EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS (EM) TECHNOLOGY IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.) GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD IN MOROGORO TANZANIA

The field experiment was conducted at Tushikamane Centre Kilakala, Morogoro Tanzania to investigate the effect of EM technology on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, development and yield. Maize is a major cereal consumed; over 80% of population depends on maize for food in Tanzania. Low soil fertility, insect pests and diseases are among the primary constraints in maize production. This is due to continuous cultivation without fertilizing the soil, poor and lack of proper measures to control pest and diseases. Most farmers in both rural and urban areas of Tanzania are not aware with the use of organic fertilizers especially the EM (Effective Microorganism) technology in agriculture to increase crop yield without the use of agricultural chemicals or artificial fertilizers, the method of farming is inexpensive, capable of producing high-quality products, high yield produces and preserving the environment. Therefore, this research work mainly aimed at studying the efficiency of EM technology on maize (Zea mays L.) crop performance in the field. Five treatments comprising of EM technology EM-Bokashi, Bokashi and EM-A, EM-FPE and EM-5, combination of Bokashi, EM-A, EMFPE and EM5, and absolute control were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Bokashi leaves (3.7%N) at 1851.9kg/ha, 200 mls of EMA mixed with water to make a 2L solution, EMFPE and EM5 were mixed with water at 200mls to get a 2L solution which was sprayed thrice a week scheduled for application. Three weeks were scheduled for application of EM. Application of EM-Bokashi produced an average yield of 3.06 tonha-1, EM-Bokashi and EM-A produced grain yield of 3.24 tonha-1, EMFPE and EM-5 produced 3.11 tonha-1 and, application of all EM-Bokashi, EM-A, EMFPE and EM-5 produced grain yield of 3.51 tonha-1, while absolute control produced 2.12 tonha-1. Application of EM improved maize crop yield

Ecological Organic Agriculture in Africa: Researches done from 2002 to 2012 on Ecological Organic Agriculture in Tanzania

A research was carried out to identify research works done from 2002 to 2012 on ecological organic agriculture in Tanzania. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. Ecological organic agriculture draws on agro-ecology that is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to design and manage ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions. There was a problem of identifying various researches done in organic agriculture, hence difficult to know the gap on research works related to ecological organic agriculture. Therefore, this work aimed at identifying research works done on ecological organic agriculture in Tanzania since 2002 by gender in different disciplines in agriculture. Methods used include: i) direct visit to the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives in the Directorate of Research and Development, Agriculture Research Institutes, Universities and None Governmental Organizations; ii) Internet or online searching. The abstracts and project reports collected were those related to ecological organic agriculture only. The abstracts collected were analysed basing on gender and research themes covered. 100 abstracts were collected, 81% of corresponding authors were male. About 43% were soil fertility research works while the least researches are in marketing and value addition only 2%. Some of research works were still in progress reports, not yet published, conventional based (not organic agriculture). Researchers should be communicating their findings to many stakeholders. Researchers to include the component of ecological organic agriculture in their research plans