Project Description

Pulses Projects:

EFF has been working with smallholder farmers in Tanzania from 2011, introducing alternative cash crops to improve farmer livelihoods. EFF started with the introduction of pigeon peas and green grams due to their constant market demand, being steady benefical cash crops to the smallholder.

Newala Project: Going Beyond Subsistence

EFF is in its fifth and last year of direct support to over 1,000 smallholder farmers in 7 villages in Newala District, Mtwara Region. Over the past four seasons EFF has actually seen the progress in the the Chilangala region reach over 2,500 smallholder farmers. Farmer training is done at demonstration plots of one acre and in January 2017, two varieties of pigeon pea and one type of maize were planted in blocks using different cultivation methods (DAP fertilizer, Farm Yard Manure and no fertilizer – control). Over the past few years, EFF has guided the unorganised, subsistence farmers to become active commercial farmers who are mobilised in small training groups. Farmers pigeon pea yields have increased due to the expanded size of cultivated land being used to grow the crop after the first few seasons high returns. Farmers have increased their pif=geon pea fields from half an acre to a full acre or more and the average yields now range from 100kg to 300kg per acre impacting their income boost from US$48 to $225. Projected production for this season in the region will be in the range of 150-250MT. These groups are part of larger producer groups that are linked to ETG for procurement and the NMB bank for input loans. This agricultural season, the ‘Going Beyond Demo’ (GBD) approach was extended to 50 selected farmers who received inputs and technical expertise beyond the demo plots, with the objective to encourage farmers to adopt new technologies and innovations while working on their own land, which in turn will encourage other farmers in the area to do the same.

Tanga Project and the Korogwe QDS Project: Improving Seed Quality

From 2013 until now EFF has reached over 3,000 smallholder farmers in the Tanga region and has seen yields per acre from ground zero increase to an average of 300kg per acre for pigeon peas and 350kg per acre for green grams in the 2015-2016 crop cycle. From crop production validation EFF this year is predicting harvest production to average 240MT in pigeon peas and 175 MT in green grams. The average price EFF farmers over the past four years have received for pigeon peas has been $750/MT and $1,100/MT for green grams resulting in an average increased income of US$225 for the farmers.

Following EFF’s engagement with over 3,000 smallholders in the Tanga region since 2013, the Korogwe Quality Declared Seed (QDS) project was initiated in 2016. The aim is to provide affordable good quality seeds to farmers who have received business and agronomic training on growing pulses from EFF, in collaboration with the local government through its extension staff. From February 2017, 1,000 kg of certified improved pigeon peas seeds, harvested locally under EFF’s QDS program in September 2016, are available, on sale, for planting at the onset of the rains. The pre-harvest estimate amounts to 90,000 kg of pigeon peas to be sold by the established producer groups to ETG through crop purchase agreements, at a minimum guaranteed price. This season EFF will increase the area of QDS multiplication to 3 acres of land made available by three primary schools in the project area, along with the cultivation of maize and cow peas as food security for the students. EFF’s Field Coordinator monitors the project implementation through regular visits and constant communication with two government field extension officers who have been appointed by the local government to implement the project activities by means of an MoU which defines the private-public partnership.

Babati Project: Advancing Demos

EFF is actively working in Babati and Karatu districts to support pigeon pea and sesame grower groups to access improved seed varieties. In January 2017, 12 demonstration plots were established in Galapo and Gendi wards in Babati district, with different varieties of pigeon pea and maize. EFF is the tools, inputs, business and agronomic training provider; SeedCo supplied maize seeds, ETG Inputs the fertilizers and the farmers contributed land and labour throughout the crop cycle, with ETG as the market buyer and a prediction of 150MT for this seasons crop. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local government through its extension staff and aims to increase the farmers’ knowledge on the cultivation of pigeon peas, improve the producer groups’ management skills and strengthen their link with ETG.

Shanta Mine Agricultural Project (SMAP): Rejuvenating Agriculture

The goal of the Shanta Mine Agricultural Project is to increase the farm productivity and net income of families living around the Shanta mines, and in particular, the resettled families; to create a sustainable agricultural infrastructure; and to protect the environment from further degradation. The intended outreach of the four year project is 7,000 smallholder farmers through a rotation of farmers groups. The goal is to promote cultivation of cash crops such as pigeon peas as a sustainable alternative to informal artisanal gold mining. Since the start of the project in November 2016, 4 demonstration plots have been established and 8 resettled families around the Shanta Mine have been supported with inputs and technical knowhow. Over 250 pigeon pea farmers received financial assistance through NMB Bank for the 2016/17 season and due to the establishment of demo plots for the first season, procurement will not take place until 2017/18 season. Farmer groups have been formed in Maleza, Mbangala, Patamela and Saza villages and training in group management and agricultural practices was given. Furthermore, various crops (maize, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, Bambara nuts and groundnuts) have been planted on the new land of the resettled families as food for the next season and support was given to the 6 other families of Elizabeth Hill. On the demonstration plots, different varieties of maize, sorghum, sesame and green gram, which will be harvested next week, have been planted using different methods to show the effects of fertilizer, intercropping, mulching and improved varieties.

 

 

CASE STUDY:

EFF saw the opportunity to introduce pulses and green grams to increase smallholder household income and reduce poverty in the Tanga region’s. Since 2013, this project has increased to encompass 20 villages directly impact over 3,000 smallholder farmers. 

Participant Name: Mwaliley Lazaro

Participant Age: Unknown

Participant Gender: Female

Participant Details:

Ms. Lazaro had a previous annual income of between USD$200-$350 before taking part in the Pigeon Pea project with EFF. She learnt of the project through the demonstration plots in the Tanga region. 

Participants details in the program:

She had no prior knowledge in farming pigeon peas and received crop training in order to implement best practices. She also received a SEED input loan of 16,520 TSH. Ms Lazaro had no prior experience farming pigeon peas and was successful with her first year of crops.

Results:

Ms Lazaro was able to achieve the optimum yield results set by the Research Institute in Tanzania and the SEED company with a total yield of 501kgs per acre. This has provided Ms Lazaro with a new source of income generation resulting in 384,280 TSH(USD$226) [(800TSH/kg x 501 = 400,800TSH Gross) – 16, 520TSH loan = 384,280TSH]

Conclusion:

With the increase of Ms Lazaros annual income with USD$226 (which was normally between $200-$350) she has significantly boosted her household income and intends to reinvest this amount into her farm. Ms Lazaro fully intends to continue with the pigeon pea program, as the education and training provided by the program led her to have a successful yield and increase her annual income significantly. The success of this program can be seen throughout the participants and has successfully introduced a new cash crop into the region and will continue to promote conservation agriculture within the Magoma Korogwe region of Tanzania.