0004 FEB - APRIL 2017
ISSN 00005613
FREE COPY
OASIS YOUNG PLANT’S SUCCULENT BLOOMS
SOLAR
MORE THAN LIGHT TO FARMERS
BEAUTY WITHOUT THE BEAST BIO INTENSIVE CROP PROTECTION
MATILDA’S
BACKYARD SUCCESS 1
Logistics at heart
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
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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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info@tahafresh.co.tz
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www.tahafresh.co.tz
www.tahafresh.co.tz
OUR PARTNERS
3
4 Advert Pantera 40 EC Tanzania.indd 1
13/05/2016 13:48:02
M ES S A G E F R O M
I
TAHA CEO & CHAIRPERSON TFHL
t is with great pleasure that I present the fourth issue of the Horticulture in Tanzania magazine, the first in the calendar year
2017.
Great
strides
have
been
registered since the last issue, and contained herein is a snapshot of the achievements, transforming stories, and lots of information to make your horti-farming an experience to behold. TAHA is spreading its wings wider, reaching out to more farmers, and drawing more youth and women into horticulture. We launched and operationalized a project funded by SIDA – Support to TAHA Strategy, which will have its activities in Dodoma, Tanga, Manyara and Mwanza.
exports, improve the livelihoods of
amendment
of
the
Fertilizer
people in Kilimanjaro and beyond, and
Regulations 2017, which was signed
An assessment of the contribution of
contribute greatly to the government
on 10th February 2017 and published
horticulture to Tanzania economy and
coffers through taxes. Even greater
through the Government Notice No.
poverty reduction was conducted,
news, TAHAFresh Handling Ltd, TAHA’s
50 of 17th February 2017. There is
courtesy
TAHA,
logistics company, has been registered
a reduction in the trial fee from USD
the consultants and other partners
with the World Cargo Alliance! This
30,000 to USD 10,000; and a single
contributed
significantly
to
the
has set them in the path of worldwide
trial from the initial three. Other
assessment,
which
draw
a
logistics management, and is now
localized achievements include the
bead on the huge contribution that
better placed to take on your logistics
resolution of double charges (cess and
horticulture has had on individual
to, and from wherever you desire.
service levy) on farmers in Hai district.
We have continued to make every
We call upon the government to
of
Best-Dialogue.
will
farmer lives, horticulture businesses, and the nation at large.
effort to assure the industry of a
continue extending a facilitating hand,
TAHA’s commercial orientation has
business enabling environment. It
and continue being open minded and
evolved since the last issue, firming
would be ungrateful of me not to
accommodating of the issues that
TAHA’s
to
recognize the immense contribution
impede the smooth growth of the
provide a sure comprehensive service
of partners, including our donors,
horticulture
to the industry. There are positive
respective government ministries and
holds vast prospects for the Tanzanian
and encouraging developments in
departments, and industry members.
population, and the nation. Concerted
the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes
The healthy relationship among the
efforts are needed to attain the full
(OFSP) project. Commercialization of
players have resulted in positive
prospects of the industry, and I look
the project is at advanced stages, in
achievements in putting in place an
forward to a healthier, sustained
Kifaru, Mwanga District. We are very
enabling environment for horticulture
relationship in the industry, with the
optimistic that we can contribute
businesses
donors and the government.
to the nutrition status of children
Some notable achievements in the
and adults in Tanzania, and through
three months include the successful
foundation
and
base
survival
and
growth.
industry.
Horticulture
5
EDITORIAL TEAM MAGAZINE EXECUTIVES Jacqueline Mkindi Anthony P. Chamanga Amani Temu
F ro m t h e E d i t o r
MANAGING EDITOR
set out with the same aspirations,
Sandra Kabongoyi
desires and a common target - to attain success through farming.
CONTRIBUTORS
Whereas,
our
Sandra Kabongoyi
Catherine
and
David Minja
cover Rene’s
story
on
cuttings
at Oasis Young Plants in Moshi
Louise Labuschagne
has a contrasting backdrop in
Simon Mlay
comparison to the other successes
Peter Kossakowski
of Moza and Veneranda from the
Andreas Gramzow Philipo Joseph
Red Jet variety of green peppers
Bhubhinder Singh
by Rijk Zwaan, Matilda’s backyard
Zephania Ubwani
capsicums, Paputa’s vegetable and maize integration and Patience
SALES & MARKETING Sandra Kabongoyi
Minga billionaire dreams, all the
O
ur absolute pride at
DISTRIBUTION
TAHA is our ability to
that captures a uniform end goal.
drive the horticulture
These are the stories that motivate
industry agenda for
us at TAHA to do our ultimate
farmers in and around Tanzania.
best in advancing the sector in
Smallholder
an
the country. We hope you enjoy
example of how hard work and
our other insight stories on the
persistence contributes to the
increasing value of solar to farmers
success of any business. As a way
and its impact beyond light, the
to highlight their efforts, we bring
write up on the first propagation
you their stories of perseverance,
lab in Tanzania by Mr. Mushobozi
GRAPHICS & DESIGN
motivation and hard work that we
and so many more, all enclosed
Bakari. R. Kacheuka
are featuring in a series of success
within our 4th issue of Horticulture
stories in this issue.
in Tanzania magazine.
TAHA Operations Department PUBLISHER Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) Kanisa Road, House no. 49 P.O. Box 16520 Arusha, Tanzania tel/fax: +255 272544568 email:info@taha.or.tz www.taha.or.tz
farmers
are
With varying backgrounds and means, our featured farmers all
SANDRA KABONGOYI, Managing Editor sandra@taha.or.tz
6P.10
stories make for a fascinating read
Contents HALF AN ACRE DIFFERENCE Vegetables proven to be a profitable business
P.12
P.33
P.38
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
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
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.” 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
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. Tree Seedlings Miti Mingi was not always a Nursery
not materialize fully, amongst other
Miti Mingi is perfectly equipped and
reasons because of an economic crisis.
has amassed great knowledge on how
for all types of seedlings, like it is now. At the start, like the name mentions in
10
Fruit Tree Seedlings
to grow and deliver high volumes of consistent, quality fruit tree seedlings.
Kiswahili, Miti Mingi was focused on
And so, fortunately, the focus shifted
trees. It was the time that the company
towards the production of improved,
There are numerous advantages of
expected
towards
grafted fruit tree seedlings which
grafted seedlings with the biggest one
forestation in the areas around Kili
management had prior great expertise
regarding their early fruit production
and Meru. It thus anticipated to
with in growing different varieties
as early as in their 2nd or 3rd year
nurture
tree
and grafting as demand for grafted
after planting, whereas conventional
seedlings and to make its expertise to
seedlings of mangoes, avocados and
seedlings will take many years to start
provide others with excellent source
citrus was on the rise. The growth
producing. The uniformity of your
material. However, these efforts did
since then has been steady and today,
plantation is also much improved if
strong
growing
efforts
indigenous
and as of today, Miti Mingi is perfectly able to produce seedlings in a special potting mixture, which creates the best circumstances for seeds to germinate. Seedlings produced include those of Cucumber, Tomato, Cabbage, Sweet Pepper, Chili etc.
purchasing your seedlings abound include
transplanting
time
saving,
low
losses
and
crop
uniformity. Whereas Miti Mingi can be a facilitator in the purchasing of seeds, they too accept seeds being brought to their lab and assisting in growing them on a customer’s behalf. The
current
In the new year of 2017, Miti Mingi Nurseries is launching a brand new venture of setting up a Tissue Culture Tanzania Laboratory. This will enable the production of large quantities of virus and disease free planting
There are several advantages for which
Tissue Culture
annual
capacity
material for crops such as banana, cassava and sweet potato. We are very excited about this new venture and hope to welcome many of you as our customers. Miti mingi is honored to have recently joined TAHA as members, and are excited about the new partnership and are looking forward to a positive
of
cooperation with all members.
the vegetable nursery is 500,000
grafted seedlings are used.
seedlings with prospects of increment With the capacity to produce up to
in line with the market demand.
100,000, Miti Mingi Nurseries Ltd has
Demonstration plot have also been set
been able to graft fruit seedlings in a
up to allow farmers see first hand the
year with mango varieties such as of
benefits of quality seedlings.
Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keith, Pavin and others. Avocados biggest demand is for Hass variety and Fuerte respectively. Vegetable seedlings About one year ago, Miti Mingi partnered with Rijk Zwaan/Afrisem for a small variety trial about Vegetable seedlings. It should be mentioned that in many countries around the world, hybrid vegetable 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
decided
in 2016 to transfer the production of
seedlings
for
their
respected
customers to Miti Mingi Nurseries. The investment in the right equipment and the partnership and since thrived
11
has a production base for a range of predatory mites and bio-pesticides made from natural fungi and bacteria. 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. Tanzania boasts a developing seed production
Beauty
producing marigold seeds are starting to
By Louise Labuschagne
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
Sticky traps in roses greenhouse
tool.
he Tanzanian Flower Industry
Technical Manager for Real IPM Kenya,
This all means a better return on
is set to flourish as it takes
to ensure that their staff know how to
investment. The establishment of Real
up more bio-intensive crop
use biological alternatives to chemical
IPM Tanzania in 2016 heralds a more
protection
programmes,
pesticides and still meet the quality
significant opportunity for Tanzanian
made possible by the Registration in
and yield targets. Real IPM has had the
flower farmers to follow suit. Beauty
Tanzania of well proven bio-pesticides
support of the Tanzanian Regulators,
without the Beast.
and predatory mites. Integrated Pest
who recognise the importance to the
Management programmes designed
Tanzanian Export Horticulture industry
Why are some customers demanding
to
will
of having alternatives to chemicals
a reduction in pesticide use on
help farmers counter the effects of
readily available. This should be of
flowers and plant cuttings, which are
resistance to chemicals and comply
equal importance on the local fruit and
not for human consumption?
with market demands. TAHA was the
vegetable markets in Tanzania.
will the producer be able to rise to
reduce
chemical
inputs
first organization to hold numerous
this challenge?
How
These are important
talks with the government from as
Whilst flowers are not consumed, the
commercial
early as 2007 and facilitated trials and
export markets are demanding lower
ignored at our peril. If the producer
its due to these efforts that enabled
chemical residues. Â Some groups of
is going to maintain market share and
the registration bio pesticides.
pesticides such as neonicotinoids
gain access to discerning markets, this
are banned by customers. Leading The Tanzanian rose and cuttings
is not the time for the ostrich to put its
Tanzanian companies are adopting
industry
with
head in the sand.
IPM programmes which have been
Gideon Ringo, Technical Manager for
developed in Kenya, where Real IPM
has
been
working
Real IPM Tanzania and Sam Ngugi the
12
Companies
such as East West Seed (Tanzania) Ltd
without the Beast
T
business.
questions,
which
are
Tanzanian cuttings - a cut above the
competitive
rest of the world
Tanzanian industry, able to use holistic,
advantage
for
the
Neonicotinoids threaten biodiversity
established a good reputation
The cuttings themselves are not the
for
cuttings
final end product, since they will be
T
for the pot plant and ornamentals
potted up on arrival in the EU and
feed on the pollen of plants treated
markets around the world.
Much
grown on into either pot plants for
with neonicotinoids.
overseas investment has empowered
decoration in houses or as transplants
during drilling of seeds treated with
Fides (Tanzania) Ltd, Multiflower
in cut-flower production greenhouses.
neonicotinoids also contains harmful
(Tanzania) Ltd and Dekker Bruins Ltd
Bees
pollinate
residues of neonicotinoids whilst just a
which have established nurseries near
the cuttings and neither are bees
few seeds treated with neonicotinoids
Arusha with easy access to air freight,
present in domestic houses or the
and eaten by birds can kill them.
experienced staff and input suppliers.
greenhouses where the cut flowers are
These Tanzanian subsidiaries of well-
later grown on in the EU. However, the
respected European based companies
customers of the EU pot plant and cut
have a greater ability to use cost
flower producers have demanded that
effective bio-pesticides than their
neonicotinoid pesticides are no longer
mother companies because of the
used at any stage in the production -
local availability of affordable bio-
including the production of cuttings in
pesticides and more than a decade’s
Tanzania. Neonicotinoids have been
commercial
banned by the EU Commission and the
T
he
cutting
industry high
in
affordable, prophylactic, bio-intensive
production Tanzania
quality
experience
IPM programmes.
has
of
bio-
intensive IPM programmes in East
are
not
here
is
overwhelming
scientific evidence1 that the
residues of neonicotinoids
used
to
also in the USA. Why is this?
in pollen and seeds end
up in the insects such as bees that Dust created
It’s not just because of the devastating effect2 on bees but also because of increasing evidence of the persistence of neonicotinoids in the soil, their solubility in ground water and their effect on a wider range of non-target 1 2
https://www.soilassociation.org/media/4779/ myths-and-truths-about-neonicotinoids-bee-coalition.pdf https://www.foe.co.uk/news/5-reasons-keep-ban-neonicotinoid-pesticides
Africa. This could be a significant
Gro-Plus
« Continued to Page 36
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For more information Real Solutions | Real Farming
Contact: (+255) 757 053 012 | (+254) 725 806 086
Visit: www.realipm.com
13
Cover Story
Succulent BLOOMS By Sandra Kabongoyi
14
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 years
Rhipsalis,
before they found a proper piece
Crassula and Peperomia that grow
of land. Some of the logistical
in deserts and the savannah are very
attributes that made the location
low in water consumption – a unique
attractive were the vicinity of the
selling point; have various beautiful
Kilimanjaro
shapes and brilliant colours and an
International
Airport,
Haworthia,
unbeatable
availability of labour that would
shelf
grow, and take a
of the cuttings due to
long time to
singular placement bio
life.
Whereas difficult to
greatly improve the quality
method
Echeveria,
propagate
in
a
gradable
n
d
h o l d e r s
breed,
used
the
O a s i s
employees
young
r a t h e r
plants
by
than is
the
as
practice
in to
Europe; and a great water
propagation of the succulents and before the Spanish imported ones were due.
However, even with the
well-established
infrastructure,
it
is still insufficient in meeting their clients’ demands. There is need to expand. “The demand is bigger than what we can supply,” says Christine. “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.” They will thus take their prior
s
experience of working with local
successfully
materials to construct their first
h
bundle
placement
demanded back fast before the full
a
m a n a g e d
“Tanzanian
be
Rene,
the
only
made
the
greenhouse”
company’s
as
Managing
propagators and breeder
Director, confidently puts it. The
borehole that is the main source of
of about half of the their variety
irrigation, netting and plastic will be
water is 80 metres deep, with superb
products in the world.
imported but the rest of the materials
supply source for the farm. The
are going to be locally sourced.
water quality almost comparable to rainwater and thus does not require
The farm is comprised of 4 green
purification before being used on
houses, 2 of which cover one hectare
Oasis
the cuttings through a drip irrigation
each that were imported from Spain
propagates orchids. 2008 was the
method.
and another 2 at the back of the farm
year the orchid market collapsed in
constructed with local materials and
Europe due to over production but
Oasis young plants specializes in the
mainly steel, which combined, cover
this too did not deter them. They
production of cuttings of indoor plants
half a hectare. The latter constructions
started small with approximately 200
with production cycles stretching from
of the two locally made greenhouses
plants in propagation even after being
6 months to 2 years, making them
were on a crush programme. The
advised against it by a shareholder.
unique to other flower production
company
greenhouse
There was an inquisitive local market
cycles.
space in Arusha that was being
that they tapped into in and around
The
succulents
including
had
rented
Young
Plants
Ltd.
also
15
Tanzania and it paid off. Whereas
contributing partners in the homework
the importance of the development of
the concept of keeping orchids was
studies of their children. This they
children at that level and were happy
entirely new, the Tanzanian women
achieved
through
of
to show us around the school and
have taken it with pride and this has
teachers
from
neighbouring
the activities which the children are
been a gratifying experience for the
Weru Weru secondary school for the
organization proprietors who have
program run on the premises. The
built relationships with these amazing
employees are also a part of sports
The management of Oasis Young
women. These clients are a part of the
teams for soccer and volleyball with
Plants Ltd. is thankful to the Tanzania
minority 2 percent local market of
encouraged participation as part of
Horticultural
their overall production, which leaves
their recreational plan.
which has been of great help as
outsourcing
the
Association
(TAHA),
advisors in the field of labour laws and
the rest 98 percent for export, mainly Oasis Young Plants Ltd. has put in
government’s legal regulations. They
place a strong social community
credit it as a source of information
responsibility
on
for numerous issues which has been
surrounding
education and gives back to the
indispensable to them especially as
community having started off with 80
community as much as possible
foreign investors during the almost
employees, who have now doubled to
through supporting construction of
10 years they have been in operation.
160. 70 percent of these are female
schools and a Church. They have also
This has been parcel of their long-term
and 30 male. This, they regard as their
put up a day care school on the farm
sustainability in the business and has
biggest achievement - the possibility
that accommodates twenty children
enabled a cordial relationship with the
to provide employment and be a
aged between 2 and 6 years from 8
environment they operate in. However,
part of household income generation
to 5pm during the week. This is to
with
of
community.
support the working mothers who
political situation regarding foreign
They have also invested in creating
cannot afford help and are unable to
investors, Christine and Rene are a
conducive working environment for
leave their little ones at home with no
bit skeptical about the future of the
their employees. An example is the
assistance. There are two teachers who
business. They are hopeful that things
startup of a simple English and Maths
recently got a 5-week training from
will get better and the investment
one-hour programme in the evenings
a consultant brought in from Europe.
climate more conducive for their
from 4.30pm, to better equip their
The training gave an evident boost
continued successful operation in
employees with basic understanding
in quality and competence to the
Tanzania.
of personal accounts and to be
teachers who now better understand
to Europe. The
organization
employment
16
involved in.
the
for
has the
surrounding
created
programme
the
ongoing
unpredictable
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
17
Mobisol system installation in Tanzania
Solar
MORE THAN LIGHT TO FARMERS By Peter Kossakowski and Sandra Kabongoyi
18
M
ore than 600 million Sub-Saharan
Africans
lack 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 population have no access to reliable gridbased electricity. However, only 5%
Mobisol Technicans Training, Tanzania
of this vast population is currently off-
decreases in harvests of many farmers
water system and Faki has become an
grid solar power. In order to fill this
due to lack of water. Solar energy
exemplary farmer in his community
gap, renewable energy companies
has improved certain areas of this
due to his horticultural success and
have set up offices and stations in
challenge by providing an alternative
an inspiration to his community
and around the country. One such
source of powering water pumps in
members who come to learn from
is Mobisol, a Berlin-based company
rural areas.
his farm. Whereas solar energy is
addressed
by
solutions
like
offering low-income customers in developing nations quality solar home systems that are a clean alternative to
unhealthy,
harmful,
environmentally
and
expensive
fossil
fuels. The German startup that was established in the Tanzanian market since 2012 and has thus far sold more than 50,000 solar home systems in Tanzania. The company has proven its
Faki Hanafi, a commercial farmer at Umbuji village in Unguja, Zanzibar, 10 minutes from Mpapa PTC is among many farmers who adopted improved technologies on the utilization of solar energy to pump water for his 4 acres of farmland on which he grows different varieties of vegetables. The farm is stalled with solar power irrigation
mostly associated with the use of sun radiation for lighting households, the main focus for farmers lies on solar powered water pumps and irrigation systems, which are becoming more and more important as rain seasons become more unpredictable and long dry spells of drought more common. After adopting improved technologies and
realizing
the
benefits,
Faki
business model and is happy to 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 farmers.
aspect The
for
smallholder
worldwide
climate
change is reshaping the life in Tanzania. With recent longer periods of draught leaving
many
farmer
businesses
straining and with reported dramatic
Mobisol Tanzania, Arusha, Workshop
19
invested his profits into the expansion
Solar drying is also a simple and
solar lights for a fair and affordable
of his plot from 0.4 to 2.43 hectares
affordable
has
price. There have been great benefits
and started also started growing
been proven to work efficiently and
of solar lights ranging from helping
different other crops such as green
can be built easily from common and
improved lifestyles in rural Tanzanians
pepper.
locally available materials - a very
by getting rid of hazardous kerosene
technology,
which
cost effective method to dry food for
lamps to offering bright light for
A very basic water pump setup can
longevity and value addition purposes
reading and studying at night. The
be a special Direct Current (DC) water
before sale. Examples of these on
government of Tanzania (e.g. TBS, TRA)
pump, which pumps the water from a
the Tanzanian market are dried fruit
has also been instrumental in the solar
well to a storage tank only when the
of mangoes, bananas, coconut and
energy movement by fighting against
sun is shining or, when batteries are
Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP)
counterfeit products and allowing
connected to enhance more capacity
and so many others. With a longer
the importation of high quality solar
at night, especially for wells with
shelf life of dried fruit, the farmer is
products VAT-free.
slow flow rates. This combined with
thus less dependent on special harvest
an irrigation system (either solar
seasons and post harvest losses.
powered or simple drip technology)
20
Running by the “Best Life. Best Solar” slogan, Mobisol’s biggest solar system
creates a perfect and secure solution
Solar lights and lanterns have been
provides enough energy to power
for small - and large-scale farmers and
in the Tanzanian market for a long
multiple lights, a home entertainment
enables the farmer a more reliable
time and are widely spread and
system including 32’’ TV, a Subwoofer,
source in comparison to grid power
common. Over the past years, various
haircutter
and thus better chances of consistent
NGO’s and companies entered the
charging options. These systems have
production cycles.
Tanzanian market to provide these
been used as sources of income for
and
multiple
phone
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
systems, egg incubators and agro-
such as Faki on achieving their dreams
purposes with which solar can be
processing machinery for the East
of becoming the leading horticulture
put to use regarding agriculture and
African audience especially in rural
businessmen as Faki happily states of
is going forward with investing in
areas where electricity is rare and
his future plans.
better technology by setting up a
even if available, highly unreliable.
learning research lab that will focus
The new lab will work on only solar
on working on projects to encourage
powered technology and test it and
production of improved and more
its feasibility in the Tanzanian context
efficient
with the hope of helping more farmers
water
pumps,
irrigation
“My future plan is to become the number one businessman in the horticulture sector in Unguja. I want my family to live the best life.......”
Sola bora, maisha bora
Pata mtambo wa sola wenye nguvu zaidi _ 0800 755000 Bure
✔
TEKNOLOJIA BORA kutoka Ujerumani
✔
Ufundi na ufungaji ni BURE
✔
NI RAHISI: Lipia kidogo kidogo hadi miaka 3 umiliki sola yako
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 product which are manufactured by A to Z Textile Mills Ltd ®
®
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
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 ®
Gro
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 to Z Textile Mills Ltd
22
P.O. Box 945, Arusha, Tanzania - Tel.: +255 788 808 info@azpfl.com - www.azpfl.co
ts dedicated to Agriculture and Horticulture, d. and Polyfoam Ltd., based in Arusha, Tanzania. ®
®
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.
Once nested they occupy only 50% space, during transport or storage when empty
ound Cover 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
d.
534 / +255 782 800 008 om
By the Farmers’ Side2 3
University Youth
in Food & Income Security
Until recently farming undertakings never sounded appealing to youth because traditionally, old people in the villages did farming. 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.
24
Y
oung people are in dying need of decent jobs that will help them realize their aspirations, improve their living conditions and actively participate in economic development of their country. However, this has not been the case because the Tanzania job market is not
able to absorb all graduates released
Through these initiatives, which have
size, colour, shape, weight and aroma
by colleges and universities every year.
helped TAHA to reach more than 5,000
improved
Recent studies have confirmed that
youth, we have witnessed escalating
command for better farm gate price.
about 1,200,000 students graduate
numbers of youth engagements in
from higher learning institutions in
horticulture production. Some even
This season, the group expects to
Tanzania annually. From these, only
ditched white collar jobs like Ben
fetch a farm-gate price of Tshs. 2,400
200,000 are absorbed into formal
Mashiba, a young entrepreneur from
/kg in which total revenue will be
employment, which is slightly less
Njiro, Arusha who resigned from
Tshs 19,200,000 in just one acre. An
than 6% of total graduates annually.
formal employment as an Accountant
initial investment in this one-acre is
which was earning him a monthly
Tshs 870,000 which is used for land
In reducing unemployment crunch,
salary of Tshs 800,000 to pursue a
preparation, crop protection, labor,
Tanzania
Association
tomato and sweet pepper production
fertilizer and seedlings. One youth is
(TAHA) has been engaging thousands
venture which currently earns him up
expected to make over Tshs 18,000,000
of youth in various Universities in a
to 10 times his previous salary in one
in one garlic production season and
bid to unveil to them lucrative self-
month.
the whole group will collectively
Horticultural
employment opportunities available
significantly
and
hence
generate almost Tshs 2 Billion in one
in horticulture value chains. Moreover,
In addition to young graduates, there
season. This income will not only be
TAHA has been challenging them to
are youth groups that were
beneficial to the youths, but also the
engage their youthful energy,
inspired
enthusiasm and knowledge
through
entire surrounding communities. It
TAHA
will have a multiplier effect to the
promotional
Dhirim Valley community in uplifting
various
to create employment for themselves and others
programs
and
through
engaged
in
commercial
the area economic development level.
has
horticulture
The Dhirim Valley initiative is one of
been achieved through
production
many youth initiatives, which TAHA
participating in Careers
such as Dhirim
has started. These initiatives have
horticulture.
Day
at
Colleges
This
Universities
and
in
Dar
Arusha,
Group
managed to change lives of more than
valley
2,000 youths by providing them with
in Mbulu; which is enjoying
reliable and sustainable employment
Youth es
from
Salaam and Kilimanjaro. The use
Dhirim
an
technical, marketing and access to
through
initiative that TAHA is implementing
finance services from TAHA. The group,
achievements are attributed to US
in collaboration with USAID TAPP,
which has 100 young farmers, owns
Government support through USAID’s
HORTI Tengeru, Sokoine University of
120 acres of farmland collectively
Feed the Future Initiative that has
Agriculture and Kizimbani Agriculture
which is committed for production of
facilitated TAHA to extend its services
Training Institute in Zanzibar, have
garlic. Initially, productivity used to
to farmers in horticulture production
been another worthwhile platform
be 4,000kgs of garlic bulbs per acre,
areas in the country. Such initiatives
for meeting young students and
which gave them an average income
are becoming more important in
graduates.
PTC
of Tshs. 8,000,000 per acre. After
addressing
initiative, TAHA has deployed more
receiving technical support through
challenges as formal employment
than 50 B.Sc. Horticulture students
intensive practical trainings in a
opportunities are becoming less and
from Sokoine University of Agriculture
demonstration plot, production per
less limited.
(SUA) for field practical trainings with
acre doubled from 4,000 kgs of garlic
different companies to give them a
bulbs to 8,000kgs per acre. After TAHA
practical understanding of operating
interventions, some important quality
horticultural businesses.
features of their produce especially
of
Practical
Training
Apart
Centers,
from
the
horticulture.
youth
These
unemployment
25
Make a difference:
“
Adopt vegetable-maize integration AVRDC/
too. Even that much that I don’t
Mr. Puputo is an energetic old
HORTI Tengeru team
need to weed my fields anymore
man aged 69-years. From the
delivered the training
since I can pay others to do it for
varieties introduced by AVRDC,
in our village last year,
me” says an old man, Mr. Omary
Mr. Puputo integrates amaranths
I thought of adopting
Puputo with a wide smile on his
(Madiira I), African nightshade
the
taught
face. He is the chairman of the
(Nduruma) and jute mallow (SUD
and the varieties given by the
farmer group in Sunya village that
2) into his one acre maize field.
project. And I did. No farmer in our
has been trained under the Africa
In the first season, he integrated
village has ever tried integrating
RISING-NAFAKA
partnership
African nightshade in his maize
maize with vegetables. I did and it
project for fast tracking delivery
field and harvested 1600 bundles,
turned out to be very successful. I
and
of which his household and
could contribute more vegetables
technologies in Tanzania.
When
the
practices
to feed my family and I sold a lot,
26
scaling
of
agricultural
neighbors consumed 300 bundles and 1300 bundles were sold for
TSH 200-300 per bundle. This
Crop
Season
Nightshade
2015
Amaranths
brought him an additional profit of TSH 330,000 [USD 157] after
Harvested (bundles)
Consumed (bundles)
Revenue (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
510,000 (US $ 243)
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
Total
that vegetables can do, what cereal crops might not, namely, to gain yields in times of climate
Table 1: Summarizing Mr. Puputo’s additional profits from vegetable/maize integration.
Puputo.
practices. However, very soon
farmers. Farmers can reproduce
For the new season (2016),
after applying the skills taught
those varieties scaled out by
Mr. Puputo planted even three
during training, I could see the
AVRDC/HORTI Tengeru for at
leafy
difference” Mr. Puputo said.
least 4-5 seasons.
Mr. Puputo and other farmers from
This scaling project has brought
Sunya village who participated
success to Mr. Puputo and
in the AVRDC/HORTI Tengeru
supports other vegetable growers
training also started to reproduce
in Manyara, Dodoma, Morogoro
the varieties handed out to them
and
by the project team. He and other
October 2014, the project team
of the leafy vegetables
members of the training group
has introduced vegetables best
do not only share some of their
practices and improved vegetable
Mr. Puputo has been a beneficiary
seeds with others, they also teach
varieties to 12 villages in the
and became a strong disseminator
them how to grow and reproduce
four regions, trained 381 farmer
of the trained technologies in his
the seed for their own production.
trainers and provided almost
village. “Improved varieties and
Since
1,000
agronomic practices changed my
varieties and high quality seed is
vegetable seed packs of improved
normal way of farming and from
still very high in most of the nine
varieties ready to be grown for
now on, I know how to utilize
pilot villages located in Babati,
home consumption and for sale in
my resources better than before.
Kiteto and Kongwa Districts, the
local and regional markets.
Before the training, I used to
project team decided to establish
sow the seeds rampantly and
with the farmer groups new
transplanted without considering
demonstration plots that mainly
spacing
aim to reproduce more seeds for
variability”
said
Mr.
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
or
other
agronomic
the
demand
for
new
Iringa
Regions.
farmers
with
Since
AVRDC
27
After
Before
The Mingas
We Are Living Our Retirement Dream
P
joined
watermelon production from which
commercial farming after
11 tonnes were produced, 4 of which
30 years in civil service.
were rejects. The income garnered
She was employed first
totaled to 4.9 million Tanzanian
with the government and later
shillings. Her future dreams are of
joined Tanzania Revenue Authority
increasing the farming cultivation
from 1996 to 2014 where she was
activity to 50 acres of the 100 acres
based in Arusha and Kilimanjaro
owned by the family and the rest 50,
regions. The 100-acre farm is part of
rented out.
atience
“I have acquired enough experience and I don’t worry about my second season.”
Minga
the family business and retirement
28
plan for the Minga couple, having
Patience,
a
playful
63-year-old
acquired the property 12 years ago
keeps laughing cheerfully during the
in 2004. Cultivation is currently
interview when she mentions her
being carried out on only 3 acres for
billionaire dreams of horticulture
farming. A graduate with two honors degrees in Management and 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 have 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 such as Wade Rain with whom she
months with great success. Where
We have had big changes from our
was able to acquire a comprehensive
as Patience, mentions that they
former professions for myself and
irrigation system. She expressed her
encountered post harvest losses, she
for my husband who is an engineer.”
sincere gratitude towards the Wade
insists that they were minimal and
she says. She credits having the right
Rain. Mrs. Minga management and
did not affect the overall return on
people with the right expertise such
especially the General Manager,
investment.
as Wade Rain and the agronomic
Brittany, who was able to make
assistance received from TAHA as
several trips to the farm and give
Commercial farming has not come
some of the secrets to her current
advice regarding the successful,
easily to Patience and her family
success.
set up of the now functional drip
and says that it has not been easy
irrigation system. The farm started
to cope with the changes that they
Minga’s journey began with a visit
commercial cultivation and picked a
experience basing on their past
to Farmer’s Day Exhibitions (Nane
short season crop of watermelons,
backgrounds. “ We are still in the
Nane) a national annual event that
which
learning process regarding farming.
is dedicated to farmers and their
were
harvested
after
5
29
30
plight in the contribution to the
“I can’t forget that day when I went
watermelon seeds to use, sending
economy of the country. She visited
to Nane Nane, at the TAHA’s booth.
agronomists to assist where she
different service provider booths
I learnt so much on horticulture
was unsure and encouraging her
but what particularly impressed her
and that was the trigger. I had been
every step of the process until the
was TAHA’s stall; where her farming
hesitant but after that exposure and
final stage. She goes on to say, “I
ambitions were encouraged and
explanation I knew that nothing
have acquired enough experience
several
was going to stop me from reaching
and I don’t worry about my second
good agricultural practices explained
my goals.” She said happily.
season.”
to her, which she currently applies on
praises The Tanzania horticultural
her farm. The learning process was
Association (TAHA) for assisting her
There have been some unavoidable
solidified and the ball set in motion
in various activities in her farming
challenges, one of which was the
for her billionaire farming dreams
activities and their help especially
price fluctuations of watermelons.
which she is still working upon with
during the first year of production.
After harvest, the prices were low
great belief that they will come true.
Assistance regarding the kind of
leading
terminologies
regarding
She
to
low
margin
returns
Complete
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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
in comparison to their expected
There is the wild life of dik diks in
returns. Another major challenge is
the area that destroy crops planted.
the scarcity of water in and around
She plans on fencing off the farm to
the village the farm is located.
avoid theft cases and trespassers but
They have had to drill through the
this too is costly. Her faith has not
ground for a water source from
faltered as she plainly states that
which water is pumped overnight
each business has got its challenges
into the 20,000-liter tanks and then
and these are hers; with her advice to
dispersed to the farm through the
other farmers particularly the ones
drip irrigation system. The water
in the horticulture industry being on
system has been effective, thanks to
keeping the faith and having belief
Wade Rain’s tireless input but also,
in what they are doing and keeping
it has been expensive. This too has
their dreams alive.
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.
faced shortcomings from the lack of
32
grid electricity and the farm solely
Minga also calls upon the government
relies on a generator for electricity.
to help farmers within the sector,
Minga concluded.
MR. MUSHOBOZI’S
FIRST OF A KIND CROP PROPAGATING LAB IN TANZANIA By Zephania Ubwani
A
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 disease-free, 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 twoacre 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. 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 HDPE (high density poly ethaline) is used
H
which is opaque and brittle. It breaks
How the bags should be stored
ow it works: Once closed as
Recommended crops for storage using
per instructions provided,
HST: MAIZE, BEANS, COW PEAS, GREEN
oxygen and other gases are
GRAMS, SORGHUM, MILLET, CHIC PEAS,
prevented from entering or
and many other cereals.
exiting the bag thus protects the dried grains and pulses from infestation damage that most commonly occurs during
post-harvest
storage.
The
key precaution is to ensure stored grains and cereals are dried to the recommended
moisture
(13.5%) before storage.
levels
Availability: In Kenya, the HST bags are available in more than 600 AGDs across
Kenya
and
Tanzania.
The
Rockefeller Foundation is funding the PHM program through Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA) for the Hermetic Storage Technology (HST) supported by their sub-contractors
with impact and repeated handling. As one liner does not work, the farmers are advised to use two liners. This is an old extrusion technology. The multilayer which consists of 5 or more layers co-extruded and blown with multiple compounds and joined together to form one super strong inner liner. It gives the best hermetic property in terms of oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and the bag strength. This is the latest technology and the HST bag requires just one multilayer liner to be effective.
34
Benefits of using the HST bags Better Margins: Hardworking farmers and their families do not have to sell all the grains and pulses in a hurry at the time of harvest and get the minimum prices, but store them in the HST bags and sell them later as the market prices go up to increase their margins.
infested.
reuse. Food Security: Farmers can store their grains at home without any worries of post-harvest damages and use their harvest when they need for their family, instead of buying from shops at a higher price later. It would revive the granary concept, back at homes, that seems to have extinct with the small
No loss of weight during storage: There is no moisture gain or loss when dried grains and pulses are stored in the HST bags, which normally happens in WPP bags and farmers lose 4 to 5 Kgs in weight per bag.
hold farmers over the years.
These additional margins would make the farmers economically strong to pay the school fees for their children, medical expenses of the family and funds to get seeds & inputs for the next
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, expose them to the
Food Safety: Since no pesticides are
sunlight till the pesticide dust effect
used for storage, food prepared from
is minimized and then store them into
these grains and pulses do not affect
the HST bag.
the health, hence, provides a healthy body and therefore a healthy mind.
Financial Security & stronger future:
damaged when acquiring it or before
Shelf life: The HST bag can be used for a minimum of three seasons, which is much below the cost of pesticide dust and the repeat dusting required in 3 to 4 months for the post-harvest storage.
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
season. Most small holder farmers are
Precaution before use: The cereals
& eaves must be secured well with
forced to sell their produce at the time
and pulses should be dried to the
a wire mesh. Natural repellants are
of harvest at less prices whereas they
recommended moisture content for
recommended for use to keep rodents
could sell the same after 3 to 4 months
storage purpose. The harvest should
away.
by storing in a HST bag thus ensuring
also be cleaned and sorted well e.g.
Price: In Kenya The HST bag is available
over 67% increased revenue from
to remove stones and other material
to the farmers at KES 250/- for 100kg
sale of their stored produce. Farmers
such as wood splinters or crop
and KES 150/- for 50kg.
also get better market acceptance
residues which could damage the liner,
Hermetic Storage Technology Bags are
by the buyers if their grains are not
before storing in the HST bag and the
available in Tanzania to the farmers at
treated with pesticide dust and are not
inner liner should not be perforated or
TZS 4,500/-, on an average, across the country
Farmers pose with HST bags
35
Instructions to use: • •
•
Fill with 100 Kg / 50 kg of the
inner liner, bend the twisted inner
Place the HST Bag together with
grains to be stored up to 2/3rd of
liner part and close it using a
the inner liners.
the bag
smooth tie.
Pour little quantity of grains and
•
adjust the bag to remove any folds.
•
Remove all air pockets from the
•
The outer bag is also closed in the
top of the liner.
same way as the inner liners with
Twist the remaining part of the
a smooth tie. •
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.
Farmers line up to buy HTS bags in Kenya
« from Page 13 organisms.
Neonicotinoids
are
alternatives to neonicotinoids and
$2.63 billion to the bottom line
neurotoxins, albeit more specific to
how can they be applied effectively
of
insects than mammals, but recent
to crops to protect them from harmful
such as Syngenta and Bayer.
studies on mice reveal that the
sap-sucking pests?
Are these bio-
neonicotinoid seed treatment market
breakdown products of neonicotinoids
controls compatible with less toxic
expanded rapidly from the 1990’s to
have more of an effect on mammals
chemicals?
Start asking the right
2008, when this additional market
than originally understood.
questions. Time is not on your side.
contributed some EUR 957 million
Make sure you have good advisers extension
by 2008.
who can answer these questions. It
workers and government regulators
government bans on these chemicals,
is not uncommon for agrochemical
need to be well versed in the risks
these companies are spending many
companies to be the main source of
attached
more millions of dollars lobbying to
advice on farms - this is a potential
have the ban ‘softened’.
Tanzanian
farmers,
to
continued
sales
of
neonicotinoids in Tanzania if they are
and
Tanzanian
Tanzanian
foreign
consumers exchange
from horticultural exports.
Bees
36
companies The
As a consequence of the
In the end, farmers must use their Thiamethoxam,
clothianidin
and
best efforts to make a profit without
imidacloprid are neoticotinoids and
excessive use of chemical pesticides.
they have been the most widely
Beauty without the Beast.
make farming profitable so the rest
used
of the agricultural industry needs to
1990’s , accounting for 40% of the
follow carefully how the cuttings and
global pesticide market.
flower industry is reacting to these
neonicotinoids
challenges. What are the biological
agrochemical
conflict of interest.
to protect Tanzanian bees, Tanzanian biodiversity,
large
chemical
group
since
the
3
3
In 2011
contributed
http://www.tfsp.info/systemic-pesticides/
over
HOW TAHA INFORMATION SYSTEM (TIS) IS LIFTING THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY
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 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.
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
In the process of identifying challenges
Pamela Lyamuya a Greenhouse farmer
amongst
in
these are sometimes unreachable thus
who has benefited from the system
Tanzania, TAHA realized that, farmers
email addresses and a website could
says she has been able to solve her
lack information on prices, buyers,
act as convenient alternatives.
pricing and buying problems. “It is
logistics, production tips, and these
very easy to use since it enables me to
Digitalization
were crucial setbacks for their growth
prepare for the market before i harvest
accommodate dissemination of online
economically. To address the gap, TAHA
and gives me updates on prices and
horticulture
invented the TAHA Information System
where to sell my crops thus preventing
audio and video clips will also be of
(TIS),
me from over budgeting.” Said Pamela.
added advantage while promoting the
a
horticultural
horticultural
farmers
information
platform that collects, analyses and
of
the
farming
system
to
publications,
system to reach more users of different
disseminates information on prices,
Through TIS, many farmers; even
services in the value chain through
buyers, logistics as well as production
those located in remote areas short
various
tips to different users.
of electricity and internet have been
such as print and electronic media,
able to readily avail the information Having been launched in 2014, TIS
social media, and bulk messages to
provided by the system rendering it
has data enumerators placed in 16
create awareness for a wider outreach
reliable. Adonaya Kilatu from Njombe
markets covering the potential and
of more farmers.
has been using TIS for the past
consumption
Tanzania
two years and is glad to have been
With most of farmers depending
Mainland, Zanzibar as well as Kenya.
introduced to the system earlier. It
on one market source TIS will be an
The initiative is today benefiting more
has benefited him with easy access
alternative source for they have a
than 15,000 farmers who are accessing
of markets for his harvests. Before
wider market range to sell and price
different
information
TIS, he had to go from one market to
their produce.
via their mobile phones through
another comparing prices, which has
Unstructured Supplementary Service
since been solved by the information
Data (USSD) technology.
system service. “Last year (2016)
zones
horticultural
of
communications
channels
37
Matilda’s
Backyard Success with Capsicum Farming
C
has
Ms. Matilda Maida is a determined
Prior to commercial farming, Matilda
become one of the most
55-year-old woman who chose to start
was a primary school teacher until
common and lucrative forms
in 2015 after receiving her pension
her retirement in 2005. The dream
of commercial farming in
benefits. With the help and support
to begin Greenhouse farming was
Tanzania. This is mainly attributed
of her family, she started small with
conceived thereafter but it was not
to
outdoor crops and eventually invested
until 2015 when she received her
require a slightly warmer
in a green house. She capitalized
pension that she was able to start.
temperature
on her home plot and together with
Living in Merit village at Ilboru near
tomatoes or cucumbers
her husband made a plan on what
Arusha town, Matilda has maximized
and are less likely to
they would like to achieve. More
the use of her home plot by setting
apsicum
get
the
fact
infested
that
they
than
by
diseases or pests
38
growing
than
anything,
Matilda
up her Greenhouse project in the
credits the support of
backyard. Saying confidently, “I have
even
though
her husband as being of
enough
they
still
great and tremendous
capsicum even though its only my
need proper
help. The couple has
second season and this is because in
preventive
been blessed with four
my first season I got good assistance
care.
children.
from TAHA agronomists who gave me
experience
in
growing
every
season
presenting
regards herself as her own role model.
great guidance. This improved my
with
outputs and I was pleasantly surprised
different prices. There are also an
by my profit returns in my first season
increasing number of farmers, which
Matilda thinks the government should
as it exceeded my expectations.” Said
respectively increases demand of
give more support to smallholder
Matilda.
TAHA’s agronomists thus rendering it
farmers like her. The prices of different
difficult to get agronomist assistance
agriculture inputs are very high and if
Matilda earned 6 million from the
on time when there is a problem on
it were not for the help of organization
first season of capsicum farming and
the farm. This causes the problem to
like TAHA, people would fear to join the
has been able to pay for university
accelerate where it could have been
horticulture sector. “TAHA advised me
education for her daughter. She also
quickly resolved.
from the very beginning what I should plant, where I should buy seeds, how
confesses of a better lifestyle at home with her husband. Whereas the home
Matilda has been exemplary to the
to prepare the farm, how take care
venture of commercial farming has
community around her and has put
of the farm until the last process of
been a great success, it faces a huge
her primary school teacher experience
marketing.” Said Matilda.
marketing challenge although TAHA
to teach and encourage both young
has been helpful with market linkage
farmers and elderly ones who come
After her success in capsicum growing,
and she was able to sell her capsicums
to her looking for advice regarding
Matilda is thinking of building a
at a reasonable price. “TAHA was able
greenhouse farming. She is very happy
second Greenhouse when she gets
to find a good market for me after the
with her farming practice and hasn’t
enough funds in order to increase
first harvest and I was able to sell for
gone a day without food or money
crop production by producing other
a very good price but for the second
for her daily personal errands. She is
crops
harvest the market has not been as
a role model and someone that other
Matilda’s self-employment has given
good. Hopefully, it gets better soon,”
people learn from. She had to garner a
her financial freedom, and renders the
she says.
lot of determination before she could
support she gets from her husband,
join commercial farming and its for
extended family and the Tanzania
Certain challenges such as price
that reason and the challenges she
Horticulture Association invaluable.
fluctuations have been unavoidable
has overcome along the way that she
and
enlarge
her
business.
39
Tons of Success from Red Jet F1 sweet pepper variety from Rijk Zwaan Rijk Zwaan’s Red Jet F1 sweet pepper variety has been a successful hit for TAHA member farmers, Moza Khalifan Masoud and Verenenda Baraza.
Moza Khalifan Masoud 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 tons. The harvesting will last at least 9 cycles without droppings, with an expected overall production output of approximately 20 tons 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 price rate, Ms. Moza will be able to earn 8,820,000 million TZS, however
M
it should be noted that green pepper
oza Khalifan Masoud first
Lobunguti overlooked the process that
prices are also expected to rise from
visited TAHA offices in
eventually produced 12000 seedlings.
the month of April to 150,000TZS
Arusha September 2016
They were transplanted after a month,
per 100kgs, raising Ms. Moza’s total
requesting for technical
in January 2017 and a fertilizer
earning expectations to 13.5 million
assistance. Having decided to put her
program scheduled according to the
TZS.
one-acre piece of land at Olasity on
soil sampling results.
the outskirts of Arusha to farming, she sought professional assistance
With an initial investment of about
on how to go about it. TAHA senior
10 million for
agronomist Loto Simon advised her to
the farm, the
do soil sampling and analysis at crop
first harvesting
nut Nairobi. From the results attained,
took
the team decided on the production
in
of green peppers; Red Jet F1 variety
2017,
whose seeds were acquired from Rijk
66 days after
Zwaan Afrisem. The seeds were raised
transplanting.
in a commercial nursery located in
Ms.
Usa River, on the outskirts of Arusha
harvested
town with which TAHA partners. The
1400kg
(1.4
community-based facilitator Mr. Ole
tons)
the
place March just
Moza
in
first cycle and
40
« Continue to Page 42
TAHA PICTORIAL
Our Zanzibar agronomist, Khalfan Nassoro demonstrates to farmers at a plant nursery in Mpapa.
Our CEO speaks to students from Kimaseki Secondary School about the potential in horticulture on their visit to TAHA headquarters Arusha .
Farmers receive practical training skills from TAHA’s senior agronomist, Simon Loto, on Farmers Field Day in Njiro Arusha.
TAHA CEO & CMD pose with Country Director for TRIAS Tanzania, Bart Casier & Tiina Huvio from FFD
Farmers take notes from TAHA’s Community Based Facilitator (CBF) Justin Zephania (First Right) at his onion farm in Ilkiding’a village during Farmer field day trip.
TAHA’s C.E Jacqueline Mkindi speaking to a press member after receiving MALKIA WA NGUVU Award by Clouds Media Group at the Julius Nyerere Conventional Centre in Dar es Salaam.
41
ÂŤ Continues From Page 40
Verenenda Baraza
V
enerada
from
hails
life span and Veneranda has expressed
from Bagamoyo and first
her gratitude to TAHA for linking her
heard about Red Jet F1
with input suppliers such Rijk Zwaan
Green
for quality high yielding varieties.
TAHA’s
Baraza
Pepper agronomists
Variety Yusuf
Mlisho and Loto Simon. Having been
Ready market being one of the biggest
advised on its positive outputs, she
challenges faced in the horticultural
purchased 247 plants from Rijk Zwaan
value chain, Veneranda is thrilled to
in Bagamoyo. Ms. Baraza who owns 3
have had market linkage assistance
acres of land transplanted Red Jet F1
from TAHA which has been able to
on 24th February 2017, and just two
link her to a ready market for her first
months after transplanting, on 20th
harvest and has so far sold 50 bags
of April harvested her first produce.
at a price of 60,00Tz. She is happy
Each single plant has an expected
with the experience so far and is
production capacity range of 3 to 5
optimistic about future prospects for
kilograms which combined brings her
her commercial farming venture.
total estimated production up to 1235 Kg (1.23 tons) per cycle. The green pepper variety has a 9 cycle harvesting
42
16
43
Sweet pepper Red Jet RZ F1
Red Jet RZ F1 Red Jet RZ F1 is a blocky pepper, that can be harvested green or red. It is suitable for open field cultivation, and has an excellent resistance pattern. Red Jet RZ F1 has an easy fruit setting, a good leaf coverage, and a short plant habit. The average weight of the fruits is 240 gr.
Want to know more ? Contact us today ! Arusha : Bagamoyo : Lushoto : Mwanza : Morogoro :
Abel Kuley Salmon Mugangala Anania Josia George Upina Naiman Mollel
T +255 677 000 405 T +255 764 818 100 T +255 757 343 377 T +255 762 682 824 T +255 677 000 402
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Rijk Zwaan Afrisem Ltd| PO Box 12345 | Usa River | Arusha | Tanzania | info@afrisem.com | www.rijkzwaanafrica.com