Kilosa
District authorities have commended initiatives taken by five
nongovernmental organisations to improve agricultural production in the
district through ‘climate smart agriculture’.
The organisations are Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG), National Network of Farmers’ groups in Tanzania (Mviwata), ActionAid Tanzania, Community Forest Conservation Network (Mjumita), and the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM).
Speaking during amedia outreach programme, Kilosa District Executive Director Masalu Gilihe said that there was a need to sustain and duplicate the new system of agriculture to other areas to increase food production.
He said however that it will depend on the availability of funds so that all villages can benefit from the new system. The new methods of farming involve spacing, minimal tillage, use of compost pit, animal manure and remains of crops which are covered on the soil to decompose and increase moisture and soil fertility.
“I urge the villagers through their leaders to make sure that they use the little resources they have to start the new agricultural system. The government is making every possible means to support their efforts,” he said.
The new agricultural system is being piloted in three villages of Kisongwe, Ibingu and Lunenzi in the district. For their part, the villagers said the new farming methods have enabled them to double production and they are now investing in other projects like poultry.
Chairman of Faraja group which has 30 members with demonstration farm at Kisongwe village, Lumbiji ward in the district, Israel Matei said that the training received has also helped them to conserve the environment and natural resources.
For her part, a farmer Leonia Michael said that the effects of climate change especially drought had discouraged many farmers but since they received new farming methods, they were sure of increasing production. “I call upon the farmers from other villages to ensure that they borrow a leaf from our new system of agriculture so that they can get more food,” she said.
For his part, the Chairman of Kisongwe village, Laurian Mkuchu advises the villagers to unite and form associations to demand better prices for their crops.
“We expect production to double this year. This means that we shall need more markets for our crops. In order to control the market prices, we need a strong voice, and we need to form associations,” he said.
The Project Officer, Regina Mathias, from Tanzania Forest Conservation Group urged the farmers to transmit the new methods of farming received to other villagers so as to have a big impact.
Commenting on the project, project agricultural officers, Ernest Jerome from TFCG and Amanzi Amanzi from Mviwata said that many villagers are now adopting the new agricultural system and after realising its benefits.
“We started with very few farmers, but today we have so many groups and each group has 30 members. Many other farmers are still joining on daily basis,” the former said.
The organisations are Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG), National Network of Farmers’ groups in Tanzania (Mviwata), ActionAid Tanzania, Community Forest Conservation Network (Mjumita), and the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM).
Speaking during amedia outreach programme, Kilosa District Executive Director Masalu Gilihe said that there was a need to sustain and duplicate the new system of agriculture to other areas to increase food production.
He said however that it will depend on the availability of funds so that all villages can benefit from the new system. The new methods of farming involve spacing, minimal tillage, use of compost pit, animal manure and remains of crops which are covered on the soil to decompose and increase moisture and soil fertility.
“I urge the villagers through their leaders to make sure that they use the little resources they have to start the new agricultural system. The government is making every possible means to support their efforts,” he said.
The new agricultural system is being piloted in three villages of Kisongwe, Ibingu and Lunenzi in the district. For their part, the villagers said the new farming methods have enabled them to double production and they are now investing in other projects like poultry.
Chairman of Faraja group which has 30 members with demonstration farm at Kisongwe village, Lumbiji ward in the district, Israel Matei said that the training received has also helped them to conserve the environment and natural resources.
For her part, a farmer Leonia Michael said that the effects of climate change especially drought had discouraged many farmers but since they received new farming methods, they were sure of increasing production. “I call upon the farmers from other villages to ensure that they borrow a leaf from our new system of agriculture so that they can get more food,” she said.
For his part, the Chairman of Kisongwe village, Laurian Mkuchu advises the villagers to unite and form associations to demand better prices for their crops.
“We expect production to double this year. This means that we shall need more markets for our crops. In order to control the market prices, we need a strong voice, and we need to form associations,” he said.
The Project Officer, Regina Mathias, from Tanzania Forest Conservation Group urged the farmers to transmit the new methods of farming received to other villagers so as to have a big impact.
Commenting on the project, project agricultural officers, Ernest Jerome from TFCG and Amanzi Amanzi from Mviwata said that many villagers are now adopting the new agricultural system and after realising its benefits.
“We started with very few farmers, but today we have so many groups and each group has 30 members. Many other farmers are still joining on daily basis,” the former said.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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