Integrated farming systems for smallholder farmers in East Africa

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1 Integrated farming systems for smallholder farmers in East Africa Project status and donor Goal Project duration and countries Specific role of Africa Harvest Theory of change/ approach Partners and Collaborators Progress Challenges and lessons learnt Ongoing project, IFAD Contribute to poverty reduction, food and nutritional security through dissemination of proven crop technologies and soil management approaches to enhance agricultural productivity while sustaining the natural resources base. January 2015 to March 2018 Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi Project leadership and oversight, management and coordination, contractual agreement, financial management, planning meetings, team work facilitation, establishing linkages between basic seed sources and seed multipliers, monitoring and reporting. Use of science and technology: Enhance development of seed systems through adoption of proven technologies such as TC bananas, nutritionally-enhanced beans and sweet potatoes, and disease-tolerant cassava. Value chain development: Increase productivity of selected value chains by promoting better farming methods to farmers and adoption of modern post-harvest management technologies. Tanzania: ARI Maruku, Ministry of Agriculture andprivate seed companies. Kenya: The International Potato Centre (CIP), KALRO Kakamega, County Government of Nyamira, County Government of Kisii and private seed companies. Burundi ISABU, Ministry of Agriculture and private seed companies 1. Rapid Appraisal (RA) conducted and completed 2. Seed systems development: Both formal and informal seed suppliers earned over USD 35,000 from sales of various seeds by end of Capacity building of farmers and other players: 21,785 farmers trained, 59 informal seed multipliers trained and 64 Agriculture Extension Officers trained as ToTs. Challenges: 1. Low uptake of some technologies such as TC bananas farmers cited high cost of seedlings. 2. Drought experienced in second half of 2016 resulting in poor seed production. 3. Sourcing of seeds and seedlings from suppliers: Volumes and timing (with planting or rainy season). Lessons learnt: Building strong partnerships with research organizations, Ministry of Agriculture and private seed companies has allowed Africa Harvest to expand its reach in Tanzania and Burundi. 16 Africa Harvest Annual Report 2016

2 Integrated Farming Systems for Sustainable Livelihoods in East Africa (INFAS) Project: Rapid Appraisal of household baseline social economic status Rapid Appraisal (RAs) were conducted in target areas to help develop a detailed understanding of household baseline social economic status. This involved identifying specific needs and prioritizing technological interventions designed for specific entry points and actions. These studies comprehensively documented the status of banana, cassava, bean production and marketing, as well as soil fertility management in the target regions. They also provided insights on key players in the sector and the role they play in the target crops value chains. The contribution of the target crops to household food security and income, the diversity of target crops germplasm, target crops products and challenges faced by growers was documented. The production potential for specific crops in the target regions was also established. Marketing structure in the target regions were analyzed and existing market opportunities and challenges discussed with the farmers and other stakeholders. In Burundi, the study was carried out by Institut des sciences agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU), the national research organization. It focused on Mugina and Bukinanyana communes, of Cibitoke province and Isale and Mutimbuzi communes of Bujumbura province. A baseline cross-sectional survey design using qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection was applied. This was supplemented by other information from document reviews and focus groups. A purposive sampling approach was used to select the communes where the project intends to solve existing constraints in banana, cassava, beans and sweet potatoes production. Within each commune, villages were randomly selected, based on the availability of enough land for different households. Agricultural Extension Officers helped develop a list of farmers in each village and a total of 160 respondents constitute the sample size. An average of 40 farmers were interviewed in each commune. In Tanzania, the study was carried out by the Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) Maruku, a center of the national research organization. It was conducted in Kasambya, Nsunga, Kilimilile and Kitobo wards of Missenyi District and in Ngenge, Biirabo, Mushabago and Burungula wards of MulebaDistrict both in the Kagera region. The baseline survey was designed in a way that four wards from each district were selected, and in each ward two villages were sampled. In each village, the number of households selected was based on the total number of people in the village. In each district, 120 households were selected for interview, making 240 respondents from both districts. In each district, four wards were selected and in each ward, 30 farmers were sampled. In each ward, two villages were selected, but the number of farmers interviewed was determined by population size of the village in question. Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) were also held with farmers of different categories in both districts. In Tanzania, about 66% of farmers were between 31 and 55 years old. This means that most of them are in the active working age bracket, which favours farming activities. Over 42% of those surveyed had large households of between 6 and 10 people. About 45% of those interviewed had very small parcels of land between one and two acres unlike in Burundi where 51.2% of the respondents indicated that that they owned land that was more than 2.5 acres (1ha). Food, Nutritional Security and Sustainable Livelihoods of Smallholders Program 17

3 However, a lot of the farmers in Burundi do not have titles to their land pieces. Agriculture is very important to the majority of farmers in Tanzania (98%), and a similar figure in Burundi depend on farming as their main source of livelihood. This is an indication that there is a need to diversify income streams, possibly by development of agro-processing industries in this area. Although about 62% of the respondents indicated affiliation to a group of some kind, very few of them (11%) belong to a farming group in Tanzania. The majority belong to a self-help or welfare group. In Burundi, the figure is higher; 30.6% of the respondents indicated they belonged to groups, of which over 55% of them were farming groups. All the three crop value chains the project focused on were rated highly by respondents in Tanzania. Bananas, beans and cassava were among the top five most important crops in this region. Banana was rated 1 st, beans 2 nd and cassava 4 th. Maize was rated the 3 rd most important crop. In Burundi, the respondents rated bean (31.9%) highest, as it is the most important food crop, followed by cassava (28.8%), banana (15.2%) and maize (13.4%). The findings led to the conclusion that the INFAS project would promote bananas, beans and cassava as the main crops in Tanzania, and bananas and beans in Burundi. INFAS Project: Developing private-sector driven seed systems multiplication of clean cassava cuttings in Kagera, Tanzania Cassava is an important food security crop in Tanzania s Kagera region, however productivity per unit area is still low. This tuberous crop can be grown in most of sub-saharan Africa (SSA). It is well adapted to dry environments and grows fast. Tubers can be harvested in 8 months, making it an important food security crop because it can stay underground for close to 18 months without getting spoilt. It is estimated that over 300 million people in SSA depend on cassava for over 40% of their daily calorie intake. Tanzania s average production of cassava tubers stands at about 5.4t/ha, way below the potential yield of 20t/ha for some varieties like Mkombozi, which Africa Harvest has been promoting. The low yields are attributed to continued use of local varieties that are highly susceptibile to major diseases such as cassava mosaic and brown streak diseases, and poor agronomic practices. In the Kagera region, cassava is the most important tuber crop, with 69% of the farming households cultivating it. It is estimated that a good farmer can earn up to USD 900 per ha if they can access clean high yielding planting material. The easiest way to do this is through the use of quality declared seed (QDS). This is a system of seed quality control developed by FAO that is less expensive than regular certification procedures and is widely used and accepted in Tanzania. Registered smallholder farmers produce seeds that conform to specified standards. The seed multiplication system is regulated by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), the plant health inspection regulatory services provider. The INFAS project used the QDS method to improve accessibility of clean planting material in the target regions. The Extension Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture identified the seed multipliers to be trained by Africa Harvest, while the suitability of the sites was confirmed by ARI Maruku. 18 Africa Harvest Annual Report 2016

4 Tadeo Bembwa (right, in a grey shirt), a registered smallholder cassava seed multiplier in his newly established cassava multiplication farm in Kasambya Ward, Missenyi District in Kagera Region in Tanzania. Mr. Tadeo Bembwa from Kasambya Ward in Missenyi District was one of the small-scale farmers who was identified as a seed multiplier. He immediately bought into the idea, especially after learning that the Mkombozi variety is an early maturing variety that is tolerant of cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak disease. He put half an acre of his land under cassava seed production. ARI Maruku provided him with 2,000 cuttings of clean seed, which he planted in December One year later, he harvested his first cassava cuttings for sale. From the 43,000 cuttings harvested, Tandeo earned TZS 860,000. He appreciates the technical support he has been receiving from Agriculture Extension Officers from Missenyi District s Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperative office. He now knows that productivity per unit area can be increased by using improved seed and ensuring good agronomic practices. He plans to increase his seed multiplication unit from the current half to two acres. INFAS Project: Developing privatesector driven seed systems improving farmer access to improved beans seeds and clean cassava cuttings Beans and cassava are important food security crops in the Kagera region, however productivity per unit area is still low. To improve accessibility of beans by the farmers, Africa Harvest is using the semi-informal seed multiplication system. The INFAS project is working with semi-informal seed multipliers under QDS. Some 16 semi-informal seed multipliers were identified and trained by ARI Maruku and TOSCI; the focus was on the minimum requirements a seed multiplier is expected to meet in order to multiply bean seed. The bean of choice in the target region was the Njano Uyole variety, developed by scientists at ARI, Uyole in Southern Tanzania. One of the groups that benefited Food, Nutritional Security and Sustainable Livelihoods of Smallholders Program 19

5 Dr Magdalena William (right, with a brown handbag) a bean breeder with ARI Maruku Tanzania, trains informal seed multipliers and Extension Officers on bean-related pests and diseases. from this training was the Tuinuane Kilimo group in Ngenge Ward, Missenyi District, in the Kagera region. The Tuinuane Kilimo group was formed in 2012 by 35 smallholder farmers in Byamutemba village of Missenyi District. It currently has 28 members; 10 female and 18 male. The group came together to seek new methods of farming that would help improve their livelihoods through increased productivity. The group has three goals at the moment: a) expanding their agricultural seed production expansion, b) establishing storage facility to preserve their seeds and products and c) adopting irrigation systems in their farms to increase productivity. In 2015, the group was identified by the local Extension Officers as having the potential to multiply bean seed under the informal system. The secretary of the group, Mr. Tarasisi Pastori, was selected by members to attend training held at ARI Maruku. Africa Harvest coordinated the meeting; the training was conducted by ARI Maruku and TOSCI. After the meeting, and through the guidance of the Extension Officers, a one-acre bean demonstration plot was established in one of the members farms. In this demonstration plot, the members of the group received their training in bean agronomy and bean seed multiplication. 20 Africa Harvest Annual Report 2016

6 Tuinuane Kilimo Group in the bean demonstration plot in Missenyi District in Kagera region, Tanzania. During the last year, the Tuinuane Kilimo group has undergone further training through the INFAS project in the production of compost manure, bean farming, banana farming and cassava farming. As a result of the training, the group has successfully produced compost, which they have been using in their farms to improve soil fertility. With the good agronomic expertise they have acquired, they have successfully established beans, banana and cassava in their farms and have increased productivity per unit area and improved on their household nutritional status. They have also been able to educate other surrounding communities. This bean project in particular has given the group a new impetus, leading to membership growth. The group also purchased land on which they plan to construct a storage facility for bean seed and other agricultural products. They have also opened a bank account and leased a three-acre piece of land where they want to undertake bean seed production. Not everything has been rosy. The group has not been successful in accessing land to farm as a group. Apart from limited access to capital, the group has also suffered the consequences of drought, experienced in two consecutive seasons. The group also lacks modern agricultural tools. It is, however, encouraging that the group is seeking solutions to the challenges they face. For example, the group has approached the Byamutemba local Food, Nutritional Security and Sustainable Livelihoods of Smallholders Program 21

7 Mr. Tarasisi Pastory and Wangari Kiragu of Africa Harvest discuss bean seed multiplication principles in Tarasisi s Uyole Njano bean variety multiplication farm in Byamutemba Village, Ngenge Ward, Missenyi District in Kagera Region in Tanzania government to give them at least half an acre of land. They are also exploring the possibility of securing loans from credit institutions such as the Youth and Women Fund in Missenyi District Council. The group s vision is to have access to water pumping machines or a well that will ensure the drip irrigation farming system mitigates the shortage of rain. They also plan to acquire a tractor that will help them fast-track land preparation and also generate some cashflow when it is hired out to other farmers. One of the positive outcomes of the group s interaction with the INFAS project is that one of the group members, Mr. Pastory Tarasisi, the group secretary, has become a successful bean seed multiplier. Pastory is a 30-year old trained mechanic. After working for a number of years, he went back home to help his parents with farming. He settled down, got married and is a father of four children. After receiving the training on bean seed production, Pastory decided to focus his farming activities on seed multiplication. He started by establishing a one-acre seed production unit of the Uyole Njano bean variety. He planted 32kg of foundation seed. Although the weather turned for the worse and drought set in earlier than expected, Pastory was able to harvest 300kg of seed. He then graded it and was left with 250kg of clean seed; the 50kg of not-so-good seed that remained after grading, he consumed as grain in his household. He kept aside 100 kg to plant in the coming season and sold 150 kg to other farmers. He sold 90 kg during the Nane Nane Agricultural Shows, while the rest (60 kg), he sold to ARI Maruku who needed the seed for farmers in other regions. His initial investment of about TZS 90,000 yielded TZS 300,000 in gross earnings, which translated to about TZS 210,000 net profit. 22 Africa Harvest Annual Report 2016

8 Pastory realized seed production is profitable business and has now put one and a half acres under seed production and leased another 2 acres. In future, he hopes to increase the seed production acreage by leasing more land. How nutritious beans changed the life of a Tanzanian farmer In early 2016, Mr. Frederick Kitone, made a total of TZS 1,295,000 from his farm in Nyabihanga Village, Kassambya Ward in Missenyi District, Kagera Region. Of that amount, about 6% came from beans, to which he had allocated one acre of land. The rest of the income was from maize, banana and cassava. During the second season of that year, beans brought him TZS 1,121,500, almost the whole of his income for the previous year. As one would expect, Mr. Kitone has doubled the acreage under beans. of his group, Jitihada (loosely translated as those who put in effort or are hardworking ). For the first season (January to April 2016), Mr. Kitone planted one acre of a bean seed multiplication plot using Njano Uyole as a basic seed. He harvested 490kg before sorting and 421 kg after sorting. After harvest, he sold 421 kg of certified seeds for TZS 2,500 per kg, earning a total of TZS 1,052,50. The remaining 69 kg were sold for piggery feed and earned TZS 69,000. An Extension Officer from the Lushoto District Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Cooperatives Office (DAICO) walks through Mr. Kitone s farm. Kitone s success can be attributed to the pure strand of improved variety of beans and good agronomy. This story captures the impact of the INFAS project, which was launched in Tanzania in Mr. Kitone was one of the early adopters; he started bean seed multiplication and bean demonstration plots as part Training on post-harvest management and processing helped reduce post-harvest losses. Mr Kitone s son (left) explains the storage process to visiting researchers, DAICO office and site facilitators. For having well-stored, processed and packed crops (beans, bananas and OFSP) Mr. Kitone was selected by the District Council to attend the Farmer Exhibition show (Nane Nane) in Food, Nutritional Security and Sustainable Livelihoods of Smallholders Program 23

9 24 Africa Harvest Annual Report 2016 Mr Kitone showing different products at Kyakailabwa in Bukoba Municipal during exhibition (left); preparing different bean recipes (middle); and (below) Mr and Mrs Kitone demonstrate preparation of different sorghum dishes and displaying different processed products.