Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

A Farmer Field Day (FFD) event was successfully conducted at Gurungu village in Manyoni District on 16th February, 2023 and Mirambo village in Chemba District on 17th February, 2023. The event was organized by TARI Makutupora in collaboration with IITA and key implementing partner, namely LEAD Foundation through the Africa RISING project under the sub-activity titled ''Partnership with LEAD Foundation to scale soil and water management technologies in erosion-prone areas of Central Tanzania.

The two FFD events brought together a wide range of stakeholders such as farmers, lead farmers, extension officers, researchers, District Agricultural Livestock and Fisheries Officers and government leaders such as District Commissioners, District Executive Director, District Administrative Secretary, village leaders, Ward Executive Officers, and Village Executive Officers. A total of 80 farmers from Gurungu village and 85 farmers from Mirambo village attended the FFD events on their respective days.

The FFD event was conducted purposely to demonstrate best technologies introduced and popularized in the project participating villages in Chemba and Manyoni Districts. These technologies include soil erosion control practices using Fanya Juu/Chini terraces, In-situ rainwater harvesting techniques using tied ridges (Harvesting rainwater in the field) and good agronomic practices such as the use of improved seeds, use of organic and inorganic fertilizer, recommended spacing and intercropping. Other technologies demonstrated include farmer managed natural resource technologies (FMNR) called Kisiki hai and planting of leguminous trees (Gliricidium Serpium) on the banks of terraces to reinforce the banks and add nutrients to the soil

Apart from demonstrating the above mentioned technologies, the guideline for the installation of terraces called “Hatua rahisi za uwekaji wa makingamaji shambani – Mwongozo kwa maafisa ugani na wakulima viongozi’’ was inaugurated during the FFD event. In Manyoni District, the guideline was inaugurated by Acting District Commissioner, Mr. Fadhili Chimsala and in Chemba District, the guideline was inaugurated by District Commissioner, Hon. Gerald Mongela. The guideline aimed at capacitating the Field Officers and Lead Farmers to install terraces in the fields..

The Guideline for the installation of terraces (Fanya Juu/Chin)

Mr Fadhili Chimsala Inaugurate the  Guideline for the Installation of Terraces (Fanya Juu/Chin) at Gurungu Village in Manyoni District.

During the FFD event the project manager Prof. Bekunda Matete (IITA representative), explains the reasons for the USAID continue supporting the Africa RISING project for the past ten years in Tanzania. Among the reasons were to increase food security, to increase crop productivity by harvesting rainwater in the field and controlling soil erosion as well as building capacity of researchers and other supporting staff. He also requested the Guest of Honor at Mirambo Village Hon. Gerald Mongella to set by laws that will address the soil erosion problem at the village and district level. 

Prof. Bekunda Matete request the Guest of Honor During Farmer Field Day  to  set by laws that will address the soil erosion problem at the village and district level. 

The Guest of Honor at the FFD event conducted at Gurungu Village in Manyoni District was Mr Fadhili Chimsala (Head of Division of Agriculture and Livestock), who represented the District Commissioner of Manyoni District. For the case of Chemba district the guest of honor was the District Commissioner Hon. Gerald Mongella at Chemba District. In their speech both Mr. Fadhili Chimsala and Hon. Gerald Mongella emphasized farmers to apply the technologies demonstrated during FFD event so as to increase crop productivity and food security. 

Mr. Fadhil Chimsala(DALFO) from Manyoni District Giving a Speech to Farmers at Gurungu Village

District Commissioner from Chemba District Hon.  Gerald Mongella Giving a Speech to Farmers at Mirambo Village