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TANZANIA - Dodoma Food Security 2008

Country:  Tanzania - United Republic Of

Project Title:  Dodoma Food Security 2008

Project Number:  1509

THE NEED:

The program area faces chronic shortages of food and thus perpetually depends on relief food aid. Many rural people have by now developed a dependency syndrome and are not motivated to plan ahead.

The situation of food insecurity is linked with degraded land, whose soil fertility is low and deficient of organic matter, with shallow soil depths and reduced/poor water infiltration capacity. This has resulted into low yields per unit area of the staples namely sorghum and millet.

The main problem this program wishes to address is to change the mind set of the people. In recent years, there have been changes in eating habits which have led to preference for maize which does not perform in the program area. The habit and tradition of eating millet and sorghum as staples has been seriously reduced, whereas these are the crops most suitable for the semi-arid environment in the program area.

WRC's RESPONSE:

Start Date: November 2008   Project End Date: October 2010

The objective of this project is to achieve household food security in Dodoma region through sustainable agricultural practices that address environmental degradation.

The objectives are...

1. Assist 20 village communities to plant appropriate crop varieties to achieve self-sufficiency in seed production by 2010.

2. Assist 30% of resource poor farm families to achieve 50% increase in yield per area through more efficient use of soil fertility methods by 2010.

3. Assist 20% of resource poor farm families to prevent run off from their land by using appropriate soil and water conservation techniques by 2010.

4. Ensure that 25 resource poor farm families in each of the 20 village communities have grain available in the improved group stores by the next harvest.

5. Assist 200 resource poor farm families to adopt substantial tree planting on their farms leading towards changes in the farm micro-climate.

6. 1000 new families producing goat milk by 2010.

7. 30% of resource poor farm families in 20 village communities doubling their poultry production through cross breeding, improved poultry health and management practices by 2010.

RECENT SUCCESSES:

1.  Dairy Goats - The Hombolo ADP, where "Passing on the Gift" was introduced five years ago, continues to operate.  Goats are still being passed on.

2.  Fuel-saving Stoves - This is a technology that is meeting a felt need for households.  The stoves can be built out of local materials, and repair is easily done by the owners.  One community had over 400 such stoves in use.  It is continuing years after introduction, and with a reduced supply of firewood, should become increasingly popular.  In addition to saving on firewood, the stoves fitted with a chimney provide for a smoke free environment inside the huts.

3.  Seed production - The introduction of improved seeds in communities can have an effect for many years.  With reducing and Unpredictable rainfall, early maturing varieties are in great deman.

4.  Skills and knowledge - Generally skills and knowledge passed on re: goats, improved cropping methods, food processing and fuel efficient stoves stays in communities and lasts for many years.

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