USAID to support agricultural productivity

Aiming to boost agricultural productivity of small farmers, USAID Agricultural Value Chains (AVC) project is providing support to train local service providers on agricultural machineries.

Although number of farmers using mechanised agricultural tools is increasing day by day, many are still struggling as they lack the knowledge and services required for repair and maintenance of the machines, leading to low productivity and income, a statement of the USAID said.

To address this problem, USAID's Agricultural Value Chains (AVC) Project provided support to local private sector industry experts: Metal Agro, and ACI Machinery, to train a network of Local Service Providers (LSPs) on agro machinery maintenance and repair, the release added.

The LSPs turned into entrepreneurs and own agro machineries, render maintenance and repair services to farmers on a fee-for-service basis, and also enhance the farmers' knowledge in this regard.

Under the project, 429 LSPs have been trained, who are helping farmers improve machine management and attain cost efficiencies.