Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Concern Worldwide

Contractor:
Concern Worldwide

Project Code: 063-680-028	Start Date: 01/04/1992	End Date: 31/03/1997
Commitment: £148,744	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
Malangali Division is located in southwest Mufindi District, Iringa Region, Tanzania. There are 23 villages in the Division which are divided into three wards - Idunda, Ihowanza and Nyololo. The population of the Division is 33,813 with 6,719 households in the three wards (Concern, 1989:82). The Division is part of the ancient and geologically much eroded Mufindi Plateau, a remnant of which are the gently undulating highlands to the east. The altitude, is between 1,600 and 1,800 metres. All the villages of Nyololo ward are on this plateau, as are two villages in Idunda Ward. The plateau is the watershed along which the old Great North Road and the Tanzam Highway are aligned (Concern, 1989:79). Concern's involvement in Malangali Division began in 1985, when an assessment of the need and potential for a land use project in one of the more deprived areas of Iringa region was made. This resulted in the design of a land use and education programme which was co-financed by the European Commission (Malangali Land Use and Education Programme). The programme had a number of components as outlined below: Forestry Horticulture Mufindi Education Trust (MET) School Agricultural Extension Other Activities and Development Education. The specific aims of the agriculture extension component were the improvement of crop yields through a planned and systematic approach to farming in the villages. Since the initiation of the Malangali Land Use and Education Programme, Concern has been involved in agricultural extension activities in the area. These have been very successful in raising the average maize yields of participating farmers - 100 per cent increases in yields have not been uncommon. Low external input systems have been promoted which are appropriate to the needs of subsistence farmers. This projects aims to extend the scope of the agricultural extension programme to all the villages in the Division and to enable an increasing number of farmers in the existing villages to participate. Food security in the Division will increase, and the potential for income generation will be realised among small farmers.

Project Objectives:
The wider objectives of the project are: To increase the yield of food crops per unit area, and improve the food security of the Division, and especially that of the poorest families To increase income generation from crop production for the poorest farmers. The immediate objectives are: To increase maize yields among contact farmers to a minimum of 2.0t per ha (drier areas) and 3.0t/ha (wetter areas) To promote appropriate soil and moisture conservation techniques To promote agro-forestry systems To identify and introduce appropriate cash crops To establish 'on-farm' demonstration plots at all the schools to act as a practical training aid for the students To adapt farming systems so that they are capable of increased sustained yields through appropriate soil conservation techniques.

Intended Outputs:
A well motivated and effective extension team: Management training is organised for Project supervisors. Extension workers participate in a field study trip and a residential course, both lasting one week. Extension workers produce monthly work plans. They attend regular joint meetings to report on implementation. The best workers are rewarded annually with a small prize. Their effectiveness is further increased by close supervision in the field and supply of transport and other essential inputs. 21 school farms demonstrate appropriate agronomic techniques: A small competition is organised annually between the participating schools. Trained teachers: One teacher from each school attend a series of one day seminars held locally. Construction of contour bunds: Each contact farmer construct bunds on at least 0.4ha of his/her land. (ie 138 ha annually). Increased production of cash crops: Contact farmers are encouraged to grow cash crops eg castor oil, groundnuts, and sunflower. Planting of trees: Contact farmers plant trees either as shelter belts or in agroforestry systems. 50,000 trees are planted annually in such systems. Intercropping of various crops: Farmers are encouraged to intercrop maize with suitable leguminous crops, such as cowpeas, groundnut or beans. Compost: Contact farmers make and use compost and thus improve soil fertility and structure. Organic matter is also increased by use of green manures, e.g. sunhemp. Improve pest control: The use of organic pesticides derived from local plants is promoted. Inorganic pesticides are normally unobtainable by poor farmers due to high prices or poor supply. Improved crop storage: Farmers are advised on grain crib design to minimise crop losses. Improved crop yields: with 345 farmers annually. Improved maize seed: Selected primary schools 'multiply-up' foundation seed, making improved seed available to farmers in the villages.