Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT)

An Overview Of Our Solution

Unsustainable farming practices threaten the biodiversity and watersheds of the Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania. With increasing pressure on resources like water and forests, villagers become under pressure to change their farming systems. SAT’s solution creates benefits for the families and for the downstream population. For protecting existing biodiversity and for increasing farm diversity SAT facilitates agroecological farming practices which have positive impact on farm productivity and watershed protection. Farmers who are adopting practices become certified with using a participatory guarantee system (PGS) and are linked to an organic market in town. Payments for carbon sequestration ensure reforestation. Provided knowhow and economic incentives empower the community to protect the ecosystem to farm in line with a PGS which is streamlined with local policies.

Who is this solution impacting?

Community Type

Rural

Organization type

Nonprofit

Ecosystem (select all that apply)

Deserts

Forests

Grasslands

Population impacted

75000 people

Size of agricultural area

12232 ha

Production quantity

Varies with crop, irrigation and rainfall

People employed

35 people

Describe your solution

SAT’s solution creates linkages between environmental protection and economic stability to raise awareness about biodiversity’s value for the agricultural sector. SAT uses a holistic approach which combines various modules such as agroecological farming methods, leadership training and financial management to build communities who become resilient, sustainable and as much as possible independent from external inputs. The solution works with a learning-by-doing approach by establishing Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in the villages. Farmers are already engaged during the project planning activities in a participatory way. This approach is built on solidarity and strengthens the community cohesion. Groups are empowered to act in their communities and trained to spread their agroecological knowledge among their neighbors (Farmer-to-Farmer approach F2F). The solution is designed in a unique way: Farmers who are adopting agroecological practices are, as reward, accompanied through the PGS certification process and hence get access to the organic market in town. Through sustainable farming practices, farmers improve soil health and productivity and increase yields of crops which lead to food security. With using these practices, they don’t depend on slash and burn practices anymore. The sustainable intensification allows farmers to use land as well for reforestation. Biodiversity protection of the reserve and increase of farm diversity are guaranteed.

Describe your implementation

SAT uses FFS approach to introduce terracing, composting, biological plant protection, establishment of tree nurseries, mulching, soil tests, cultivating of useful plants, intercropping and agroforestry establishment. Committees are formed and trained in leadership, facilitation, internal control and marketing. These are preliminary activities for PGS certification. Certified farmers are linked to organic markets like the SAT Organic Shop. These PGS groups are trained in facilitation methods, capable and engaged to facilitate other farmers (F2F). In return the early groups receive training in organic livestock keeping. Groups are invited to submit individual reforestation plans. Through using innovative monitoring system farmers are linked to carbon sequestration funds (Payment for Environmental Services PES) to receive support during the first 5 unproductive years. The PGS ensures the adoption of organic farming methods and protection of biodiversity. The organic market access is in this context the incentive for farmers. Other incentives for instance F2F implementation are given through specific trainings which are only provided by delivery of F2F results (using positive peer pressure). The PES is designed to encourage farmers in planting different tree species (indigenous, fruit, timber and nitrogen-fixing). Enabling conditions are motivated people who are willing to change and improve their livelihoods. The local policies are favorable for project implementation. The local government authorities are willing to collaborate. Key success factors are adequate staff, transparent implementation plan, involvement of community in project monitoring, creation of ownership, using appropriate incentives, focus on markets, dialog among up and downstream population. If the government tends to radical conservation options like relocation of the villagers, project implementation becomes difficult. Hence focus shall be on streaming existing policies into PGS scheme.

External connections

1.) Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) is advisor and partner for participatory research. 2.) Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM) is the custodian of the PGS Mark. 3.) Morogoro Urban Water and Sewage Authority (MORUWASA) and Ministry of Water are informed and consulted to find best strategies. 4.) Tanzania Forest Research Institute (TAFORI): Expert in reforestation and carbon sequestration. PGS has great potential to incorporate and streamline existing environmental policies into its internal control system. This approach clearly differentiates conventional from agroecological farmers and indicates what the latter provides for environmental benefits for the ecosystem. This model solution provides evidence to policy makers as a strong agroecological approach which is capable in managing the nexus between food, water and ecosystems and has hence relevance to all stakeholders who are involved in environmental issues. SAT manages a Farmer Training Centre where refined experiences are shared on national level through offering courses which also cover topics of other agricultural sectors like livestock and forestry for farmers, governmental extension officers and NGOs. SAT finances the agricultural project component through grants. PES is financed through a local company (Carbon Offset). Farmers are trained in saving and lending to reinvest in the project (increases empowerment). Income made at SAT organic shop is reinvested in marketing organic products.

What is the environmental or ecological challenge you are targeting with your solution?

The target area is a watershed in the northern slopes of the Uluguru Mountains, which is rich in biodiversity and home to at least 26 endemic plants and animals. More than 50 indigenous villages touching the forest boundary in this unique ecosystem, which is threatened by the impacts of unsustainable farming. A case study sees the highly-interrelated poverty and loss of biodiversity as major problems of the community. Food production is threatened through pests and diseases, loss of soil fertility and droughts. In addition, unsustainable farming methods result into deforestation, loss of biodiversity, erosion, burning and chemical use which negatively impact water quality and quantity. In recent years, villagers began to realize the connection between reduced rainfall with the ongoing deforestation in the mountains. Rationing of water has become a common practice by the water authority. The main water storage of Morogoro, an earth dam, is under threat to become filled with sediments.

Describe the context in which you are operating

Nine villages, with a total population of 4,893 people, are located in the watershed whereby 89% are subsistence farmers who hold not more than 2,5 ha of land. The education level is low since only 70% of the villagers have primary education level. The housing is simple; people live in mud houses which are usually self-constructed. Up to one third of the people live on less than US$ 2/day. These villages have a long tradition of farming in the steep slopes of the Uluguru mountains.
As competition for water increases (almost 70,000 people benefit from this particular watershed) and threats to the forest reserve intensifies, villagers are under pressure to change their farming systems under menace of expulsion. Due to lack of awareness of solutions the government decided in 2006 to relocate people who lived adjacent to the forest reserve. The conservation initiative was confronted with resistance from the villagers and the tensions with the government are still remaining.

How did you impact natural resource use and greenhouse gas emissions?

The methodologies used are FFS, F2F, PES and PGS certification. A research has shown that burning has been reduced by 95% in the mountains. Trees are thriving and the land able to host a greater variety of birds, plants and animals. By avoiding the use of chemicals, watersheds are protected and the exposure to environmental toxins is reduced to almost zero. 84% of trained farmers are incorporating manure or compost in their land. Soils, higher in organic matter and mulched crops increase productivity and is able retain more moisture, reducing demands on stressed water sources. Trained farmers reported a reduction of 59% in water consumption. Terraces retain topsoil and streams are protected from sedimentation. In total, 91% are using erosion control measures after completing the training. Soil biodiversity and microbial activity is improving, and farm biodiversity is protected through maximizing use of locally-available resources. Agroforestry is reducing dependence on the forest reserve.

Language(s)

Swahili, English

Water

Watershed protection is a paramount to benefits of SAT’s efforts in the mountains. Organic Farming has a large impact on both water quantity and quality. Water use is reduced as organic-rich soils infiltrate and retain more water. Erosion and excess run-off is reduced as terraces slow water flow, also increasing infiltration and crop water availability; sedimentation to streams is reduced. Inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicide residues are not carried into streams from organic farms.

Food Security/Nutrition

76% of SAT organic farmers report that they now have a more balanced diet, which has positive impact on family health. Especially the consumption of leafy green vegetables, fresh beans and fruits has increased. Integration of poultry or other animals into farms is a second phase of SAT farms and villagers have a small herd of cattle, which helps supply milk and manure. More than 60% of facilitated farmers reported an increase in farm production.

Economic/Sustainable Development

Farmers in Mlimani Ward are finding good markets for their cash crops of carrots, strawberries and other berries, bunch onions, fresh herbs and cardamom both in Morogoro and as far as Dar es Salaam. SAT has assisted its group with organic certification through using PGS which further improves marketability and pricing for their agricultural products. Up to 50% of formerly trained farmers reported having new market access. Saving and lending programs help to create small loans for investments.

Climate

Through agroforestry practices, farmers are planting trees, reducing dependence on adjacent forestlands that are under harvest pressure. Farmers are engaged in planting different tree species which have a high carbon sequestering rate. More than 6500 trees were prepared for transplantation in March/April 2017. Through applied agroecological practices, farmers no longer depend on slash and burn practices (95% reduction). Agroecological practices are climate resilient.

Sustainability

Funding is required for the agricultural part of the project implementation. The reforestation component is based on a market-based approach through providing carbon offsetting. After project end 95% of the farmers are continuing to cultivate organic products. A follow-up study indicated an average increase of 30% in income. Increased farm production and established fruit gardens improve food security. Group money earned through product sales remain in the group and are only reinvested for group development purposes.
SAT establishes a group saving and lending program where farmers buy shares to create small loans for investments mostly used for agricultural activities. They can be perceived as in-kind contribution from the beneficiaries.

Return on investment

The implementation costs per farmer as a 3-years project, inclusive overheads, are USD 116.-. With a monthly income of USD 80 (baseline) an average income increase of 30% results into an extra income of yearly USD 288 which in relation with the invested money indicates a 148% return on investment only in one year. The calculated returns are exclusive of the avoided agricultural externalities, which are assumed to be even higher. In such a calculation the benefits for the downstream population through watershed protection, the value of indigenous flora and fauna, and the contribution for climate change mitigation, should be as well included. Furthermore, the heterogenic approach of financing the project is a cost-efficient strategy.

Entrant Image

SAT_Small part of demonstartion garden in Morogoro Headquarter

How could we successfully replicate this solution elsewhere?

The solution was standardized in a training manual and has already been replicated by other organizations, who learned about the SAT approach. SAT has replicated this model to further 50 villages in 19 Wards in three Districts of the Morogoro Region involving 1500 farmers. A project which will engage further 1000 farmers has started in 2017. SAT has furthermore expanded its services to another region due to requests from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. SWISSAID is now emulating this methodology in the Masasi Region and has enlisted SAT as a partner to reach 5000 farmers from that region. This year SAT is also invited to Ethiopia to implement an agricultural project based on the SAT solution. The active farming communities are as well part of the solution for successful replication. Key partners are local authorities and a national custodian of the PGS Mark. The implementation cost per farmer is USD 116, all materials and overheads inclusive.

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Insights into SAT's work 2016

Overview