December 2017, Edition

merry December, 2017

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

Logistics In Marketing Agriculture

ARTICLES AVA I L A B L E

Yaliyomo

HALIUZWI Simulizi 04 | Kutoka Shambani

08 | Article Climate Smart Agriculture

& About 12 | Around How Avocado farming helped turn my life around

18 | Article Overcoming the fall

army worm invasion

Tips 20 | Wellness Do we need

supplements?

22 | Q&A

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Je, wajua TFA ipo karibu nchi nzima?

Funguo: Matawi yaliyopo Matawi Tarajiwa

WAUZAJI NA WASAMBAZAJI WA PEMBEJEO ZA KILIMO P.O. Box 3010, Arusha - Tanzania, Tel: +255 27 250 3041 / 250 4297 Fax: +255 27 254 8213 | Email: tfa@tfatz.com | www.tfatz.com

EFTA LTd wakishirikiana na Lonagro Tanzania/John Deere wanauletea ofa maalum kwa muda maalumu kukuwezesha kumiliki Trakta ya ndoto yako kwa gharama nafuu, BILA DHAMANA YOYOTE.

Habari njema kwa wakulima! Lonagro-John Deere ikishirikiana na EFTA na John Deere Financial inawaletea ofa maalum ya trekta mpya za John Deere 42Hp pamoja na majembe ya sahani 3 inchi 22. Yote haya kwa bei ya Shilingi milioni 32 tu! Yani kwa punguzo la Shilingi milioni 3.2!. Usikose! Kwani vifaa havipo vingi. Kwa maelezo zaidi, piga 078 909 0999 au tembelea tawi la EFTA au LonAgro leo.

Kutoka kwa Mhariri

Mpendwa

MSOMAJI

Mpendwa mkulima na msomaji wetu, tunapokutana tena kwenye toleo hili katika majira haya ya mwaka, ni matumaini yetu kuwa umeendelea kujifunza na kunufaika na maboresho ambayo tumekuwa tukiyafanya kwa kuzingatia baadhi ya maoni yenu.

Katika toleo hili, tunazidi kukuletea makala motomoto zenye lengo la kukuhabarisha, kuelimisha na kukuongezea ufahamu ili kukuwezesha wewe kuimarisha kilimo chako chako cha mazao na ufugaji. Sasa unayo fursa ya kupata majibu ya mambo ambayo yamkini yanakusumbua katika msimu huu wa matayarisho ya shamba, upandaji na utunzaji wa mimea yako. Mtaalamu wetu anajibu maswali kuhusu Rutuba ya Udongo na Utunzaji wa Mimea.

Kwenye makala za simulizi za mafanikio, kisa cha mkulima kijana kabisa Hadija Jabir pamoja na Tenende Mwakagile zitakuwezesha kuona kwamba kilimo biashara ndio njia bora ya kukukwamua kiuchumi kwa kipindi kifupi.

Mwisho, usisite kuwasiliana nasi iwapo una jambo linalohitaji usaidizi wa kitaalamu ama uwapo na simulizi ya kuwajenga wengine tutafurahi kuiweka hapa ili kwa pamoja tufikie lengo la kuelimishana na kuimarika.

Wasalaam, Matthew Kamba .................................................

Dear

READER Dear esteemed reader and farmer, as we meet again through this platform at this time of the year, it is our expectation that the improvements we have been carrying out have enabled you to more empower which is a result of the opinions we have been getting from you.

In this edition, we bring you more educative and knowledge empowering articles so as to enable you improve in your farming of crops and animal husbandry. Now there is a platform for you to get answers on different topics of interest to you during this season of land preparation, planting and early crop management.

In the success stories section, we present to you the story of a young lady who chose to venture in agricultural business with success and a gentleman who improved on his profits in one season after getting advices from experts in the field.

Finally, we would love to hear from you. Write to topics or us for stories of success that you want published that you would want our agronomist to tackle. This we can together continue to grow in our knowledge.

Till next time, wishing you tremendous success.

Sincerely Matthew Kamba .................................................

PUBLISHER & PRINTER Kiliative Solutions (EA) Ltd P.O. Box 16027 Arusha, Tanzania Meru View Business Park, Kaloleni near New NSSF Building, Tel: +255 784 712 303 +255 783 857 777 E-mail: marketing@kiliativegroup.com Web: www.kiliativegroup.com

Kiliads Solutions (EA) Ltd - KENYA Softa Plant, Off Enterprise rd next to General Motors, P.O. Box 16745 - 00100 Nairobi.

Mob: +254 780 712 303 Kiliative Solutions (EA) Ltd - RWANDA North Airport Rd, Mathias House - Remera P.O. Box 1863, Kigali - Rwanda Tel: +250 781 467 752

DISCOVER MORE... Check out our issues online at www.kiliativegroup.com

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KUTOKA SHAMBANI:

SIMULIZI ZA MAFANIKIO

Mpenzi msomaji, fuatana nasi katika sehemu hii inayokuletea habari kutoka kwa wakulima waliopata mafanikio katika kilimo cha biashara. Mgeni wetu leo ni Hadija binti Jabir. Mwanadada mwenye umri wa miaka 27.

Hadija ni mhitimu wa shahada ya biashara kutoka chuo kikuu cha mtakatifu Augustino – Mwanza.

LiMA: Kwa wakulima wengi, soko ni tatizo. Soko lenu liko wapi?

Hadija Jabir: Kwa kutumia gari letu lenye jokofu la kuhifadhia mazao huwa tunasafirisha mazao yetu kwenda Dar es salaam kila wiki kutokea kijijini kiwele, mkoani Iringa lilipo shamba letu.

Hadija Jabir: Mimi ni mwanzilishi mwenza na Mkurugenzi mtendaji wa kampuni inayoitwa GBRI Farm Business Solutions. Kampuni yetu inajihusisha na kilimo cha biashara kwa kulima matunda na mboga mboga. Baadhi ya mazao tunayolima ni; nyanya, matango, pilipili hoho za aina tofauti, maharage machanga, miongoni mwa nyingine nyingi. Kwa upande wa matunda tunalima mapapai na mapesheni (passion fruits).

LiMA: Kuna changamoto zozote mnazokabiliana nazo?

Hadija Jabir: Changamoto zipo, kubwa kati ya yote ni umeme. Mahali shamba letu lilipo hakuna umeme. Hivyo tunalazimika kuendesha pampu za kuvuta maji kutoka mtoni kwa kutumia mashine za dizeli. Hili linatugharimu sana. Pili ni mtaji; taasisi za kifedha huwa haziwezeshi biashara zinazoanza kama ilivyo hii yetu. Hili linatubana kweli haswa katika kipindi hiki ambapo tunafikiria kupanuka zaidi.

LiMA: Mnapatikana wapi Tanzania: Hadija Jabir: Shamba letu liko katika kijiji cha kiwele, kilomita 20 kutoka mjini Iringa. Nilihitimu masomo yangu mwaka 2012. Nilihamia Iringa kutokea mwanza mwezi februari 2016. Tulinunua shamba eneo la kiwele na kuanza kilimo mwezi wa nane mwaka 2016. Tulichagua Iringa kwa kuwa tuliona kuwa ardhi ina rutuba nzuri, na hali ya hewa ni mwafaka kwa aina ya mazao tunayokusudia kulima.

LiMA: Mnaendeshaje kilimo chenu?

Hadija Jabir: Tunaendesha kilimo chetu kwa namna mbili; kilimo kwenye mashamba ya wazi (open cast farming) na pia kilimo cha kwenye vitalu vya mabanda (green houses).

LiMA: kwanini kilimo biashara? Nini hasa kilikusukuma kwenye kilimo.

Hadija Jabir: tulipata wazo la kilimo biashara miaka mitatu iliyopita baada ya kuona kuwa kuna fursa kubwa iliyopo kwenye hasa baada ya kuzingatia idadi ya Watanzania (inayofikia watu milioni 50 ) kwa sasa. Idadi hii inazidi kukua kwa kasi, na watu wote hawa wanahitaji kula kila iitwapo leo.

Hiki ndio kichocheo kikubwa kilichonisukuma kuanzisha GBRI Farm ili kuhakikisha watu wanapata lishe iliyo bora.

LiMA: Kwa wengi, mtaji huwa ni kikwazo kikubwa wanapokuwa na nia ya kuanzisha biashara, umelikabili vipi hili?

Hadija Jabir: Naamini katika falsafa kwamba mtu anao uwezo wa kuanzia pale alipo na kile alichonacho ili kutekeleza azma aliyonayo.

Hadi kufikia tulipo kwa sasa, mradi huu tumeuanzisha na kuuendesha kwa fedha zetu wenyewe tulizokuwa tumejiwekea pasipo kuwa na mkopo wowote. Tuliamua kuanza kwa kwa kutumia vifaa vyenye bei nafuu, hata ikabidi kutumia nguzo za miti zilizowekwa dawa badala ya chuma.

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LiMA: Unawashauri nini vijana?

Hadija Jabir: Ninawahimiza vijana wengi kujihusisha na kilimo kwa kuwa kuna fedha nyingi kwenye kilimo biashara.

Ikumbukwe kuwa serikali ya sasa imeweka msisitizo mkubwa kwenye kukuza viwanda, jambo linatoa fursa kubwa kwa kuwa kuwa viwanda hivyo vitahitaji mali ghafi kwa ajili ya uzalishaji. Natoa wito kwa vijana, hasa wa kike kuchangamkia fursa hii na kuwekeza kwenye kilimo cha biashara.

Mara nyingi watu hukwama pale wanapojiona kuwa hawana uzoefu au elimu inayohusiana na kilimo, hilo halipaswi kuwa kikwazo hata kidogo. Kwa mfano mimi na mwanzilishi mwenzangu tuna elimu tofauti na mwelekeo wa kilimo.

Mimi nina shahada ya usimamizi wa biashara kutoka chuo kikuu cha mtakatifu Augustino – Mwanza ambako nilihitimu mwaka 2012. Mwenzangu alihitimu shahada ya sayansi ya mazingira. Hivyo, tulipoamua kujihusisha na kilimo cha biashara, tulianza kwa kufanya utafiti wa kina mtandaoni kwa kutumia google na kutazama video nyingi za kwenyee youtube, tukahudhuria warsha nyingi za kilimo, tukatembelea wakulima wengi hasa wa mazao tuliyokusudia kulima na kutafuta ushauri wa kitaalamu.

Hivyo ndivyo tulivyoweza kujifunza mengi ya kuweza kutufikisha hapa tulipo leo.

LiMA: Mwelekeo wa GBRI Farm miaka 5 ijayo….

Hadija Jabir: Kwa hakika tunayo mipango mingi ila la awali kabisa ni kuongeza uzalishaji. Kwa sasa uwezo wetu ni kuzalisha tani 20 kwa mwezi. Miaka 5 ijayo, lengo letu ni kufikia uzalishaji wa kiasi cha tani 500 kwa mwezi.

Pili, kuongeza ajira. Kwa sasa GBRI Farm imeajiri watu 15 kwa ajira ya moja kwa moja. Lengo letu ni kufikia idadi ya watenda kazi 100 katika kipindi cha miaka mitano ijayo.

Iwapo wewe ni mkulima au mfugaji na ungependa kuilezea jamii mafanikio au changamoto yako, usisite kuwasiliana nasi:+255 787 245 621 ama tuandikie baruapepe: limamagazine@kiliativegroup.com

Climate Smart Agriculture: Water conservation in Agricultural Practices

Availability of water is the major concern for the future of agricultural production. Presently, climate change creates extreme climatic conditions including excessive rains and droughts that do not support agriculture. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns associated with climate change immensely affect agricultural production worldwide. Farmers for optimum production must therefore embrace proper farming methods that conserve available water. As populations grow, more efficient use of water in growing food will be of key importance.

Water conservation technologies Drip irrigation

Smart water management is not just about how water is delivered but also when, how often, and how much.

To avoid under- or overwatering their crops, farmers carefully monitor the weather forecast, as well as soil and plant moisture, and adapt their irrigation schedule to the current conditions. Timers and automated controllers set to irrigate the farms at specific times and days are also helpful towards efficient application of water.

Water storage Ponds are one of the most effective methods of water storage. An excavated water holding reservoir is dug to collect water during heavy rains. It is built lower than the remaining field where some terracing work is also done, so that gravity could do the collecting. The pond is then lined using a geo-membrane material, which could either be 0.5mm or 1mm thick. The ponds hold water that can be used for irrigation when the rains subside.

Besides ponds, there are many kinds of tanks that can used to hold water. Examples of these include: Plastic tanks. Steel rimmed tanks, plastered concrete tanks, and cisterns, which are, covered storage tanks either above or below ground.

Drip irrigation system conveys water (and fertilizer) either on the soil surface or directly to the roots of crops through systems of plastic tubing with small holes and other restrictive outlets called emitters. By distributing these inputs slowly and regularly, drip irrigation conserves 50% to 70% more water than traditional methods while increasing crop production by 20% to 90%.

In addition, water and fertilizer are also more easily absorbed by the soil and plants, reducing the risks of erosion and nutrient depletion.

Generally operated by gravity, drip irrigation system saves both the time and labor that would otherwise be needed to water crops, leading to larger harvest yields.

The home gardener can easily set up small systems on timers, too.

Irrigation scheduling

In conclusion, conservation of water will not only improve agricultural production but will also guarantee high returns to the farmer especially when appropriate technology is used. The technology must be innovated and tailored to the crop and specific conditions. This necessitates that a farmer gets proper technical advice on the most suitable technology for his/her needs.

For further technical assistance contact: Calcol Engineering Services Ltd. Contact person is Duncan @ +254 726 491 644/+254 753 168198.

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Around & About : Farmers Success Stories

How Avocado Farming helped turn my life around At Joshoni residence in Njombe Tanzania lives Mr. Tenende Mwakagile - a 48 year old married man with five children whose farming journey started way back in the year 2000. At that time he was mainly growing potatoes and maize.5 years later, he decided to engage himself in avocado farming by planting avocado trees in his 18 acre farm where he also mixed with few apple trees. He had to wait for 7 years (until 2012) to get his first harvest of avocados. However, due to the fact that he was using local farming methods he was not able to get good harvests.

Njombe is among the new regions (established in 2012) located in southern Tanzania. The region is popularly known for its cold weather and productive soils. The fertile soils of Njombe enable the residents in the area to practice agricultural activities where avocados and apples are among the top commercial crops.

Mwakagile came into contact with TAHA just after his first harvests. Despite the meager harvests, he had not given up, rather wanted to do it again. “I came to know TAHA when they started the Nundu Cold Room Project in Njombe. I got interested in what they were doing and decided to join TAHA. Since then, they have been supporting me very much.” Said Mr. Mwakagile. He went on to add that “TAHA have been providing me with technical support, something which I had never had access to before. I am very happy with the services I am receiving from TAHA agronomists.”

“It is very important to be in very close contact with agronomists, especially when you are a beginner in farming.

Mwakagile says, “After getting into a working relationship with TAHA, my profits doubled and I expect even more profits in the coming years because my farm is on gradual improvement. “I earned five million in my first season, this was before meeting TAHA. Up on joining TAHA and receiving training on good agricultural practices, I earned ten million in the same farm in the year 2016. This was quite a significant success because my profits doubled in one season. The money earned in profits was used for paying house bills, my children’s university fees and such other expenditures.”

On the other hand, TAHA also promotes horticultural production among women. One such woman is Rachel Towo. We do so by showing them other opportunities in horticulture like growing seedlings as a business. We trained Rachel on nursery preparation and proper ways of raising seedlings. Mwakagile and other avocado growers in Njombe buy from her, improved avocado seedlings which gives them more productivity and profitability. In her own words, Rachel has this to say “while others are producing avocado, I decided to help them by growing seedlings which take short time to mature for sale. I encourage the youths to engage in this business.”

Rachel Towo working on her avocado nursery in Njombe after receiving technical support from TAHA

TAHA Agronomist Damas Kisalala (left) providing practical training on avocado farming to Tenende Mwakagile in Njombe, Southern Highlands, Tanzania

This helps you in getting to easily discover the problems that may affect the growth of your plants and lead you into solving them in time. As for me, being in close communication with TAHA agronomists helps me such that whenever I see something I do not know, I consult them and for sure they always respond in time.’’ Said Mr. Mwakagile.

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In the first season, Rachel produced 1,000 seedlings which she sold at Tsh 3,000 per seedling. This earned her a total of three million shillings. Rachel spent her profits in paying school fees and preparation for second season.

Mwakagile is very thankful to TAHA for her quality and exemplary services to the farmers as well as her efforts in helping the farmers make improvements in their farming practices in various ways, something which helps solve their immediate problems hence help them increase their profits”.

Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) helps farmers realize their potential in horticultural farming hence increase their profitability and improve on their family’s nutrition. This they implement in partnership with USAID through their ‘Feed the Future Initiative’ which aims at reducing poverty and hunger.

Overcoming The Fall Army Worm Invasion Farmers and Researchers scramble for solutions ahead of maize season.

Story by Joachim Laizer, Clara Moita, and Jaime Little Mr. Joseph manages Tumaini Farm - a 150 acre commercial maize and vegetable farm in Madira, just outside of Arusha in northern Tanzania.

Having been practising farming for 35 years, Joachim Joseph thought he knew what was eating his maize.

Assuming in his mind that the pest was maize stalk borers, he sprayed his crop with the usual pesticides. However, the caterpillars didn’t die. Despite a heavy downpour that followed some days after the spraying, still the caterpillars didn’t die. It was a state of confusion until when an agricultural extension officer visited the farm and told him that the worm was not the normal maize stalk borer, but the fall armyworm. That is when it downed on him that there was an un usual invasion which was not a joke.

Fall armyworm is spreading rapidly with maize being its favourite food. The pest has devastated maize and other crops in at least 26 African countries over the past two years. Now Tanzania’s agriculture ministry is running an awareness campaign with the purpose of helping farmers identify and manage the new pest, ahead of the coming maize season. Mr. Joseph says when there is no maize that means shortage of food which means there will be a huge problem.

When he realized that what he was dealing with was the fall armyworm, Mr. Joseph sprayed his fields with a pesticide called Karate – twice, a week apart. This helped catch the culprit flat footed and in time resulting into a good harvest.

A few months later, he planted maize on two – three acre plots during the off-season as a means of crop rotation plan. That maize is ripening now and as he steps between rows to inspect whitened leaves with the plants having heightened over his head. One of the signs of fall armyworm is windowing - when parts of leaves become semi-transparent because the caterpillars have largely eaten them. The greatest worry is that with maize being a staple crop in Tanzania and Kenya where it is used as a popular meal known as ugali, experts worry that there won’t be enough to feed everyone if the fall armyworm goes unchecked.

We spoke to Juma Mwinyi Mkuu who is the Northern Zone coordinator with Plant Health Services - a department in Tanzania’s agriculture ministry.

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He says that since the fall armyworm was officially reported in Tanzania in March 2017, it has spread to 16 of the country’s 30 regions resulting into huge losses for the farmers whereby some of the farmers lost more than half of their crops to the fall armyworm.

Mr. Mwinyi Mkuu explains that being a new pest in town, most people are not aware what the fall armyworm is; and this is not only the farmers but even the extension officers at the district level. Some farmers have confused the fall armyworm with african armyworm or American bollworm, with some like Mr. Joseph mistaking it for a maize stalk borer.

Unlike other pests, the fall armyworms have four evenly-spaced spots that form a square on the second-last segment of their body. They also have an inverted Y-shaped mark on their heads.

Mr. Mwinyi Mkuu says there are three ways to fight the fall armyworm: the traditional/ manual practices such as collecting and crushing the worms and their eggs (often found under maize leaves); biological methods such as neem tree-based pesticides or spreading a virus that will kill the caterpillars; and thirdly there is chemical method such as commercial pesticides.

He brings attention to the farmers by saying that the key to managing the fall armyworm is to check regularly and intervene early. He further explains that they invite farmers to do what they have termed as ‘scouting’ one week after germination, whereby they advice the farmers to randomly move between the rows of plants to identify damage symptoms first. He also recommends early planting, regular weeding to remove potential host plants as well as applying proper spacing and fertilizers. It is important to note that healthy plants are less likely to succumb to the pest than weakened ones.

To be continued in the next (January) edition.

Be sure to get your copy then……

WELLNESS TIPS

DO WE NEED SUPPLEMENTS? by: Jennifer Ayoti - Wellness Coach, Nutritionist Supplements have become the talk these days. There is just too much information out there, and yes it is also confusing. On one hand, we're told that they can save our lives, and on the other we're told that we don’t really need them as they are a waste of money. What's the truth?

When going for the test request for 25- hydroxyl vitamin D test- it is able to measure if you’re getting too little or too much Vitamin D. It may be a good idea to have your blood tested for vitamin D levels every once in a while. Most of the experts recommend that you aim for a blood level between 30 and 50

Many people think a healthy diet should supply all the nutrients you need for optimal health. And that is basically true. Here is a known and undisputed fact; If the food we ate consisted of greens, game, fish, and lived where the air, water, and soil were pure and free of pollution, and if we consistently exercised our bodies, direct sunlight every day, and slept for 7-9 hours every day and managed stress effectively, then, we could probably skip taking nutritional supplements.

This is not the case for most of us; in fact, it's not really the case for any of us. Our topsoil is depleted and has lost much of its mineral content. Our food is often grown with a lot of chemicals, many of us today have less exposure to sun or dirt than our ancestors could have imagined. We leave for work in the morning and return late; our weekends are full of activities, we rarely have time for sun exposureVitamin D

There are two forms of vitamin K: 1. K1 is found in plants, especially green, leafy vegetables.

2. K2 is lesser-known and harder to obtain in our modern diets.

It’s found in dairy products, in egg yolks, and in some fermented foods.

Vitamin K2 is important because it is associated with reduced bone loss, reduced risk of hip and bone fractures, and reduced rate of osteoporosis.K2 is most effective when combined with vitamin D to promote strong bones and a healthy heart.

Our bodies can convert K1 to K2 although our bodies produce less K2 as we age. Also, we are not certain how much of K2 is being converted by our bodies.

K2 supplements are widely recommended, and they may be especially beneficial for people who don’t consume dairy products or fermented foods on a regular basis.

Plant-based sources of K2 include sauerkraut, kombucha (fermented teas), kimchi, etc.

Because there’s widespread variance in how efficiently humans convert K1 to K2, many experts are recommending aiming for approximately 100 mcg of K2 daily for adults.

Another fact is that age, drugs, digestive problems, excessive coffee, alcohol and stress can interfere with the body’s ability to produce, absorb, or utilize crucial nutrients.

The most important step to take today is to get blood tests done. Do them every year and to also learn to listen to your body. Whenever you feel tired, fatigue or unwell, be sure to have your levels checked immediately. Having said that, there are 4 critical nutrients that need to be supplemented especially if you are a vegetarian or vegan.

1. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 prevents nerve damage, protects the heart, and supports your overall energy level and immune system. If you remain deficient in B12 for many years, you could develop anemia and neurological issues. Be sure to consult an expert on how to supplement and how much to supplement. Vitamin B12 is found in animal-based foods such as eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, fish and poultry.

2. Vitamin D Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because the only way to get it naturally is by exposing your body to sunshine. Unfortunately, while our ancestors lived outdoors and didn’t wear much clothing, in the modern world, this has changed.

Today, most people work indoors and wear clothes much of the time.

This fat-soluble vitamin is essential for bone strength, immune function, brain health, helps in the absorptions of calcium and other minerals including phosphorous and mood. Vitamin D also Regulates insulin production and protects against type 2 diabetes. People who are obese are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D.

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4. Zinc Zinc is an important trace mineral everyone needs to stay healthy.

It is mineral necessary for your body’s immune system to work properly. It also plays a key role in cell growth, wound healing, and breaking down of carbohydrates. It’s also been found effective in helping in fighting common cold.

Some of the food sources of Zinc include; lamb, beef, poultry, pork, oysters and plant based sources include; legumes, beans, mushrooms, nuts and seeds, oats, and nutritional yeast. However, the zinc in plant foods is sometimes bound to phytates, making it more difficult for the body to absorb this nutrient.

Soaking and sprouting can help reduce the phytates, but even then, many plant-based eaters struggle to get the optimal amount.

And keep in mind that zinc absorption typically decreases as you age. Supplementing with zinc may be the best option for plant-based eaters — and often for older adults in general. For adults, 11-13 mg per day is generally the recommended dose of zinc supplement In conclusion, a diet rich in plant foods will definitely give you most of the nutrients required to function. However, it is highly encouraged to take yearly test so as to determine what nutrients are lacking so as to supplement in good time. This ensures you optimize your chances of enjoying a vibrant and happy life.

Q&A MASWALI NA MAJIBU

Karibu katika sehemu yetu ya kukujengea ufahamu kwa njia ya maswali na majibu. Kwenye toleo hili, Mada yetu ni “Rutuba Ya Udongo” Mtalaamu wetu anajibu maswali kwa ufanisi, elimika…..

Swali 1: Tuambie kuhusu muundo wa udongo Jibu: Ni hali gani inayosababisha usitawisho wa muundo wa udongo.

Muundo wa udongo inamaanisha jinsi udongo ulivyojigawanya katika aina na kuitwa usongo wa mchanga. Aidha unaweza kusema muundo wa udongo ni jinsi ambavyo udongo wa mchanga umejipanga na kila mchanga kuwa na tabia yake.

Swali 2: Je, rutuba ya udongo inaathiri vipi uzalishaji kwa mkulima?

Jibu: Rutuba ya udongo ni uwezo wa udongo kukuza mimiea.Kuna sababu nyingi zinazodhihirisha mavuno, ila rutuba ya udongo ni hoja ya pili kuu baada ya maji.Udongo humiliki virutubisho muhimu vya mimea. Virutubisho hivi hupatikana kwenye udongo - hiyo ndio huitwa rutuba ya udongo ambayo huwa tofauti kulingana na mimea. Jedwali lifuatalo linaonyesha sababu nyinginezo muhimu kwa ukuzaji wa mazao.

Swali 3: Je, mtu anawezaje kutathmini/kudhihirisha kiasi cha rutuba ya udongo kwenye shamba lake?

Jibu: Viwango vya rutuba kwenye udongo hutambulika kwa njia ya kugawa na kupima udongo.

Hili hufanyika kwa kuchukua kiwango cha udongo kutoka shambani na kupima kwenye maabara ili kujua viwango vya virutubisho. Ni muhimu kufahamu kwamba kila mmea huhitaji kiwango tofauti cha virutubisho kwenye mchanga, hivyo basi upimaji huu hutegemea na mmea husika.Pia kuna uwezekano kuwa rutuba ya udongo kwa mmea mmoja unaweza usiwe sahihi kwa mmea mwingine.

Swali 4: Je, kuna uhusiano kati ya rutuba ya udongo na uwezo wa udongo kuzuia maji? Kama upo, tafadhali fafanua.

Jibu: Uwezo wa udongo kunyonya maji hutegemea na kama udongo una rutuba au la. Udongo wenye rutuba huwa na uwezo wa kunyonya maji vizuri kwa sababu una viasilia bora kwenye mchanga ambavyo ndivyo hupatia udongo uwezo wa kukuza mavuno ya mimea.

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Swali 5: Je, mtu anawezaje kuboresha rutuba ya udongo kwenye shamba lake?

Jibu: Rutuba kwa udongo huongezeka kwa kuweka mbolea, mfumo wa kilimo kinachozingatia mzungusho wa mimea ili kuboresha matumizi ya virutubisho, kuzuia mmomonyoko wa udongo na mifumo mingine ya kilimo kama kudhibiti magugu.

Swali 6: PH kwenye udongo ni nini?

Jibu: PH ni viwango vya asidi na alkali kwenye udongo. PH hupimwa kwa kitanga cha mizani kati ya 1-14, na mimea mingi hufanya vizuri kwenye PH 6. Hivyo basi ni muhimu kuhakikisha kwamba viwango vya asidi na alkali sio vya juu sana shambani mwako.

Swali 7: Je , PH kwenye udongo huathiri uzalishaji kwa njia yoyote?

Jibu: PH kwenye udongo husababisha maafa kwenye mimea hivyo basi ni vyema kudumisha viwango sahihi.

Swali 8: Je, mkulima anawezaje kubadilisha PH kwenye udongo wa shamba lake?

Jibu: Uongezwaji chumvi chumvi hupendekezwa kwa udongo ulio na asidi ili kurekebisha hali hiyo. Virutubisho asili pia ni vizuri kurekebisha asidi kwenye udongo.

Swali 9: Je, mkulima anawezaje kutathmini/kutambua kiwango cha PH kwenye udongo wa shamba lake?

Jibu: PH kwa udongo hudhihirishwa kwa kupima udongo kutoka shambani kwa njia ya sampuli. Ni muhimu kufanya hivi katika vipindi tofauti ili uweze kujua ni hatua gani utachukua.

Swali 10: Nini inachangia aina ya utumiaji wa mbolea kwenye mashamba yao? Lini na kwanini itumike?

Jibu: Hili ni swali muhimu sana, mbolea hutengenezwa ili kuongeza virutubisho maalumu vinavyokosekana kwenye udongo ambao huhitajika katika ukuzaji wa aina ya mmea Fulani. Aina ya mbolea itategemea na; aina ya mmea, hali ya udongo, kiwango au kipindi cha mmea ulipofikia kwa mfano, upandaji wa mbolea ni tofauti na kumwagilia mbolea ikishaota, kwani mbolea zingine huchangwanya kwenye udongo wakati wa kupanda ilhali nyingine hupuliziwa mimea ikishakua.

Julius Nyabicha ni Mwana Agronomia aliyebobea mwenye shahada ya Uzamivu ya Usimamizi wa Kilimo biashara. Kwa sasa ni meneja masoko A to Z Textile Mills - Arusha, kitengo cha bidhaa za Kilimo. Amefanya kazi na wakulima wadogo wadogo eneo la Afrika Mashariki kwa zaidi ya miaka 15, akijikita zaidi kwenye suala la rutuba ya udongo na uzuiaji uharibifu wa mazao baada ya mavuno.

Anapatikana kwa simu na +255788091744 au baruapepe; nyabicha2001@yahoo.com ama nyabicha@azpfl.com

In our Knowledge Empowerment Section this month , ( Q& A) - Our expert Julius M. Nyabicha answers questions on Crop Protection

Q&A MASWALI NA MAJIBU

Q: Crop Protection – What does this refer to?

A: Crop protection simply means the management of crops from planting to harvest in order to optimize on production.

Issues to be taken care of include diseases, weeds, pests and harsh weather conditions. Just like human beings or children, a lot of care must be taken particularly when crops are young in order to help them establish.

Q: How important is it to a farmer?

A: Crop protection is the most important practice that a farmer must undertake because it directly affects the final harvest. Without crop protection, the farmer is likely to lose up to 100% of his crop which will render his efforts void. The quality of the crop is also bound to go down without good crop protection measures in place and so in a nutshell, crop protection ensures both quality and quantity of the crop is maximized.

Q: From which point should a farmer apply crop protection?

A: Farmers MUST apply crop protection throughout the entire production chain from land preparation to harvesting and even post-harvest management. Some measures must be taken as a preventive measure while others are taken when signs of crop damage emerge. For instance, some farmers can plant pest resistant varieties which is preventive or spray when pests start to emerge which is curative.

Q: In what ways (how many ways) can a farmer do crop protection?

A: The best way to protect crops is to keep away pests from the field and the best way is to make a decision on what to grow. Pest resistant varieties come first in this regard but a combination of methods usually work better. The combination of different methods is known as integrated pest management (IPM) which is the most commonly practiced. In summary, the following are the most commonly used methods of crop protection; i. Growing of pest/disease resistant varieties ii. Spraying either before or after signs emerge iii. Creating conducive environment for vigorous crop growth before pests attack, healthy crops usually don’t get affected by some diseases. iv. Good agronomical practices such as mulching will help suppress weeds and preserve soil moisture. v. The use of protected farming methods such as the Nethouse and greenhouses which are more common in Tanzania. vi. The use of hermetic technology help to keep grains safe after harvest and are free from chemicals. A good example are the AgroZ Bags manufactured by A to Z Textile Mills in Arusha, Tanzania.

Q: Does it vary with climatic conditions? Or it is general across all weather and climatic conditions?

A: The choice of a crop protection method depends on weather conditions and many other factors and cannot therefore be applied across all ecological zones. For instance, while greenhouses are common in cold areas, Net houses are best suited for warm and humid regions such as Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Morogoro in Tanzania.

A healthy capsicum crop free from pests in an AgroZ Net screen house in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Q: What is the role/ significance of crop protection in farming?

A: As mentioned earlier crop protection has 2 main roles, i. Optimize on quantity ii. Quality optimization in order to get good prices as well as higher nutritive value.

Q: Are there any advantages or disadvantages for crop protection or lack thereof?

A: While advantages of crop protection have been mentioned, disadvantages include the misuse of pesticides which result in climate change and human diseases. Crop protection costs money and adds to the crop production expenses ultimately reducing the profit margins.

Q: What are the categories/ steps involved in crop protection?

A: The following steps are vital in crop protection; • Make a wise decision on what to grow; assess the crops that seldom get attacked and make a decision depending on gross margins. Don’t simply grow crops that you think will fetch you more money if they are suited to your location.

• Be vigilant as crops grow to make sure that any emergence of disease or pest is dealt with at the earliest possible instance before they spread.

• Consult agricultural researchers and extension workers should you face a problem of disease and pests.

• First try natural methods before you resort to chemical methods • Use the correct pesticide to kill pests and keep monitoring.

Q: Kindly advice on the best practices in relation to crop protection.

A: Good practices must ensure that the loss is minimized and quality enhanced, are cost-effective, environmental friendly and do not lead to pest resistance. Always try cultural and biological methods before resorting to chemicals.

Just like the way we take care of ourselves, crops too need to be taken care of in order to benefit us. Crop protection must be practiced within the professional ethics and farmers are required to consult the experts before applying any crop protection method.

Julius Nyabicha is an agronomist by training with Master’s degree in Agribusiness management and currently the marketing manager at A to Z Textile Mills – Arusha, in charge of agricultural products.

Julius has worked with smallholder farmers in East Africa for more than 15 years with special interest in soil fertility and post-harvest loss prevention.

December, 2017

23.

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