Building resources and knowledge

The Haller Journey Farmer Training Graphic

Farmer Training

With water security in place, communities start an organic farmer training and skills transfer programme at our Farmer Training Centre where they address vital issues such as water conservation, soil enrichment, erosion prevention, nutrition, diversified crop management and symbiotic planting. We also provide hands-on training at demonstration plots within the community, which they dig and farm collectively. These local plots teach farmers how to effectively feed a family of 8 and have been key to expanding and re-iterating the training to more community members. Peer to Peer training is encouraged and our Haller community trainers attend the plots regularly in the early stages to provide additional technical support and advice.

Training is “climate-smart,” designed for the needs of sub-Saharan farmers to work with terrain that has rendered food production difficult. It encompasses water conservation, soil improvement, erosion control and terracing and then followed by horticulture and the importance of good nutrition.

Once communities have successfully adopted these basic techniques independently we introduce advanced farmer training methods such as aquaculture, forestry, bee-keeping and livestock rearing aimed at improving household income and enabling communities to earn an income. Training in the importance of recording income and expenditure and basic business skills is also included.

Following this stage, nutrition improves, food production is maximised and the landscape is greened with a more diverse range of crops and trees planted. Farmers have their own family plots, in addition to the collective community plots while neighbouring communities, smallholders and self-help groups often begin to replicate these techniques.

Haller Research and Development Graphic

The impact of Research & Development

Once the Water and Community stage has been completed, farmers receive between 2 and 4 years of training at the Haller Training & Demonstration Farm at Mtopanga. This centre was developed by Dr. Haller to trial, test and teach pioneering farming techniques to smallholder farmers, to meet their food production needs.

The Benefits

Haller impact of Demo Plots Graphic

The impact of Demo Plots

The Haller Demonstration Plot is 1000 square metres of land that is planted using the techniques from the Haller Farmer Training Centre. Farmers are able to learn from this ‘finished article’ and replicate it on their own nearby plots.

The Benefits

Haller Farmer Training Graphic

The impact of Farmer Training

We don’t just teach farmers how to increase food production. We teach techniques for healthy, sustainable living, so when they are ready, communities can thrive without our help.

Learn more

Haller Forestry Graphic

The impact of Forestry

Haller is committed to sustainable land use that regenerates soils and supports human livelihoods.

The Benefits