The Northern Young Farmers Network, a cooperative of 2,000 smallholder farmers mostly under the age of 35, has reported an average 40% increase in maize yields this season through the adoption of improved seed varieties, precision fertilizer application, and collective mechanization services.
Beyond production gains, the network has transformed the economics of smallholder farming by introducing collective bargaining for input purchases and crop sales. Members now buy seeds and fertilizers at bulk prices 25% below market rates and sell their harvests directly to processors at premium prices.
