FREE COPY
0004 FEB - APRIL 2017
ISSN 00005613
OASIS YOUNG PLANT’S SUCCULENT BLOOMS
SOLAR
MORE THAN LIGHT TO FARMERS
BEAUTY WITHOUT THE BEAST MATILDA’S BIO INTENSIVE CROP PROTECTION
BACKYARD SUCCESS 1
Logistics at heart OUR PARTNERS
WELCOME TO TAHAFRESH TAHA Fresh is a premier logistics services provider in Tanzania. Established in 2008, TAHAFresh has become a one stop shop centre for logistics services which are tailored to its customers’ needs. Our company has evolved from horticulture cargo handling to integrated logistics services covering airfreight and sea/ocean freight forwarding, trucking, customs clearing and forwarding as well as insurance. Our local and international logistics experience uphold global standards and reliability, which has accorded us a good reputation as a trustworthy logistics company in Tanzania. We are proud that through our services we are able to connect cargo from Tanzania with the rest of the word and bring the world cargo to Tanzania and the rest of Africa. Commitment and excellence is core in our business, by using TAHAFresh you are assured of world class services from highly experienced and well-qualified professionals. TAHAFresh in an IATA Certified Agent, a proud member of FIATA and a member Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA).
2
OUR SERVICES Air Freight Sea Freight Trucking Clearing and Forwarding Insurance Import and Export ARUSHA OFFICE
DAR ES SALAAM OFFICE
Kanisa Road, Plot No. 49
Rita Tower, 21st Floor
P. O. BOX 16520 Arusha, Tanzania
P.O. BOX 7666 Tanzania
TEL/FAX: +255-27-2544568
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Mob: +255685630631
Mob: +255689630631
info@tahafresh.co.tz
info@tahafresh.co.tz
www.tahafresh.co.tz
www.tahafresh.co.tz
3
M ES S A G E F R O M TAHA CEO & CHAIRPERSON TFHL
I
t is my pleasure to present to you our 4th issue of Horticulture in Tanzania magazine and our first of 2017.
4
affordable and sustainable demanddriven services to the industry.
During 2016, TAHA achieved continued to improve the sector by providing quality and timely services to our Members. Our Commercial
We improved the TAHA Information System (TIS), which is benefiting more than 18,000 users via mobile phones. Through TIS, most farmers accessed market information, agronomic tips and information
wings TAHAFRESH Handling Ltd and Fresh2Sokoni Ltd have provided TAHA with additional reach, strength and resources to reasonably provide and maintain quality, reliable,
on buyers, which in turn improved their income. Moving forward, TAHA will upgrade TIS by digitalizing the system and adding features to accommodate market and
logistics information, agronomic tips, financial and input dealer’s information as well as gender and nutritional tips. I would like to thank our Donors, The Governments of Tanzania and Zanzibar, Our Members, TAHA Board and Implementing Partners. As we start 2017, I look forward to their continued support and collaboration in continuing to achieve our intent.
5
EDITORIAL TEAM MAGAZINE EXECUTIVES Jacqueline Mkindi Anthony P. Chamanga Amani Temu
Contents
F ro m t h e E d i t o r
MANAGING EDITOR
The success of Moza and Venerada
Sandra Kabongoyi
from the Red Jet variety of green
HALF AN ACRE DIFFERENCE Vegetables proven to be a profitable business
peppers by Rijk Zwaan, Matilda’s CONTRIBUTORS
backyard
Sandra Kabongoyi
vegetable and maize integration,
David Minga
Patience Minga and her billionaire
Louise Labuschagne
capsicums,
Paputa’s
dreams and Catherine and Rene’s
Simon Mlay
cuttings at Oasis farm in Moshi.
Peter Kossakowski
These
Andreas Gramzow
stories
not
only
make
Philipo Joseph
fascinating reads but also point out
Bhubhinder Singh
a uniform end goal. With different
P.10
backgrounds and means, they all SALES & MARKETING
set out with the same aspirations,
John Bambo
desires and a common target to
DISTRIBUTION TAHA Operations Department
O
ur absolute pride
attain success through farming while
at
thoroughly enjoying it.
TAHA
ability
our work
us at TAHA as horticultural facilitators
and around Tanzania towards
at different stages of the value chain
Kanisa Road, House no. 49
achieving
dreams.
to do our ultimate best in advancing
P.O. Box 16520 Arusha, Tanzania
Smallholder farmers are an
the sector in the country. We hope
tel/fax: +255 272544568
example of how hard work and
you enjoy our other insight stories
email:info@taha.or.tz
persistence contribute to the
www.taha.or.tz
on the increasing value of solar to
success of any business. As a
farmers and its impact beyond light,
way to highlight their efforts,
the write up on the first propagation
we bring you their stories of
lab in Tanzania by Mr. Mushobozi
perseverance, motivation and
and so many more, all enclosed
hard work that we are featuring
within our 4th issue of Horticulture
in our series of success stories
in Tanzania magazine.
Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA)
GRAPHICS & DESIGN Bakari. R. Kacheuka
in this issue.
P.38
6
their
farmers
These are the stories that motivate
in
PUBLISHER
with
to
is
P.12
P.33
8
MITI MINGI Enabling Agriculture through seedlings
10
BEAUTY WITHOUT THE BEAST Bio Intensive Crop Protection
12
SUCCULENT BLOOMS The Story of the Oasis Young Plants Cuttings
14
SOLAR More than light to Farmers
18
UNIVERSITY YOUTH On Horticulture, Food & Income Security
24
HOW ADOPTION OF VEGETABLE – MAIZE INTERGRATION Makes A Difference
26
THE MINGAS’ Retirement Dream of Commercial Farming
28
MUSHOBOZI On His First Tanzanian Propagation Lab
33
HERMETIC STORAGE TECHNOLOGY The Post Harvest Loss Solution
34
TAHA INFORMATION SYSTEMS (TIS) The Phone Application Lifting The Horticulture Industry
37
MATILDA’S Backyard Success with Capsicum Farming
38
TONNES OF SUCCESS FOR MOZA Rijk Zwaan’s Red Jet Velvet Green Pepper
40
7
Vegetables proven to be a profitable business Half an acre can make a difference
income from growing vegetables, he did not pay much attention to proper planning and production practices. However, the training provided by WorldVeg and HORTI-Tengeru, which focused on nursery management, good agricultural practices and postharvest handling of vegetable crops, changed his view of vegetable production. “Previously I did not considered market needs, I did not used any improved vegetable varieties, and I did not take care of proper sowing, transplanting, mulching or the timely use of appropriate fertilizers and pest control measures,” he said. “However, the training opened my eyes. I am now using a proper crop rotation, I use improved tomato, Ethiopian mustard, amaranth, and African nightshade varieties given to me by the project, and I certainly take care to apply good management practices. For example, during the last agricultural season [2016], due to changing my vegetable production approach, I was able to cover all inputs costs for my tomato plot (0.5 acres) such as pesticides, fertilizers and labor from a weekly sale of leafy vegetables (Ethiopian mustard), which was roughly TSH 60,000 [US$ 30)].”
Despite the dry weather, in August 2016 Mr. Mwinyijuma harvested 60 crates of tomatoes from a half-acre of land and sold 50 crates for TSH 40,000 [US$ 20] each, generating a total revenue of TSH 2 million [US$ 1,000]. During the same season, he harvested 86 bags of maize from 7 acres of land, of which he sold 60 bags at the farm gate for TSH 45,000 [US$ 22.5] per bag, generating a total revenue of TSH 2.7 million [US$ 1,350]. Three crops (maize, Ethiopian Mustard and tomato) provided him with a total revenue of almost US$ 2,700, in addition to the supply of maize and vegetables for household consumption. A little over a half-acre of land cultivated with vegetables provided Mr. Mwinyijuma with almost the same revenue he made from seven acres of land cultivated with maize.
“From the agribusiness training I learned to invest part of my revenues,” Mr. Mwinyijuma said. “I have already invested TSH 560,000 [US$ 300) from my vegetable sales to buy a 2-inch water pump, which simplifies irrigating and will enable me to grow more vegetables in the next season.” He smiled and said: “And I also bought a motorbike with that money.”
M
r. Mwinyijuma Bakari Kimweri is 51 years old and has been a vegetable farmer in Kaloleni village, Kiteto district, Manyara region in Tanzania for more than 14 years. He is among the 3,000 vegetable farmers who benefited from the partnership of the Africa RISING, NAFAKA and TUBORESHE CHAKULA programs for fast-racking delivery and scaling of agricultural technologies in Tanzania. Although Mr. Mwinyijuma had been generating a small amount of additional
8
After realizing how profitable it is to take vegetable production seriously, Mr. Mwinyijuma now has a more optimistic outlook for the future of his farm. Profitability for integrated maize-tomato production for Mr. Mwinyijuma Bakari Kimweri in 2016 Crop Area (acres) Harvest Con-sumed Unit Conver-ted Sold Price/unit Revenue to kg in TZS Maize 7 70 10 bag 100 60 45,000 2,700,000 Tomato 0.5 55 7 crate 45 50 40,000 2,000,000 Ethiopian 0.06 2,500 100 bunch - 2,400 200 480,000 mustard Total Actual Revenue 5,180,000 Revenue per acre Maize (April - August 2016) 385,714 Tomato (April - August 2016) 3,200,000 Ethiopian mustard (April - August 2016) 7,680,000
Revenue in USD 1,350 1,000 240 2,590 193 1,600 3,840
9
decided in 2016 to transfer the
seedlings
production of seedlings for their
increment in line with the market
respected
Miti
demand. Demonstration plot have
Mingi Nurseries. The investment
also been set up to allow farmers
in the right equipment and the
see first hand the benefits of quality
partnership and since thrived and as
seedlings.
customers
to
of today, Miti Mingi is perfectly able to produce seedlings in a special
with
prospects
of
Tissue Culture
potting mixture, which creates the
In the new year of 2017, Miti Mingi
best circumstances for seeds to
Nurseries is launching a brand
germinate.
produced
new venture of setting up a Tissue
include those of Cucumber, Tomato,
Culture Tanzania Laboratory. This
Cabbage, Sweet Pepper, Chili etc.
will enable the production of large
Seedlings
quantities of virus and disease free
MITI MINGI
IS ENABLING AGRICULTURE THROUGH SEEDLINGS Miti Mingi Nurseries was established at Mbosho, 25 kilometers from Moshi, on the slopes of the Kilimanjaro. It’s a perfect area to develop the right conditions for growing seedlings, which Miti Mingi staff has done successfully now since 2008.
There are several advantages for
planting material for crops such as
purchasing your seedlings abound
banana, cassava and sweet potato.
which include time saving, low
We are very excited about this new
transplanting
venture and hope to welcome many
losses
and
crop
uniformity. Whereas Miti Mingi can
of you as our customers.
be a facilitator in the purchasing of seeds, they too accept seeds being
Miti mingi is honored to have
conventional seedlings will take
brought to their lab and assisting
recently joined TAHA as members,
many years to start producing. The
in growing them on a customer’s
and are excited about the new
uniformity of your plantation is also
behalf.
partnership and are looking forward
much improved if grafted seedlings are used.
to a positive cooperation with all The current annual capacity of
members.
the vegetable nursery is 500,000 With the capacity to produce up to 100,000, Miti Mingi Nurseries Ltd has been able to graft fruit seedlings in a year with mango varieties such as of Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keith, Pavin and others. Avocados biggest demand is for Hass variety and Fuerte respectively.
Tree Seedlings Miti Mingi was not always a Nursery for all types of seedlings, like it is now. At the start, like the name mentions in Kiswahili, Miti Mingi was focused on trees. It was the time that the company expected strong efforts towards forestation in the areas around Kili and Meru. It thus anticipated to nurture growing indigenous tree seedlings and to make its expertise to provide others with
10
excellent
source
material.
However, these efforts did not
mangoes, avocados and citrus was
materialize fully, amongst other
on the rise. The growth since then
Vegetable seedlings
reasons because of an economic
has been steady and today, Miti
About one year ago, Miti Mingi
crisis.
Mingi is perfectly equipped and has
partnered with Rijk Zwaan/Afrisem
amassed great knowledge on how
for a small variety trial about
to grow and deliver high volumes
Vegetable seedlings. It should be
And so, fortunately, the focus
of consistent, quality fruit tree
mentioned that in many countries
shifted towards the production
seedlings.
around the world, hybrid vegetable
Fruit Tree Seedlings
of improved, grafted fruit tree seedlings which management had
There are numerous advantages of
prior great expertise with in growing
grafted seedlings with the biggest
different varieties and grafting as
one regarding their early fruit
demand for grafted seedlings of
production as early as in their 2nd or 3rd year after planting, whereas
seeds are more easily accepted if the Seed house can produce the seedlings or facilitate the production of the seedlings. It is based on Miti Mingi’s excellent reputation, that Rijk Zwaan/Afrisem
11
IPM programmes which have been
Tanzanian cuttings - a cut above the
intensive IPM programmes in East
been banned by the EU Commission
developed in Kenya, where Real IPM
rest of the world
Africa. This could be a significant
and the also in the USA. Why is this?
has a production base for a range of predatory mites and bio-pesticides made
from
bacteria.
natural
fungi
and
The successful Kenyan
experience of rose farmers is being rolled out in Tanzanian in companies such as Mount Meru Flowers, where
General Manager, Roddy Benjamin, is ensuring that they are able to meet the quality standards without excessive use of chemicals. It is a common observation that as fewer chemicals are applied to roses, the stems are longer and the head size is bigger.
Beauty
Tanzania boasts a developing seed production business.
such as East West Seed (Tanzania)
without the Beast By Louise Labuschagne
Sticky traps in roses greenhouse
T
he
Tanzanian
Companies
Ltd producing marigold seeds are starting to find that bio-pesticides have something to offer in their quest to improve crop protection. Resistance to chemical pesticides is a formidable problem globally and bio-intensive IPM is a useful resistance management tool.
Flower
for Real IPM Tanzania and Sam
Industry is set to flourish
Ngugi the Technical Manager for
as it takes up more bio-
Real IPM Kenya, to ensure that their
intensive crop protection
staff know how to use biological
programmes, made possible by the
alternatives to chemical pesticides
Registration in Tanzania of well
and still meet the quality and
proven bio-pesticides and predatory
yield targets. Real IPM has had the
mites. Integrated Pest Management
support of the Tanzanian Regulators,
programmes designed to reduce
who recognise the importance to
Why are some customers demanding
chemical inputs will help farmers
the Tanzanian Export Horticulture
a reduction in pesticide use on
counter the effects of resistance
industry of having alternatives to
flowers and plant cuttings, which
to chemicals and comply with
chemicals readily available. This
are not for human consumption?
market demands. TAHA was the first
should be of equal importance
How will the producer be able to
organization to hold numerous talks
on the local fruit and vegetable
rise to this challenge?
with the government from as early
markets in Tanzania.
important commercial questions,
as 2007 and facilitated trials and its due to these efforts that enabled
Whilst flowers are not consumed, the
the registration bio pesticides.
export markets are demanding lower
The Tanzanian rose and cuttings industry has been working with Gideon Ringo, Technical Manager
12
chemical residues. Some groups of pesticides such as neonicotinoids are banned by customers. Leading Tanzanian companies are adopting
T
he
cutting
industry
in
Real IPM Tanzania in 2016 heralds a more significant opportunity for Tanzanian flower farmers to follow suit. Beauty without the Beast.
These are
which are ignored at our peril. If the producer is going to maintain market share and gain access to discerning markets, this is not the
advantage
for
the
Tanzanian industry, able to use
Tanzania
holistic, affordable, prophylactic,
has established a good
bio-intensive IPM programmes.
reputation for high quality
The cuttings themselves are not
ornamentals markets around the
the final end product, since they
world. Much overseas investment
will be potted up on arrival in the
has empowered Fides (Tanzania)
EU and grown on into either pot
Ltd, Multiflower (Tanzania) Ltd and Dekker Bruins Ltd which have established nurseries near Arusha with easy access to air freight, experienced staff and input suppliers. These Tanzanian subsidiaries of well-respected European based companies have a greater ability to use cost effective bio-pesticides than their mother companies because of the local availability of affordable biopesticides and more than a decade’s commercial experience of bio-
Neonicotinoids threaten biodiversity
T
here
cuttings for the pot plant and
plants for decoration in houses or as transplants in cut-flower production greenhouses. Bees are not used to pollinate the cuttings and neither are bees present in domestic houses or the greenhouses where the cut flowers are later grown on in the EU. However, the customers of the EU
is
overwhelming
scientific evidence1 that the residues of neonicotinoids in pollen and seeds end
up in the insects such as bees that feed on the pollen of plants treated with neonicotinoids. Dust created during drilling of seeds treated with neonicotinoids also contains harmful residues of neonicotinoids whilst just a few seeds treated with neonicotinoids and eaten by birds can kill them.
pot plant and cut flower producers
It’s
have demanded that neonicotinoid
devastating effect on bees but also
pesticides are no longer used
1 https://www.soilassociation.org/media/4779/ myths-and-truths-about-neonicotinoids-bee-coalition.pdf 2 https://www.foe.co.uk/news/5-rea-
at any stage in the production including the production of cuttings in Tanzania.
not
just
because
of
the
2
Neonicotinoids have « Continued to Page 36
Gro-Plus
Seed treatment phosphate fertiliser
This all means a better return on investment. The establishment of
competitive
production
Up to
30%
Higher Yields • Easy to apply seed treatment Phosphate starter fertilizer for a range of field crops • Can be used alongside normal fertilizers, manure and compost • Leads to earlier germination and improved root structure
Realipm @Realipm
time for the ostrich to put its head
A member of Biobest group
For more information
in the sand. Real Solutions | Real Farming
Contact: (+255) 757 053 012 | (+254) 725 806 086
Visit: www.realipm.com
13
Cover Story Christine Brandsma and Rene Kleinveld established the Oasis Young Plants greenhouses farm located near Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania in 2008. Prior to that they first visited Ethiopia scouting for land to set up a flower farm. They were discouraged by the political state of the country then and the unsuitable weather conditions. A friend mentioned the possibility of Northern Tanzania and they planned a trip – they were charmed, it was the perfect fit they were looking for in terms of climate and logistics. And as they say, the rest is history.
I
t would take them 2 and half
The succulents including Rhipsalis,
space in Arusha that was being
years before they found a proper
Haworthia, Echeveria, Crassula and
demanded back fast before the full
piece of land. Some of the
Peperomia that grow in deserts and
propagation of the succulents and
logistical attributes that made the
the savannah are very low in water
before the Spanish imported ones
location attractive were the vicinity
consumption – a unique selling
were due. However, even with the
of the Kilimanjaro International
point; have various beautiful shapes
well-established infrastructure, it
Airport, availability of labour that
would
greatly
improve the quality
Succulent BLOOMS By Sandra Kabongoyi
and
brilliant
colours
is still insufficient in meeting their
and an unbeatable
clients’ demands. There is need to
shelf
of the cuttings due to singular
life.
expand. “The demand is bigger than
Whereas
what we can supply,” says Christine.
difficult
propagate
“This is because the products we have are very hard to propagate and we do not have a lot of competitors. Our happy clients are professional growers all around demanding for more.”
and breed,
They will thus take their prior
placement
to
method
and take
in
grow,
bio gradable
a
h o l d e r s
time
long to
used by the employees rather
than
bundle placement as
is
the
Oasis
practice
plants
in Europe; and a great
young has
successfully managed
water supply source for the farm.
to be the only propagators
The borehole that is the main
and breeder of about half of the
source of water is 80 metres deep,
their variety products in the world.
with superb water quality almost comparable to rainwater and thus
The farm is comprised of 4 green
does not require purification before
houses, 2 of which cover one
being used on the cuttings through
hectare each that were imported
a drip irrigation method.
from Spain and another 2 at the back of the farm constructed with
Oasis
14
young
specializes
local materials and mainly steel,
in the production of cuttings of
which combined, cover half a
indoor
production
hectare. The latter constructions of
cycles stretching from 6 months
the two locally made greenhouses
to 2 years, making them unique
were on a crush programme. The
to other flower production cycles.
company had rented greenhouse
plants
plants with
experience of working with local materials to construct their first “Tanzanian made greenhouse” as Rene, the company’s Managing Director, confidently puts it. The irrigation, netting and plastic will be imported but the rest of the materials are going to be locally sourced. Oasis
Young
Plants
Ltd.
also
propagates orchids. 2008 was the year the orchid market collapsed in Europe due to over production but this too did not deter them. They started small with approximately 200 plants in propagation even after being advised against it
15
by a shareholder. There was an
better equip their employees with
who now better understand the
inquisitive local market that they
basic understanding of personal
importance of the development
tapped into in and around Tanzania
accounts and to be contributing
of children at that level and were
and it paid off. Whereas the concept
partners in the homework studies
happy to show us around the school
of keeping orchids was entirely
of their children. This they achieved
and the activities which the children
new, the Tanzanian women have
through outsourcing of teachers
are involved in.
taken it with pride and this has
from
been a gratifying experience for
Weru secondary school for the
The management of Oasis Young
the organization proprietors who
program run on the premises. The
Plants Ltd. is thankful to the
have built relationships with these
employees are also a part of sports
Tanzania Horticultural Association
amazing women. These clients are a
teams for soccer and volleyball with
(TAHA), which has been of great
part of the minority 2 percent local
encouraged participation as part of
help as advisors in the field of
market of their overall production,
their recreational plan.
labour
the
neighbouring
Weru
laws
and
government’s
legal regulations. They credit it
which leaves the rest 98 percent for Oasis Young Plants Ltd. has put in
as a source of information for
place a strong social community
numerous issues which has been
responsibility
on
indispensable to them especially
employment for the surrounding
education and gives back to the
as foreign investors during the
community
off
community as much as possible
almost 10 years they have been in
with 80 employees, who have
through supporting construction
operation. This has been parcel of
now doubled to 160. 70 percent
of schools and a Church. They have
their long-term sustainability in the
of these are female and 30 male.
also put up a day care school on the
business and has enabled a cordial
This, they regard as their biggest
farm that accommodates twenty
relationship with the environment
achievement - the possibility to
children aged between 2 and 6
they operate in. However, with the
provide employment and be a part
years from 8 to 5pm during the
ongoing
of household income generation
week. This is to support the working
situation
of the surrounding community.
mothers who cannot afford help and
investors, Christine and Rene are
They have also invested in creating
are unable to leave their little ones
a bit skeptical about the future
conducive
environment
at home with no assistance. There
of the business. They are hopeful
for their employees. An example
are two teachers who recently got
that things will get better and the
is the startup of a simple English
a 5-week training from a consultant
investment climate more conducive
and Maths one-hour programme
brought in from Europe. The training
for
in the evenings from 4.30pm, to
gave an evident boost in quality
operation in Tanzania.
export, mainly to Europe. The
organization having
working
has
created
started
programme
their
unpredictable regarding
continued
political foreign
successful
Please visit our greenhouses near Moshi or our website: www.orchidsinafrca.com | Info: info@orchidsinafrica.com Priscilla: 0672473567 / Christine: 0756730125
SALES OF ORCHIDS, ANTHURIUM, BROMELIA &SUCCULENTS
IN EAST AFRICA
and competence to the teachers
16
17
M
ore than 600 million Sub-Saharan lack
Africans
access
to
electricity. With rapid
population growths, this number can only increase. However, in the past years solar energy has taken off as one of the major alternative energy sources in rural areas. In Tanzania specifically, it is estimated that approximately 80% of the
Mobisol system installation in Tanzania
Solar
MORE THAN LIGHT TO FARMERS By Peter Kossakowski and Sandra Kabongoyi
population have no access to reliable grid-based
electricity.
However,
only 5% of this vast population is
Mobisol Technicans Training, Tanzania
currently addressed by solutions like off-grid solar power. In order to fill this gap, renewable energy companies have set up offices and stations in and around the country. One such is Mobisol, a Berlin-based company
offering
low-income
many farmers due to lack of water.
system and Faki has become an
Solar energy has improved certain
exemplary farmer in his community
areas of this challenge by providing
due to his horticultural success and
an alternative source of powering
an inspiration to his community
water pumps in rural areas.
members who come to learn from his farm. Whereas solar energy
customers in developing nations
Faki Hanafi, a commercial farmer at
quality solar home systems that are
is
Umbuji village in Unguja, Zanzibar,
a clean alternative to unhealthy,
use of sun radiation for lighting
10 minutes from Mpapa PTC is
environmentally
households, the main focus for
among many farmers who adopted
expensive fossil fuels. The German
farmers lies on solar powered water
improved
startup that was established in
pumps
utilization of solar energy to pump
the Tanzanian market since 2012
which are becoming more and
water for his 4 acres of farmland on
and has thus far sold more than
more important as rain seasons
which he grows different varieties
50,000 solar home systems in
become more unpredictable and
of vegetables. The farm is stalled
Tanzania. The company has proven
long dry spells of drought more
with solar power irrigation water
common. After adopting improved
harmful,
and
its business model and is happy to
technologies
on
the
mostly
associated
and
irrigation
with
the
systems,
have contributed to a better life of 250,000 Tanzanians. While travelling around the rural areas of Tanzania, Solar panels are such a common sighting. Solar energy has become a booster to household
run
businesses
and
is now becoming an important aspect for smallholder farmers. The worldwide climate change is reshaping the life in Tanzania. With recent longer periods of draught leaving many farmer businesses straining
and
with
reported
dramatic decreases in harvests of
18
Mobisol Tanzania, Arusha, Workshop
19
multiple phone charging options. These systems have been used as sources of income for family businesses and night lighting for vegetable vendors in markets as opposed to early business closure time in the evenings which cuts out the evening after work customers due to lack of lighting. The solar investment is thus worth investing in with its numerous benefits which is greatly facilitated by an affordable payment scheme over 3 years and the guaranty of a high quality product with free installation and maintenance service. Mobisol has realized the diverse purposes with which solar can be put to use regarding agriculture and is going forward with investing in better technology by setting up a learning research lab that will
technologies
and
realizing
the
production cycles.
various
benefits, Faki invested his profits
NGO’s
and
entered the Tanzanian market to
into the expansion of his plot from
provide these solar lights for a fair
0.4 to 2.43 hectares and started
affordable technology, which has
and affordable price. There have
also started growing different other
been proven to work efficiently and
been great benefits of solar lights
crops such as green pepper.
can be built easily from common
ranging from helping improved
and locally available materials -
lifestyles in rural Tanzanians by
A very basic water pump setup can
a very cost effective method to
getting rid of hazardous kerosene
be a special Direct Current (DC)
dry food for longevity and value
lamps to offering bright light for
water pump, which pumps the water
addition
sale.
reading and studying at night. The
from a well to a storage tank only
Examples of these on the Tanzanian
government of Tanzania (e.g. TBS,
when the sun is shining or, when
market are dried fruit of mangoes,
TRA) has also been instrumental
batteries are connected to enhance
bananas,
Orange
in the solar energy movement by
more capacity at night, especially
Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) and
fighting against counterfeit products
for wells with slow flow rates. This
so many others. With a longer shelf
and allowing the importation of high
combined with an irrigation system
life of dried fruit, the farmer is thus
quality solar products VAT-free.
(either solar powered or simple
less dependent on special harvest
drip technology) creates a perfect
seasons and post harvest losses.
coconut
before
and
and secure solution for small - and
Running by the “Best Life. Best Solar” slogan,
Mobisol’s
biggest
large-scale farmers and enables
system provides enough energy
the farmer a more reliable source
been in the Tanzanian market for
to power multiple lights, a home
in comparison to grid power and
a long time and are widely spread
entertainment
thus better chances of consistent
and common. Over the past years,
32’’ TV, a Subwoofer, haircutter and
20
encourage production of improved
and test it and its feasibility in the
and more efficient water pumps,
Tanzanian context with the hope
irrigation systems, egg incubators
of helping more farmers such as
and agro-processing machinery for
Faki on achieving their dreams of
the East African audience especially
becoming the leading horticulture
in rural areas where electricity is
businessmen as Faki happily states
rare and even if available, highly
of his future plans.
unreliable. The new lab will work
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Pata mtambo wa sola wenye nguvu zaidi _ 0800 755000 Bure
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NI RAHISI: Lipia kidogo kidogo hadi miaka 3 umiliki sola yako
solar
Solar lights and lanterns have
system
on only solar powered technology
companies
Solar drying is also a simple and
purposes
focus on working on projects to
including
Tunapatikana mikoa ya Arusha, Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Pwani, Singida, Tabora, Dodoma, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Geita, Mara, Kagera, Simiyu, Mbeya, Songwe, Njombe Rukwa, Iringa na Ruvuma.
karibu@mobisol.co.tz www.mobisol.co.tz mobisoltanzania
21
AgroZ ® is the umbrella brand for all products dedicated to Agriculture and Horticulture, which are manufactured by A to Z Textile Mills Ltd. and Polyfoam Ltd., based in Arusha, Tanzania. ®
®
Net
AgroZ® Net is recommended for building low cost GREEN-HOUSES and NET-HOUSES that helps to increase vegetable yields up to 40%, while reducing pesticides use up to 80%. AgroZ®Net is a High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) net for microclimate modification and the exclusion of insect pests in the protected cultivation of horticultural crops – vegetables, fruits and ornamentals. AgroZ® Net comes in two mesh sizes of 0.4 mm and 0.9 mm. AgroZ® Net 04 is recommended for use in Tomatoes, Sweet Pepper, Cucumber and all seedlings production. It is also recommended for use in Brassicas (Cabbages, Broccoli, Pak Choi, etc.), other Leafy Vegetables, French Beans and Watermelon
®
Shade Net
AgroZ® Shade Net providing 55%, 75% and 90% shade are used in ornamental horticulture, coffee seedling production and in vegetable production. AgroZ® Shade Net comes in a roll size of 2 m x 100 m
®
Crate
AgroZ® Crates are Stackable, Nestable, Strong and durable, made from food grade HDPE plastic. Treated for UV protection. Weighs 2 kg when empty. External dimensions are: L 63 cm x W 38 cm x H 30 cm. Can carry 18 kg of French Beans or 25 kg of Tomatoes. AgroZ® Crates come in many basic colors.
Bag
AgroZ® Bag is a water-resistant and gastight storage solution for a vast range of dry agricultural commodities. It comes with an inner liner and an outer woven polypropylene (WWP) raffia sack. Made of multi-layer barrier prpperties, it preserves commodities for a long period of over a year without the risks of moisture gain, post-harvest storage infestation and fungal growth. AgroZ® Bag stops mold growth, decreases food losses and aflatoxin contamination. AgroZ® Bag is recyclable and pesticide-free hermetic storage technology, that preserves the quality and germination capacity of stored grains. AgroZ® Bag is recommended for the storage of all grains and pulses, primarily: Maize, Dry Beans, Peas and also Rice, Sorghum, Millet, Soybeans, Seeds, Wheat, Cocoa, Coffee, etc.
AgroZ® Net 04 and 09 comes in a roll size of 5.5 m x 30.0 m.
AgroZ® Shade Net covering a coffee seedlings nursery
Once nested they occupy only 50% space, during transport or storage when empty ®
Ground Cover
AgroZ® Ground Cover is a thick woven plastic cover, treated for the UV protection. Used for the control of weeds. Preserves moisture in the soil.
A great tool for fruit and vegetable crops. Can be used for 3 - 5 years. AgroZ® Ground Cover comes in a roll size of 1.6 m x 200 m.
Maize, Sorghum and Cow Peas still fresh after 12 months in the AgroZ® Bag
A to Z Textile Mills Ltd.
P.O. Box 945, Arusha, Tanzania - Tel.: +255 788 808 534 / +255 782 800 008 info@azpfl.com - www.azpfl.com
22
By the Farmers’ Side
23
University Youth
in Food & Income Security
job market is not able to absorb
them a practical understanding of
important quality features of their
all graduates released by colleges
operating horticultural businesses.
produce especially size, colour,
and universities every year. Recent
shape, weight and aroma improved
studies have confirmed that about
Through these initiatives, which
significantly and hence command
1,200,000 students graduate from
have
for better farm gate price.
higher
in
more than 5,000 youth, we have
Tanzania annually. From these, only
witnessed escalating numbers of
This season, the group expects to
200,000 are absorbed into formal
youth engagements in horticulture
fetch a farm-gate price of Tshs. 2,400
employment, which is slightly less
production. Some even ditched
/kg in which total revenue will be
than 6% of total graduates annually.
white collar jobs like Ben Mashiba,
Tshs 19,200,000 in just one acre. An
a young entrepreneur from Njiro,
initial investment in this one-acre
In reducing unemployment crunch,
Arusha who resigned from formal
is Tshs 870,000 which is used for
Tanzania Horticultural Association
employment as an Accountant which
land preparation, crop protection,
(TAHA) has been engaging thousands
was earning him a monthly salary of
labor, fertilizer and seedlings. One
of youth in various Universities in
Tshs 800,000 to pursue a tomato
youth is expected to make over Tshs
a bid to unveil to them lucrative
and
production
18,000,000 in one garlic production
self-employment
venture which currently earns him
season and the whole group will
up to 10 times his previous salary in
collectively
learning
available chains.
in
institutions
opportunities
horticulture
Moreover,
TAHA
value has
helped
sweet
TAHA
pepper
to
reach
one month.
income will not only be beneficial to
to the youths, but also the entire
young graduates,
surrounding communities. It will
there are youth
have a multiplier effect to the Dhirim
create employment for
groups
Valley community in uplifting the
themselves and others
were
through
through
engage
their
energy, and
In
youthful
enthusiasm
knowledge
to
commercial
horticulture.
This
that inspired
area economic development level.
various
TAHA promotional
has
The Dhirim Valley initiative is one of many youth initiatives, which
engaged in horticulture
TAHA has started. These initiatives
Universities and Colleges in Arusha,
production such as Dhirim Youth
have managed to change lives
Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro. The
Group
in
of more than 2,000 youths by
use of Practical Training Centers, an
Mbulu; which is enjoying technical,
providing them with reliable and
initiative that TAHA is implementing
marketing and access to finance
sustainable employment through
in collaboration with USAID TAPP,
services from TAHA. The group,
horticulture. These achievements
HORTI Tengeru, Sokoine University
which has 100 young farmers, owns
are attributed to US Government
of
achieved
programs
through
participating in Careers Day at
from
Dhirim
valley
and
Kizimbani
120 acres of farmland collectively
support through USAID’s Feed the
Training
Institute
which is committed for production
Future Initiative that has facilitated
in Zanzibar, have been another
of garlic. Initially, productivity used
TAHA to extend its services to
worthwhile platform for meeting
to be 4,000kgs of garlic bulbs per
farmers in horticulture production
young students and graduates.
acre, which gave them an average
areas in the country. Such initiatives
Apart
initiative,
income of Tshs. 8,000,000 per acre.
are becoming more important in
TAHA has deployed more than 50
After receiving technical support
addressing youth unemployment
oung people are in dying need of decent jobs that
B.Sc. Horticulture students from
through intensive practical trainings
challenges as formal employment
will help them realize their aspirations, improve
Sokoine University of Agriculture
in a demonstration plot, production
opportunities are becoming less
their living conditions and actively participate in
(SUA) for field practical trainings
per acre doubled from 4,000 kgs of
and less limited.
economic development of their country. However,
with different companies to give
garlic bulbs to 8,000kgs per acre.
Agriculture
Agriculture
24
addition
and
been
This notion is gradually taking a different turn as good numbers of young people are increasingly defying this common thinking and engaging in commercial horticulture employing youthful energy, enthusiasm and knowledge.
almost
Tshs 2 Billion in one season. This
been challenging them to
Until recently farming undertakings never sounded appealing to youth because traditionally, old people in the villages did farming.
generate
Y
this has not been the case because the Tanzania
from
the
PTC
After TAHA interventions, some
25
TSH 200-300 per bundle. This brought him an additional profit of TSH 330,000 [USD 157] after harvesting maize, when the land usually is left fallow. “Last year (2015) was a bad year with very low maize yields due to a severe drought. But the vegetables contributed a lot to our household income and consumption. And this actually brought my attention to the fact that vegetables can do, what cereal crops might not, namely, to gain yields in times of climate variability” said Mr. Puputo. For
Make a difference:
Adopt vegetable-maize integration
“
When the AVRDC/ HORTI Tengeru team delivered the training in our village last year, I thought of adopting the practices taught and the varieties given by the project. And I did. No farmer in our village has ever tried integrating maize with vegetables. I did and it turned out to be very successful. I could contribute more vegetables to feed my family and I sold a lot,
26
too. Even that much that I don’t need to weed my fields anymore since I can pay others to do it for me” says an old man, Mr. Omary Puputo with a wide smile on his face. He is the chairman of the farmer group in Sunya village that has been trained under the Africa RISING-NAFAKA partnership project for fast tracking delivery and scaling of agricultural technologies in Tanzania.
Mr. Puputo is an energetic old man aged 69-years. From the varieties introduced by AVRDC, Mr. Puputo integrates amaranths (Madiira I), African nightshade (Nduruma) and jute mallow (SUD 2) into his one acre maize field. In the first season, he integrated African nightshade in his maize field and harvested 1600 bundles, of which his household and neighbors consumed 300 bundles and 1300 bundles were sold for
the new season (2016), Mr. Puputo planted even three leafy vegetables encouraged by the last years’ results. On another one-acre plot he planted amaranth, African nightshade and jute mallow together with maize. While leaving one-meter space between the maize rows, Mr. Puputo has sown two rows of one of the leafy vegetables Mr. Puputo has been a beneficiary and became a strong disseminator of the trained technologies in his village. “Improved varieties and agronomic practices changed my normal way of farming and from now on, I know how to utilize my resources better than before. Before the training, I used to sow the seeds rampantly and transplanted without considering spacing or other
Crop
Season
Nightshade
2015
Amaranths
Harvested (bundles)
Consumed Revenue (bundles) (TSH)
Status
1600
300
330,000 complete
2015/16
600
100
100,000 in the field
Jute mallow
2015/16
200
50
30,000 in the field
Nightshade
2015/16
260
60
40,000 in the field
2660
510
Total
510,000 (US $ 243)
Table 1: Summarizing Mr. Puputo’s additional profits from vegetable/maize integration.
agronomic practices. However, very soon after applying the skills taught during training, I could see the difference” Mr. Puputo said. Mr. Puputo and other farmers from Sunya village who participated in the AVRDC/ HORTI Tengeru training also started to reproduce the varieties handed out to them by the project team. He and other members of the training group do not only share some of their seeds with others, they also teach them how to grow and reproduce the seed for their own production. Since the demand for new varieties and high quality seed is still very high in most of the nine pilot villages located in Babati, Kiteto and Kongwa Districts, the project team decided to establish
with the farmer groups new demonstration plots that mainly aim to reproduce more seeds for farmers. Farmers can reproduce those varieties scaled out by AVRDC/HORTI Tengeru for at least 4-5 seasons. This scaling project has brought success to Mr. Puputo and supports other vegetable growers in Manyara, Dodoma, Morogoro and Iringa Regions. Since October 2014, the project team has introduced vegetables best practices and improved vegetable varieties to 12 villages in the four regions, trained 381 farmer trainers and provided almost 1,000 farmers with AVRDC vegetable seed packs of improved varieties ready to be grown for home consumption and for sale in local and regional markets.
27
Law from the USA, and a Diploma in Taxation, she eagerly says she looked forward to retirement and working on something with which she
would
involve
her
whole
family. A mother of 3, Patience has made sure that they are all a part of the commercial farming business, with her husband taking lead role as the farm manager and residing on the premises located in Mungushi village Bwawani about 35 kilometers from Arusha. The family traditionally grew maize and beans; and kept the practice for purposes of keeping the farm active during the planning process of what crops to plant and technicality understandings towards bringing the farm to life - her dreams
After
The Mingas
Before
“I have acquired
enough experience and I don’t worry about my second season.”
28
P
materialized
into
reality.
The traditional growing methods were
seasonal,
however,
they
understood that to successfully cultivate the land, they would have to make investments that would be beneficial even in off seasons. Through TAHA, Patience Minga was introduced to some input providers
We Are Living Our Retirement Dream atience
have
such as Wade Rain with whom she was able to acquire a comprehensive irrigation system. She expressed
Minga
joined
11 tonnes were produced, 4 of which
her sincere gratitude towards the
commercial farming after
were rejects. The income garnered
Wade Rain. Mrs. Minga management
30 years in civil service.
totaled to 4.9 million Tanzanian
and especially the General Manager,
She was employed first
shillings. Her future dreams are of
Brittany, who was able to make
with the government and later
increasing the farming cultivation
several trips to the farm and give
joined Tanzania Revenue Authority
activity to 50 acres of the 100 acres
advice regarding the successful,
from 1996 to 2014 where she was
owned by the family and the rest
set up of the now functional drip
based in Arusha and Kilimanjaro
50, rented out.
irrigation system. The farm started
regions. The 100-acre farm is part of the family business and retirement
Patience,
a
plan for the Minga couple, having
keeps laughing cheerfully during the
acquired the property 12 years ago
interview when she mentions her
in 2004. Cultivation is currently
billionaire dreams of horticulture
being carried out on only 3 acres for
farming.
watermelon production from which
honors degrees in Management and
A
playful
graduate
63-year-old
with
two
commercial cultivation and picked a short season crop of watermelons, which were harvested after 5 months with great success. Where as Patience, mentions that they encountered post harvest losses, she insists that they were minimal
and did not affect the overall return
as Wade Rain and the agronomic
on investment.
assistance received from TAHA as some of the secrets to her current
Commercial farming has not come
success.
easily to Patience and her family and says that it has not been easy
Minga’s journey began with a visit
to cope with the changes that they
to Farmer’s Day Exhibitions (Nane
experience basing on their past
Nane) a national annual event that
backgrounds. “ We are still in the
is dedicated to farmers and their
learning process regarding farming.
plight in the contribution to the
We have had big changes from our
economy of the country. She visited
former professions for myself and
different service provider booths
for my husband who is an engineer.”
but what particularly impressed her
she says. She credits having the right
was TAHA’s stall; where her farming
people with the right expertise such
ambitions were encouraged and
29
Complete
IRRIGATION Solutions Drip Complete line of drip equipment including tape, emitterline and a new Lay Flat surface supply hose that eliminates trenching in the field.
Greenhouse & Nursery
several
terminologies
regarding
explanation I knew that nothing
and I don’t worry about my second
good
agricultural
practices
was going to stop me from reaching
season.”
explained to her, which she currently
my goals.” She said happily. She
applies on her farm. The learning
praises The Tanzania horticultural
There have been some unavoidable
process was solidified and the ball
Association (TAHA) for assisting her
challenges, one of which was the
set in motion for her billionaire
in various activities in her farming
price fluctuations of watermelons.
farming dreams which she is still
activities and their help especially
After harvest, the prices were low
working upon with great belief that
during the first year of production.
leading to low margin returns
they will come true.
Assistance regarding the kind of
in comparison to their expected
watermelon seeds to use, sending
returns. Another major challenge is
“I can’t forget that day when I went
agronomists to assist where she
the scarcity of water in and around
to Nane Nane, at the TAHA’s booth.
was unsure and encouraging her
the village the farm is located.
I learnt so much on horticulture
every step of the process until the
They have had to drill through the
and that was the trigger. I had been
final stage. She goes on to say, “I
ground for a water source from
hesitant but after that exposure and
have acquired enough experience
which water is pumped overnight
30
Pressure compensating, self-cleaning drip emitters for easy operation. Overhead jets & sprays also available.
Poweroll Labor-saving semi-automated overhead sprinkler system for all types of terrain and soil.
Micro Micro sprinklers for orchard irrigation.
Full-Service Warehouse in Arusha
Wade Rain East Africa Ltd.
Located along the Moshi-Arusha Hwy, Makumira Area Usa River, ARUSHA
bdouglas@waderain.com | +255 756 640 069
www.waderain.com 31
MR. MUSHOBOZI’S FIRST OF A KIND CROP PROPAGATING LAB IN TANZANIA By Zephania Ubwani
A into the 20,000-liter tanks and then
but this too is costly. Her faith has
dispersed to the farm through the
not faltered as she plainly states that
drip irrigation system. The water
each business has got its challenges
system has been effective, thanks to
and these are hers; with her advice
Wade Rain’s tireless input but also,
to other farmers particularly the
it has been expensive. This too has
ones in the horticulture industry
faced shortcomings from the lack of
being on keeping the faith and
grid electricity and the farm solely
having belief in what they are doing
relies on a generator for electricity.
and keeping their dreams alive.
There is the wild life of dik diks in
Minga
the area that destroy crops planted.
government to help farmers within
She plans on fencing off the farm to
the sector,
avoid theft cases and trespassers
also
calls
upon
the
Government should have more input, by investing in farmers like us who can contribute a lot to the nations economy in a very short time. They should finance us, educate the younger farmers, and they should reduce the importation duty on different agriculture inputs.
Minga concluded.
32
t his modern lab facility in Kisongo on the outskirts of Arusha on the Dodoma road, is a farm expert keen to unlock the agricultural potential of Tanzania. The ambitious Crop Bioscience Solutions Limited programme was first licensed in Dec. 2011 as the first commercial crop biotech company in Tanzania applying biotechnology techniques for mass multiplication of vegetative propagated crops to farmers. In operation since 2012, the proprietor Mr. Mushobozi believes that the establishment is very central and vital to the country’s needs to improve the management of agricultural production in order to address the problem of food insecurity and rural poverty by unlocking agricultural potential through the application of biotechnology along with principles and methods of crop production. Wilfred Mushobozi is no new comer to the agricultural sector. Until 2006, he worked as the National Army Worm Forecaster/ National coordinator for the ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives. He decided to leave after15 years and establish Eco Agri Consultancy Services Limited – a consultancy firm with four main areas of focus on capacity building, research, agri-
business and farm management that would look into the problems affecting the agriculture sector in Tanzania. Whereas consultancies were not deemed viable in agriculture, with his expertise he decided try it, after identifying a niche in the agricultural market and is happy with the success it has garnered. Most of the consultancy work carried out includes collaborations with the horticultural sub sector mainly managed by commercial farmers, including investors from outside the country with most of the horticultural farms concentrated around Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. Crops being propagated are bananas, cassava, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, coffee and strawberries. “This is a commercial biotechnology facility. We produce on mass scale vegetative plantlets applying bio-tech techniques for mass multiplication of diseasefree, true-to-type elite clones of vegetative propagated crops which we then sell to farmers through the Tanzania Horticulture Association (TAHA) and other stakeholders”, Mushobozi explains. The mass seeds result in high production yields thus high revenue for the farmers. The labs, which bear hallmarks of
a modern high tech facility, are located at Loovilikuny-Kisongo CMC. The centre is well equipped with necessities of biotechnology surrounding requirements; inoculation room, culture transfer room, sterilization area, washing area and growth room, is fitted with automated temperature and humidity regulators. The tissue culture labs with a diagnostic centre and nurseries are built on a two-acre piece of land. The technology touches different sectors of knowledge regarding agriculture and a collection of techniques used to maintain or grow plant cells, tissue culture or organs under sterile conditions on a nutrient culture medium. Plant tissue culture applied at Mr. Mushobozi’s Crop Bioscience Solutions lab is widely used to produce clones of a plant in a method known as micro propagation. Different techniques in plant tissue culture may offer certain advantages over traditional methods of propagation. These include the production of exact copies of plants that produce particularly good flowers, fruits or have other desirable traits, to quickly produce mature plants and the production of multiples of plants in the absence of seeds or necessary pollinators to produce seeds. The company CEO explained and emphasized that the centre is targeting smallholder, medium and few commercial farmers. Since establishment, about a quarter a million farmers have been reached from Bukoba in the Lake Zone, mostly for distribution of coffee and sweet potato plantlets propagated at the centre. Other zones where the company has presence are central, northern, southern highlands and Zanzibar. The organization has been working with the district councils, the agricultural extension officers and collaborating with the Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TACRI) at Lyamungo in Kilimanjaro, TAHA and RECODA (Research, Community and Organizational Development Associates, an NGO based in Arusha) to reach as many farmers as possible.
33
HERMETIC STORAGE TECHNOLOGY (HST) The Post Harvest Loss Solution. The hermetic storage bag technology preserves dried cereals without the use of any pesticide dust. Statistics collected by USAID KAVES and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries confirm that current levels of postharvest losses are at least 15 percent in strategic maize production zones and much higher in some of the food insecure areas. The Hermetic bag is safe, affordable for the on-farm storage and allows small-scale farming families to keep grains year-round for household consumption while providing them with a marketable asset in case of emergency.
their sub-contractors Rural Urban Development Initiatives (RUDI) & BRITEN. The initiative is expecting an overwhelming response through these
promotion
activities
and
the financing options to the AgroDealers launched by the Equity Bank with funds from AGRA. Monolayer vs. Multilayer Liner: The hermetic storage technology (HST) bag consists of an inner liner(s) and a woven polypropylene (WPP) outer bag for protection. There are two technologies for the manufacturing of HST inner liners: The monolayer, which consists of one layer and only one compound, can be used for extrusion. Normally
H
HDPE (high density poly ethaline)
How the bags should be stored
is used which is opaque and brittle.
ow it works: Once closed
Recommended crops for storage
It breaks with impact and repeated
as
latest technology and the HST bag
produce. Farmers also get better
material such as wood splinters or
requires just one multilayer liner to
market acceptance by the buyers
crop residues which could damage
be effective.
if their grains are not treated with
the liner, before storing in the HST
pesticide dust and are not infested.
bag and the inner liner should not
Benefits of using the HST bags Better
Margins:
be perforated or damaged when
Hardworking
Food Security: Farmers can store
farmers and their families do not
their grains at home without any
have to sell all the grains and pulses
worries of post-harvest damages
in a hurry at the time of harvest and
and use their harvest when they
get the minimum prices, but store
need for their family, instead of
them in the HST bags and sell them
buying from shops at a higher price
later as the market prices go up to
later. It would revive the granary
increase their margins.
concept, back at homes, that seems
No loss of weight during storage: There is no moisture gain or loss
to have extinct with the small hold farmers over the years.
acquiring it or before reuse. The bags should not be washed or perforated. There should be no addition of any pesticide dust to the grains stored in the HST bag. Store the bags in a cool, dry place and wherever possible, preferably on a pallet. Avoid exposure to direct sun. If the grains are already treated with pesticide dust before storage,
when dried grains and pulses are
Food Safety: Since no pesticides
expose them to the sunlight till the
stored in the HST bags, which
are used for storage, food prepared
pesticide dust effect is minimized
normally happens in WPP bags and
from these grains and pulses do not
and then store them into the HST
farmers lose 4 to 5 Kgs in weight per
affect the health, hence, provides
bag.
bag.
a healthy body and therefore a
Financial Security & stronger future:
healthy mind.
These additional margins would
Shelf life: The HST bag can be used
make the farmers economically
for a minimum of three seasons,
strong to pay the school fees for
which is much below the cost
their children, medical expenses of
of pesticide dust and the repeat
the family and funds to get seeds
dusting required in 3 to 4 months
& inputs for the next season. Most
for the post-harvest storage.
small holder farmers are forced to sell their produce at the time of harvest at less prices whereas they could sell the same after 3 to 4 months by storing in a HST bag thus ensuring over 67% increased revenue from sale of their stored
Rodents: Normally the rodents do not attack the HST bags as the grains scent is sealed off when bags are secured tightly. Rodents are likely to attack the bags if the grains are spilled on the floor, therefore, the room where the grains are stored, the doors, windows &
Precaution before use: The cereals
eaves must be secured well with
and pulses should be dried to the
a wire mesh. Natural repellants
recommended
are recommended for use to keep
moisture
content
for storage purpose. The harvest
rodents away.
should also be cleaned and sorted
Price: In Kenya The HST bag is
well e.g. to remove stones and other
available to the farmers at KES 250/- for 100kg and KES 150/- for
per
instructions
using HST: MAIZE, BEANS, COW
handling. As one liner does not
50kg.
provided,
oxygen
PEAS, GREEN GRAMS, SORGHUM,
work, the farmers are advised to use
Hermetic
MILLET, CHIC PEAS, and many other
two liners. This is an old extrusion
Bags are available in Tanzania to
cereals.
technology.
the farmers at TZS 4,500/-, on an
grains and pulses from infestation
Availability: In Kenya, the HST bags
The multilayer which consists of
damage that most commonly occurs
are available in more than 600 AGDs
5 or more layers co-extruded and
during post-harvest storage. The
across Kenya and Tanzania. The
blown with multiple compounds
key precaution is to ensure stored
Rockefeller Foundation is funding
and joined together to form one
grains and cereals are dried to the
the PHM program through Alliance
super strong inner liner. It gives the
recommended
for
Africa
best hermetic property in terms
(AGRA) for the Hermetic Storage
of oxygen transmission rate (OTR)
Technology (HST) supported by
and the bag strength. This is the
and
other
gases
are
prevented from entering or exiting the bag thus protects the dried
moisture
(13.5%) before storage.
34
levels
a
Green
Revolution
Storage
Technology
average, across the country
Farmers pose with HST bags
35
Instructions to use: • Place the HST Bag together with the inner liners. • Pour little quantity of grains and adjust the bag to remove any folds.
• Fill with 100 Kg / 50 kg of the grains to be stored up to 2/3rd of the bag • Remove all air pockets from the top of the liner. • Twist the remaining part of the inner liner, bend the twisted
inner liner part and close it using a smooth tie. • The outer bag is also closed in the same way as the inner liners with a smooth tie.
HOW TAHA INFORMATION SYSTEM (TIS) IS LIFTING THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY
• Store the closed bags on-farm in a cool and dry place preferably on a pallet. • The room must be secured from rodents by using mesh on the windows and ventilators. • When preparing to sell, remove the grains and pulses from the HST bag and pour into WPP bag of 90Kg or 50Kg for transporting into the market. • Fold the empty HST bag and keep safely for the use in the next season. Information is power. For a long time horticultural farmers lacked crucial information regarding the horticultural business until TAHA introduced its information system to assist in facilitating and linking farmers to markets and hence improve and encourage their efforts in investing in the horticulture industry.
Farmers line up to buy HTS bags in Kenya
« from Page 13
because of increasing evidence of
Bees make farming profitable so
used chemical group since the
the persistence of neonicotinoids
the rest of the agricultural industry
1990’s3, accounting for 40% of the
in the soil, their solubility in ground
needs to follow carefully how the
global pesticide market. In 2011
water and their effect on a wider
cuttings and flower industry is
neonicotinoids
range of non-target organisms.
reacting to these challenges. What
$2.63 billion to the bottom line
Neonicotinoids
neurotoxins,
are the biological alternatives to
of large agrochemical companies
albeit more specific to insects than
neonicotinoids and how can they
such as Syngenta and Bayer. The
mammals, but recent studies on
be applied effectively to crops to
neonicotinoid
mice reveal that the breakdown
protect them from harmful sap-
market
products of neonicotinoids have
sucking pests?
Are these bio-
the 1990’s to 2008, when this
more of an effect on mammals than
controls compatible with less toxic
additional market contributed some
originally understood.
chemicals? Start asking the right
EUR 957 million by 2008.
questions. Time is not on your side.
consequence of the government
extension
Make sure you have good advisers
bans on these chemicals, these
workers and government regulators
who can answer these questions. It
companies are spending many more
need to be well versed in the risks
is not uncommon for agrochemical
millions of dollars lobbying to have
attached to continued sales of
companies to be the main source of
the ban ‘softened’.
neonicotinoids in Tanzania if they
advice on farms - this is a potential
are to protect Tanzanian bees,
conflict of interest.
Tanzanian
are
farmers,
expanded
treatment
rapidly
from
As a
their best efforts to make a profit
consumers and Tanzanian foreign
Thiamethoxam,
exchange from horticultural exports.
imidacloprid are neoticotinoids and
pesticides.
they have been the most widely
Beast.
36
seed
over
In the end, farmers must use
Tanzanian biodiversity, Tanzanian
sons-keep-ban-neonicotinoid-pesticides
contributed
clothianidin
and
without excessive use of chemical
3
Beauty without the
http://www.tfsp.info/systemic-pesticides/
In the process of identifying challenges amongst horticultural farmers in Tanzania, TAHA realized that, farmers lack information on prices, buyers, logistics, production tips, and these were crucial setbacks for their growth economically. To address the gap, TAHA invented the TAHA Information System (TIS), a horticultural information platform that collects, analyses and disseminates information on prices, buyers, logistics as well as production tips to different users. Having been launched in 2014, TIS has data enumerators placed in 16 markets covering the potential and consumption zones of Tanzania Mainland, Zanzibar as well as Kenya. The initiative is today benefiting more than 15,000 farmers who are accessing different horticultural information via their mobile phones through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)
technology. Pamela Lyamuya a Greenhouse farmer who has benefited from the system says she has been able to solve her pricing and buying problems. “It is very easy to use since it enables me to prepare for the market before i harvest and gives me updates on prices and where to sell my crops thus preventing me from over budgeting.” Said Pamela. Through TIS, many farmers; even those located in remote areas short of electricity and internet have been able to readily avail the information provided by the system rendering it reliable. Adonaya Kilatu from Njombe has been using TIS for the past two years and is glad to have been introduced to the system earlier. It has benefited him with easy access of markets for his harvests. Before TIS, he had to go from one market to another
comparing prices, which has since been solved by the information system service. “Last year (2016) around November I sold 50 cartons of tomato in Dar es Salaam at very good rates by using TIS and made good profit in comparison to the past years where I was selling at our local markets here in Njombe simply because I could not get market information from other places around the country”. Explained Adonaya. For farmers like Adonaya and Pamela the system has been of great assistance to them. The App is currently undergoing improvements for its identified shortcomings such as responding delays, which range from just a few minutes or to as long as hours. More feature additions in the upgrade will accommodate market and logistics information, agronomic tips, financial and input dealer’s information as well as gender and nutritional tips. There will be additional contact information and not just the phone numbers as these are sometimes unreachable thus email addresses and a website could act as convenient alternatives. Digitalization of the system to accommodate dissemination of online horticulture farming publications, audio and video clips will also be of added advantage while promoting the system to reach more users of different services in the value chain through various communications channels such as print and electronic media, social media, and bulk messages to create awareness for a wider outreach of more farmers. With most of farmers depending on one market source TIS will be an alternative source for they have a wider market range to sell and price their produce.
37
my outputs and I was pleasantly
different prices. There are also an
surprised by my profit returns in
increasing number of farmers, which
my first season as it exceeded my
respectively increases demand of
Matilda
thinks
expectations.” Said Matilda.
TAHA’s agronomists thus rendering
should
give
it
smallholder farmers like her. The
difficult
to
get
agronomist
Backyard Success with Capsicum Farming
C
has
who chose to start in 2015 after
Prior to commercial farming, Matilda
become one of the most
receiving her pension benefits. With
was a primary school teacher until
common
lucrative
the help and support of her family,
her retirement in 2005. The dream
commercial
she started small with outdoor crops
to begin Greenhouse farming was
farming in Tanzania. This is mainly
and eventually invested in a green
conceived thereafter but it was not
attributed to the fact that they
house. She capitalized on
until 2015 when she received her
require
her home plot and together
pension that she was able to start.
temperature than tomatoes
with her husband made a
Living in Merit village at Ilboru near
or cucumbers and are less
plan on what they would like
Arusha town, Matilda has maximized
to achieve. More than
the use of her home plot by setting
apsicum
forms
a
growing and of
slightly
warmer
likely to get infested by
Matilda
up her Greenhouse project in the
though they still need
credits the support
backyard. Saying confidently, “I
proper
of her husband as
have enough experience in growing
being of great and
capsicum even though its only my
diseases or pests even preventive
care.
anything,
tremendous help.
second season and this is because in
Ms. Matilda Maida
The
has
my first season I got good assistance
is
been blessed with
from TAHA agronomists who gave
a
determined
55-year-old woman
38
couple
four children.
the
more
government support
to
Matilda earned 6 million from the
assistance on time when there is a
prices
first season of capsicum farming and
problem on the farm. This causes
inputs are very high and if it were
has been able to pay for university
the problem to accelerate where it
not for the help of organization like
education for her daughter. She also
could have been quickly resolved.
TAHA, people would fear to join the
confesses of a better lifestyle at
Matilda’s
her own role model.
of
different
agriculture
horticulture sector. “TAHA advised
home with her husband. Whereas
Matilda has been exemplary to the
me from the very beginning what
the home venture of commercial
community around her and has
I should plant, where I should buy
farming has been a great success,
put her primary school teacher
seeds, how to prepare the farm, how
it faces a huge marketing challenge
experience to teach and encourage
take care of the farm until the last
although TAHA has been helpful
both young farmers and elderly
process of marketing.” Said Matilda.
with market linkage and she was
ones who come to her looking
able to sell her capsicums at a
for advice regarding greenhouse
After her success in capsicum
reasonable price. “TAHA was able
farming. She is very happy with
growing, Matilda is thinking of
to find a good market for me after
her farming practice and hasn’t
building
the first harvest and I was able to
gone a day without food or money
when she gets enough funds in
sell for a very good price but for
for her daily personal errands. She
order to increase crop production
the second harvest the market has
is a role model and someone that
by producing other crops and
not been as good. Hopefully, it gets
other people learn from. She had to
enlarge her business. Matilda’s
better soon,” she says.
garner a lot of determination before
self-employment has given her
she could join commercial farming
financial freedom, and renders the
Certain challenges such as price
and its for that reason and the
support she gets from her husband,
fluctuations have been unavoidable
challenges she has overcome along
extended family and the Tanzania
with
the way that she regards herself as
Horticulture Association invaluable.
every
season
presenting
a
second
Greenhouse
me great guidance. This improved
39
Tonnes of Success from the Red Jet green pepper variety from Rijk Zwaan Rijk Zwaan’s Red Jet green pepper variety has been a successful hit for TAHA member farmers, Moza Khalifan Masoud and Verenenda Baraza.
Moza Khalifan Masoud tonnes) in the first cycle and sold the produce at a farm gate price of 70,000TZS per 100kg, which saw her earning 980,000 TZS. The second cycle is expected to produce approximately 2.8 tonnes. The harvesting will last at least 9 cycles without droppings, with an expected overall production output of approximately 20 tonnes from the 11,000 plants. So far, she has incurred 3.5 million TZS as cost of production, inclusive of drip irrigation. With the going
M
price rate, Ms. Moza will be able
oza Khalifan Masoud
community-based facilitator Mr. Ole
to earn 8,820,000 million TZS,
first
TAHA
Lobunguti overlooked the process
however; it should be noted that
Arusha
that eventually produced 12000
Green
2016
seedlings. They were transplanted
expected to rise from the month
requesting for technical assistance.
and after a month, in January 2017
of April to 150,000TZS per 100kgs,
Having decided to put her one-
and a fertilizer program scheduled
raising Ms. Moza’s total earning
acre piece of land at Olasity on the
according to the soil sampling
expectations to 13.5 million TZS.
outskirts of Arusha to farming, she
results.
visited
offices
in
September
pepper
prices
are
also
AD
sought professional assistance on how to go about it. TAHA senior
With an initial
agronomist Loto Simon advised her
investment
to do soil sampling and analysis at
about 10 million
crop nut Nairobi. From the results
for the farm, the
attained, the team decided on
first
harvesting
the production of green peppers;
took
place
the red jet variety whose seeds
March 2017, just
were
66
acquired
from
Rijkzwaan,
days
of
in
after
Afrisem. The seeds were raised in a
transplanting.
commercial nursery located in Usa
Ms.
River, on the outskirts of Arusha
h a r ve s t e d
town with which TAHA partners. The
1400kg
40
Moza (1.4 « Continue to Page 42
41
ÂŤ Continues From Page 40
Verenenda Baraza
V
enerada
Baraza
hails
variety has a 9 cycle harvesting life
from Bagamoyo and first
span and Veneranda has expressed
heard
Red
her gratitude to TAHA for linking her
Jet variety from TAHA’s
with input suppliers such Rijk Zwaan
about
the
agronomists Yusuf Mlisho and Loto
for quality high yielding seeds.
Simon. Having been advised on its positive outputs, she purchased
Ready market being one of the
247 plants from Rijk Zwaan’s shop
biggest challenges being faced
in Bagamoyo. Ms. Baraza who owns
in the horticultural value chain,
3 acres of land transplanted the Red
Veneranda is thrilled to have had
Jet on 24th February 2017, and just
market linkage assistance from
two months after transplanting, on
TAHA which has been able to link
20th of April harvested her first
her to a ready market for her first
produce. Each single plant has
harvest and has so far sold 50 bags
an expected production capacity
at a price of 60,00Tz. She is happy
range of 10 to 15 kilograms which
with the experience so far and is
combined brings her total estimated
optimistic about future prospects
production up to 2470kg (2.4
for her commercial farming venture.
tonnes) per cycle. The green pepper
42
16
43
Inapatikana Madukani
44
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