Thriving Against Adversity: How myAgro Helped Aladji Overcome Price Increases

With limited resources, the increasing cost of basic necessities had put a strain on many farmers in Kanel Village, Senegal. Aladji Ndimbalane, a 39-year-old myAgro farmer and father of six from Kanal Village, is no stranger to adversity. He has faced numerous challenges over the years, from erratic weather patterns to fluctuating market prices.

“Prices of goods increased last year, everything we need in the house like oil and milk is now more expensive. Rice went from 11,000 CFA to 18,000 CFA. Even the clothing that we would buy for the children increased in price.” Aladji shares. 

Aladji joined myAgro in 2019 to increase his crop production and has stayed committed to the program ever since.  

“Before myAgro, I never had enough money to meet my household needs. What I could manage to yield was used for the household, and I had no surplus to sell. Now, I have enough in storage for my family and much more to sell.”

The training, support, and access to quality inputs like fertilizer have transformed Aladji’s life, enabling him to become financially stable and secure a better future for his family.

​​”I have seen a big difference between myAgro and non-myAgro fields. With myAgro, you get more yield, a lot more! In my first year with myAgro, I got 21 bags, and a neighbor who planted the same amount of land got seven bags. You get much better results when you use fertilizer. Without fertilizer, it is likely that you will get nothing at all. The only reason you might get something is if you use compost.”

With the implementation of enhanced agricultural practices acquired from myAgro’s training, Aladji has experienced a continuous increase in his yields over the years. By adopting techniques such as optimal fertilizer application and effective storage methods, Aladji has consistently achieved higher agricultural productivity. 

Aladji continues, “I got an excellent harvest for the 2022 season. From half a hectare that I planted with myAgro, I harvested 60 bags of groundnuts. On the other one hectare that I planted without myAgro, I only got 30 bags.” managing to double the yield on half the land he had planted with myAgro compared to the larger area he had planted without myAgro. 

Aladji’s increased harvest in the last 2 years have aided him in combating the challenges of price increases. Aladji also took advantage of the increased market prices due to the government’s price hike, allowing him to generate more income from his harvests. This additional income helped him cope with the rising prices of goods in the market, such as oil, milk, and clothing, which had become more expensive over the past year. Aladji’s success with myAgro not only resulted in higher yields but also provided him with a buffer against the impact of rising prices, enabling him to manage his household expenses better and provide for his family.

Aladji went on to share his plans for the future. “I want to expand my farm and try planting different crops, like maize and millet,” he said. “I also want to continue using myAgro’s services to learn more about modern farming techniques and further improve my yields.“

Aladji now pays for his children’s education without any financial constraints, ensuring they have access to quality education. He also used the surplus income to purchase livestock and is currently considering expanding his landholdings.

Aladji Ndimbalane’s partnership with myAgro transformed his life as a farmer. His success story is a shining example of how myAgro can empower farmers and contribute to rural development, positively impacting communities and individuals alike.