to harvest a significant amount of cereals from a small plot of land using row planting, compost application, improved seed varieties, and sufficient water when needed. An additional benefit of the strategy is the incorporation of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes as a permanent crop, alongside crop residues for animal feed.

The first round of SPFP was implemented for the first time in four regions: Maekel, Anseba, Debub, and Gash Barka. These regions receive summer rains from June to September, and more than 12,000 rural households participated in the first round. According to reports from the four regions, the highest yields recorded were 9.7 quintals (0.97 ton) of wheat, 9.5 quintals (0.95 ton) of maize, 4.2 quintals (0.42 ton) of barley, 7.3 quintals (0.73 ton) of sorghum, and 2.3 quintals (0.23) of pearl millet. The weighted average was 3 quintals (0.3 ton).

SPFP Success Stories from the ‘Horse’s Mouth

A. Maximizing Land Efficiency and Agricultural Produce

“We were not accustomed to the SPFP’s method of farming, where properly aligned rows are the key,” recalls Amanuel Yohannes, a notable farmer from Adi Gebru, who harvested over 9 quintals (0.9ton) from less than 1,000 square meters.

Mr. Amanuel, while inspecting his farmland in ‘Grat Alat’ from Adi Gebru in the Berik Sub-zone, also adds, “What we are harvesting now on this SPFP project of less than 1,000 square meters is comparable to the total yields from five or six farmlands.

Tsegay Berhe, another farmer from Kudo Midri, an administrative area within the vicinity of Mai Edaga in the Dekemhare Sub-zone, stresses the multiple benefits of the SPFP in maximizing yields. “I notice that the output per hectare we used to achieve aligns closely with what we are now obtaining from just these1,000 square meters, which is 6quintals (0.6 ton),” he confirms.

Similarly, SPFP can enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change and unpredictable weather patterns. The emphasis on practices like row planting and compost application improves soil health and fertility and encourages sustainable farming practices using locally available resources.

B. Empowered Women

Selam Birhane Emba is from MaiLafo, Adi Quala sub-zone in the South Region. Her 1,000-square-meter farm exemplifies her meticulous planning and unwavering dedication. As one walks through her farm, the orderly rows of wheat and properly aligned vegetable plots are truly remarkable.

“Before joining this program,” Selam clearly recounts, “our harvests were fully dependent on labor-intensive methods. Now, however, we are introduced to better alternatives. We learned the importance of preparing the land properly, planting in rows to maximize space, and using compost. As a result, we were able to harvest 5 quintals (0.5ton) from the 1,000-square-meterplot.

”Letebirhan Mehari from Mehabesh, in the Ela-Berid area of the Anseba Region, also asserts that through the SPFP, she was encouraged to cultivate wheat for the first time. “We thought this kind of cereal was suitable only for the country’s highlands. But now, this belief has completely changed. Through SPFP, I cultivated wheat on a 250-squaremeterplot across difficult terrain and harvested 2.5 quintals (0.25ton) in the first round,” she explains. Letebirhan’s plot was also covered with a variety of crops, vegetables, and pulses.

As the SPFP encourages the integration of vegetables, including permanent crops like sweet potato, alongside cereals and pulses, women have recalibrated their ability to guarantee better alternatives for improving their livelihoods.

Selam and Letebirhan urge other women to join the program, as itis an approach with lower labor demands that enhances their efficiency and allows women farmers to focus on other crucial aspects of life.

C. Enhancing the Impacts of Selected Crops

The smartest farmers work inharmony with nature, not against it. Choosing crops that are well-suited to the environment and which require less intervention is key to sustainable and productive farming.

Mengisteab Gebru, a farmer from Adi Dirar Ayni, appreciates the provision of selected wheat seeds during the first round from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)Branch Office in the Adi Quala subzone. “was provided with 13 kg of selected wheat seeds, and from the first round of SPFP, I harvested over9 quintals from a plot of less than1,000 square meters.

” While walking across his farm, which is now also planted with chickpea in the second round, he explains, “I harvested 3 quintals (0.3 ton) of chickpea.” He emphasizes the role of improved crop varieties in enhancing the success of SPFP’s goals.

“By cultivating a small additional area, it is even possible to enter the market,” states Bahlbi Teklay from Mai Edaga. He harvested 6 quintals (0.6 ton) of wheat from 800 square meters. Many agree that this is particularly helpful to women who can do the job more effectively.

D. Harnessing the Roles of Agricultural Extensions

Experts from the MoA have played significant roles in demonstrating the diverse benefits of the SPFP.

Yosief Teklemariam, from Qusmo Dongolo in the South Region, emphasizes the role of expert intervention in his harvest of over9.7 quintals (0.97 ton) of wheat from1/10 of a hectare of land. He stresses the importance of expanding transformative services to remote areas.

“Pragmatic consultancy services are crucial. I, for instance, had no prior knowledge of SPFP’s farming techniques, which contributed to this bountiful harvest, including the four quintals of chickpea I harvested from less than 9% of a total hectare plot,” he explains.

The Future of SPFP

Eritrea is estimated to have around2.1 million hectares of potential land for rain-fed agriculture and around600,000 hectares for irrigation. With a focus on maximizing land production, the MoA strives to reach a ratio of agricultural production, with cereals (50%), pulses (25%), and oil crops (25%) by 2028.

SPFP is expected to play a key role in guaranteeing that every farmer contributes to the national objective of providing safe and nutritious food for all citizens.

An exemplary farmer, Amanuel Yohannes, recalls how he was initially skeptical about the farming methods SPFP employs. However, the results have proven to be impressive.

“Many farmers are now encouraged by the yields I harvested from the small plot, and I am even planning to distribute half of the produce as seeds to aspiring farmers.”

The government’s commitment to achieving food security through safe and nutritious food, coupled with initiatives like SPFP, signals a strong drive to expand and strengthen the program. The emphasis on small productive farm plots indicates a diversification strategy that could further enhance the program’s impact on livelihoods and nutrition.