Because of improved production, Velásquez’s tomatoes improved in quality, fetching him a better price.

LA LIMA, Honduras — Andrés Velásquez, of Yoro, lives with his wife and five children and, like most families in the community, grows crops on a small farm. During the last three years he has been producing tomatoes on 0.35 hectares and developed a basic level of technology through assistance from various institutions. It wasn’t until he became a client of the MCA-Honduras-funded Farmer Training and Development (Entrenamiento y Desarrollo de Agricultores, EDA) program, however, that his production and income started to take off.

Velásquez knew the basics. He was using a small drip irrigation system and prepared beds but was just generating enough to get by.

After Velásquez started receiving personalized technical assistance from Fintrac, which is implementing the EDA program, he modified the drip irrigation design and learned how to use and maintain the system, control pressure in the drip tape, repair leaks, irrigate daily and fertilize through the system with a dedicated fertilization program. Velásquez also improved soil preparation, increased plant populations, used starter solutions, controlled weeds in and around the crop, and scouted his crops for pests and disease.

With improved production techniques Velásquez immediately noticed improvements. After transplanting, plant loss was reduced, plant growth was more vigorous and plants were healthier than before. Velásquez was most impressed with how consistent fertilization was through drip irrigation. It reduced his labor and fertilization costs and improved fruit quality and yields. Velásquez sold his crop to a local buyer 90 days after transplant for $7,300 with production costs of $1,500. Previous production from this area usually grossed $4,600 with costs of $2,600. Velásquez reduced his costs and increased his profits through better production technologies, increased productivity and improved fruit quality.

“The project is very good. It has an excellent approach. The personalized assistance makes the difference and will have a great impact on the community,” Velásquez said.

Velásquez attributed his success to the technologies he learned from EDA and neighbors are asking him for advice on how to duplicate his success. He is sharing the knowledge he obtained from EDA and has invited them to participate with him in the program.

EDA is being implemented by Fintrac to sustainably increase productivity and sales for program clients. By May 2011 the program will have helped more than 8,000 farmers increase productivity, incomes, and employment.