Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Concern Worldwide

Contractor:
Concern Worldwide

Project Code: 063-680-026	Start Date: 01/04/1992	End Date: 31/03/1997
Commitment: £128,956	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
Ismani Division lies in the northern part of Iringa District, Iringa Region, Tanzania. CONCERN has been working the Division since 1983, and in horticulture production since 1987. Ismani Intensive Horticultural Programme, which was co-financed by the EC and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, had as its objectives the establishment of the practice of growing fruit and vegetables in family gardens in order to improve nutritional and health standards in the area.

The living standard of Ismani residents is below the national average as oberved through commonly used indicators. Average annual per capita gross farm output is presently estimated at about Tshs.20,150. The life expectancy was estimated in 1986 as being 45 years.

The consumption of horticultural produce in Ismani Division is very low, and very few people have adequate quantities of vegetables on a regular basis. Traditionally leaves of cowpeas, pumpkins and various local plants are picked during the wet season and used as a vegetable supplement to the staple diet of ugali (maize porridge). During the prolonged dry season (May to December) very few green vegetables are consumed.

Tomatoes are grown in a few villages along the main road which traverses the division. Again these are produced only in the wet season, the main harvest being in March/April when prices are at their lowest. The problems at the moment include inappropriate spacing, disease, soil erosion, and degradation.

There are some fruit trees in Malengamakali and Izazi Wards (a total of 8 villages|). In the other wards a minority of households would have only a few trees surrounding their house.

At household level food security varies depending on the amount of land under crops, the family size, the level of technology used, and the amount of rainfall. Families cultivating 1.2ha of crops, using traditional farming techniques, do not produce enough maize to meet their annual domestic requirement. Farmers in the area report significantly lower yields of maize today compared to the late 1960s. Much of the Division is characterised by large fields under continuous cultivation. Fields are planted without due regard to the slope and large areas of land have been degraded, making them unfit for cultivation.

Rainfall is low (<600mm) and poorly distributed (Dec-March). Evapo-transpiration exceeds rainfall for ten months of the year. The Potential for rainfed horticulture is, therefore, limited. There are no perennial rivers in the north of the Division and only the three villages which border on Mtera Dam have a reliable supply of irrigation water. Standard water conservation techniques (eg mulching) are not practiced in the area.

Project Objectives:
The wider objectives are to: Increase the production of fruit and vegetables by the targetted families in the villages, especially during the dry season, and thus to improve the nutritional status of the local diet. To increase the knowledge of horticulture husbandry techniques among school pupils, and thus ensure sustainable horticulture production in the longer term. The immediate objectives are: The establishment of small kitchen gardens at household level, utilising waste household water. The planting of fruit trees around the houses. The establishment of horticulture units at primary schools, including vegetable and fruit production.

Intended Outputs:
To achieve the stated objectives, the following outputs are required:- 150 small kitchen gardens annually (750 over a five year period). 20 school horticulture units, which include vegetable plots and small orchards (40 trees). Trained farmers All contact farmers receive training in-field . In addition, twelve farmers annually, participate in a four week residential course at a local horticulture institute. This will ensure that a core of well trained farmers will be in place in the project villages. Moisture conservation is emphasised throughout. Trained teachers One teacher per school and four Education Ward Secretaries attend short seminars in the project area. A well motivated, effective extension team Project supervisors receive management training. Extension and nursery workers attend a one week field study tour combined with a visit to the leading horticulture college in the country. Their effectiveness is increased by the supply of transport and other essential inputs. 16,000 fruit trees seedlings annually. These are produced at three sites: Mkungugu, Kibaoni and Migoli. Seedlings grown include orange, lemon, mango, coconut, passion fruit, pawpaw and guava. Other species may be introduced depending on suitability and demand. In all cases the relative number of each species produced depends on the expressed demand of the target group. A vegetable seed unit. Vegetable seed in produced at Mkungugu nursery. Seed includes that of onion, tomato, amaranthus, and chinese cabbage. A total of approx 6kg is produced, the exact quantities of each is depends on demand.