How We Bring Practical Farming Skills to the Last Mile

On most mornings or afternoons in Burundi’s farming communities, it's not unusual to see a circle of people gathered under the shade of a tree. Some clutch notebooks or training brochures and others bring produce from their farms to show the group. This is not a government seminar or a university lecture; it’s farmer training in action.

At the center of the group, a field officer like Jacqueline Nduwimana answers questions and demonstrates practical farming techniques, such as how to space maize rows or blend organic compost. 

Jacqueline has been with One Acre Fund for over nine years. You will often find her with her baby strapped comfortably on her back, walking or riding a bicycle or motorcycle along village roads to meet farmers, sometimes at their homes or fields, and sometimes in group meetings. These scenes of community-based training and serious farming discussions are becoming more common, not just in Burundi, but across all the countries where we work.

According to FAO, where quality training is available, farmers consistently experience improved harvests, healthier soils, and show greater resilience to shocks. This isn’t just theory, it is already taking root in the rural communities we serve, where farmers are putting new knowledge into practice and seeing real results. 

Extension work has remained an important part of our model since we began 20 years ago, and we have continually refined our approach to meet the evolving challenges that farmers face.

But where does this knowledge come from, and how does it make its way to the farmers who need it most?

From innovation to impact

When Jacqueline and other One Acre Fund field officers stand in front of a group of farmers and teach planting techniques or crop diversification strategies, what may look like a simple step-by-step guide is actually the result of months, often years, of careful work behind the scenes.

It starts with our innovation and agronomy experts who research and test tools, products, and farming practices that could improve harvests or increase resilience. Whether it’s field-testing a drought-tolerant seed, a new pest management strategy, or a marketable cash crop; nothing is rolled out unless it is researched and rigorously tested to ensure it fits the challenges and terrain our clients face.

But knowledge alone isn’t enough - it must be accessible and actionable. This is where our behavior change and human-centered design teams come in. They translate technical agronomic insights into feasible and appealing practices. We use illustrations, analogies, and step-by-step guidance to ensure farmers can understand, retain, and apply the advice with confidence and see real value in doing so. 

With the training package ready, Jacqueline and other field staff undergo extensive internal training to master the material.  They ask questions, table concerns and opportunities, and understand delivery techniques. Only once they are fully equipped, do they bring these thoroughly vetted recommendations to farmers.

Knowledge delivered when it matters most

Finally, that knowledge reaches its destination: a group of farmers gathered under a tree, in the shade of a community hall, or standing between rows of climbing beans. This face-to-face training, delivered by trusted field agents, remains our most effective means of sharing information in a personal and practical way. Jacqueline and other field officers are often community members themselves, neighbors who understand local challenges and are always close by to offer guidance or answer questions.

To broaden our extension work and reach even more farmers, we have explored additional channels that make knowledge even more accessible. In some of our countries of operation, we have established farmer call centers, where trained staff respond to inquiries and provide timely advice over the phone. 

Additionally, we send SMS messages with seasonal planting reminders and broadcast farming tips and behavior change messages via local radio programs. Through a growing suite of digital and non-digital tools such as SMS, USSD, IVR, and mobile apps, farmers can now access operational information, receive general extension support, and obtain individualized recommendations tailored to their field location and characteristics. Many farmers now also use One Acre Fund’s seasonal and daily weather forecasts to guide decisions like when to sow, topdress, and harvest.

Farmers are learning and implementing effective farming techniques, and the impact is promising: harvests and soil health are improving, and incomes are growing. However, more can be done. For agricultural productivity to grow at a faster pace, more farmers need access to consistent training and support, particularly those in the most remote areas. This means expanding the network of field officers, strengthening call centers and radio programs, and continuing to invest in farmer-friendly tools and materials that get knowledge to farmers where they are and when they need it.