The experience of Small Farmer Group (SFG) organisations in promoting agricultural extension in Tanzania

This paper is based on experience of a study that was undertaken to strengthen farmers\' access to information, inputs and markets in Tanzania through small farmer group (SFG) organisations. The population of this study consisted of all forms of SFG organisations in Morogoro region of Tanzania. Data were collected through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools, focus group discussions (FGDs), structured interviews, informal discussions, and observations; and were analysed using \"content analysis\" technique and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Computer Programme. Poor leadership and lack of constitution were found to be some of the key factors that contributed to the problems of corruption, mismanagement, conflict and lack of clear goals in small farmer groups (SFGs). The study recommended modification of group leadership; development of location specific constitution; planning and implementation of SFG micro-projects and formation of self-managed SFGs and small farmer group associations (SFGAs) as new forms of organisations. Based on action research, implications on how to promote agricultural extension, and thus reduce rural poverty, through SFG organisations are provided. Keywords: Small farmer group, group leadership, micro-projects, organisations.South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 36 (1) 2007: pp. 39-5

Conservation agriculture and sustainable crop intensification in Karatu District,Tanzania

Metadata only recordThe report/case study discusses the importance of agriculture in the Karatu district, the loss of agricultural productivity from soil and land degradation, how climate change jeopardizes small farmers in the district, and how conservation agriculture (CA) could significantly address problems of agricultural productivity. The study/intervention was focused on five villages in the Karatu district and was intended to strengthen the livelihood and food security of small farmers through protection of ecosystem services that would allow for sustainable crop production intensification. These CA practices and services were implemented through outreach, education and training with small Tanzanian farmers. Involved stakeholders were farmers, government actors, intentional institutions, and non-governmental organizations. As conservation agriculture practices were adopted, scientists examined fluctuations in how farmers generating income and the various concerns that ensued. Critical factors that enable successful intervention were outlined as the following: strong interaction between all stakeholders, problem analysis by local farmers, involvement of facilitators skilled in CA practices, and initial provision of resources needed to implement CA. Factors that discouraged implementation of CA practices were lack of needed resources; lack of CA experts, training, and policy; and lack of involvement of stakeholders. Authors of the report suggested that the district should have an explicit, national policy approach to conservation agriculture; collaboration should be strengthened to align goals and implementation efforts; various approaches to CA should be utilized to maximize participation in CA; resources needed to implement CA s should be reasonably priced and accessible to local farmers. The report concludes that CA efforts should be expanded through stronger linkages with extension officers and national governmental agencies. Also, food processing strategies could be utilized to add value to the increased production gains from CA