Where We Work : Tanzania : Agriculture & Food Security

In Tanzania, agriculture leads the economy, accounting for more than 40% of GDP, 85% of exports and providing livelihoods for 80% of the people. Yet, with drought and mountainous terrain limiting cultivated crops to only 4% of land area, there are high levels of food shortages. In 2007, BRAC launched its agriculture and livestock programme in Tanzania to begin addressing the problems of poor crop and livestock productivity. Our goal is to increase production by at least 30% within five years by expanding irrigation and ensuring the supply of agricultural inputs, such as quality seeds, fertiliser and pesticides.

Programme Description

BRAC’s agriculture and livestock programme addresses the problem of poor crop and livestock productivity in Tanzania. Crops grown for domestic consumption include bananas, cassava, fruits, maize, rice, vegetables, roots and tubers - as well as other traditional varieties such as a plantain, sweet potato, millet, sorghum, beans and ground nuts. Tanzanian agriculture remains heavily dependent on rainfall, with less than 1% of arable land under irrigation. Small holder farms account for 99% of all cattle - mainly the Ankole Longhorn breed – and nearly 100% of all sheep, goats and poultry.

Our aim is to improve the efficiency and management of small to medium farm enterprises. The programme is designed to increase agricultural output, decrease livestock mortality, raise farm income and increase rural employment.

Specialist Programme Officers

Both components of the programme are implemented at the branch level through dedicated Programme Organisers who have completed a four year diploma from a recognised government institute in their respective field. After recruitment as BRAC staff, they receive extensive training from specialists at BRAC and the government on topics such as livestock and poultry rearing, improved farming practices, high-yield seed varieties and programme operation strategies. The Programme Organiser’s role is to train and supervise the Model Farmers/Agricultural Extension Agents and the Livestock Volunteers who are at the core of the programme.

Model Farmers/Agricultural Extension Agents

The primary outreach agents for the agriculture activities are the self-employed Model Farmers/Agricultural Workers. They specialise in crop production and promote good farming practices to others in their communities by turning their own small farms into demonstration model farms. They are required to have a minimum of two years agricultural experience and farm at least two acres of land. They must be willing to work with other low income farmers in their community and supply them with quality inputs. Initially, the Agricultural Extension Agents receive one week intensive training on crop production technology. Later, they receive one-day refresher training each month. The Model Farmers/Agricultural Extension Agents are trained by
BRAC's Programme Organisers to offer technical assistance to various types of farmers:

• General Farmers - These are farmers who operate on a small scale, less than one acre of land and do not have to be BRAC members. These General Farmers are provided technical knowledge by the Agricultural Extension Agents and Programme Organisers through farmers’ meetings and also receive input supplies from the Extension Agents.
• Horticulture Nurserers - These are farmers trained in how to set up a nursery and sell seedlings, such as ornamental plants, fruit trees and flowers.
• Vegetable and Kitchen Farmers - Kitchen farmers use very small pieces of land, or no land at all, farming from a bucket or sack. Vegetable Farmers operate on one acre of land.

BRAC agriculture branch staff attends microfinance group meetings to identify Model Farmers/Agricultural Workers from among the members. The local BRAC branch is responsible for screening and short-listing candidates while the final selection is done by the area coordinators.

The Model Farmers/Agricultural Workers are then provided training for six days at the branch office. This covers farming techniques for specific crop varieties, focusing on the entire life cycle of the crop, starting from preparation of the land to harvesting. When their training is complete, the Agricultural Workers start identifying the small farmers living in their communities with the support of the branch staff. They assist the farmers on technical issues such as choice of varieties, improved seeds, crop spacing, rotation, intercropping, weeding, planting, fertilisation, pest control, post harvest management and utilisation of by-products, as well as integration of crop and livestock enterprises within the farm. They also sell improved seeds and other agricultural inputs.

Poultry and Livestock Volunteers

The livestock and poultry component also operates outreach activities through self-employed volunteers. These are women farmers with experience rearing livestock and poultry who are selected from BRAC microfinance groups. After selection, they receive extensive training in livestock husbandry, health issues and vaccinations. Training also includes the production and conservation of fodder crops. Once trained, they generate income by charging fees for their services. With help from BRAC, they offer vaccination services, sell veterinary medicines and provide technical assistance to other microfinance group members and the wider farming community. They select and assist the following types of livestock and poultry farmers:

Model Poultry Farmers: These are farmers with more than 50 birds. They receive five days of training on rearing and management of day-old chicks and layer hens to help improve their poultry farming yields. They are also trained in how to regularly vaccinate their birds and receive advisory services from the Poultry and Livestock Volunteers. Each BRAC branch will select and train approximately 70 Model Poultry Farmers. The farmers will earn a minimum of 80,000 shillings (USD62) by selling eggs and chickens each month.

Broiler Rearers: These farmers receive five days of field-based training on broiler rearing, management and marketing. At least 20 broiler rearers are trained for each participating BRAC branch. The broiler rearer will receive 50 or more broiler chickens per batch and after six weeks, they sell the birds to the market. BRAC Area Livestock Coordinators and Programme Organisers ensure the supply of broiler chicks from commercial parent-stock poultry farms. The broiler rearer will earn a minimum of 50,000 shillings (USD
39) per batch of chicks.

Artificial Insemination (AI) Workers: The AI Worker receives a one-month training, sponsored by BRAC, from reputable institutes such as the National Artificial Insemination Centre (NAIC) in Arusha. After training, BRAC provides the equipment for starting up insemination activity. The AI programme is promoted through posters and leaflets while Programme Organisers hold meetings with cattle owners to discuss artificial insemination issues. The monthly minimum income target for each AI Worker is USD 39 while the monthly insemination target is at least 10 during their first two years.

Model Cow Rearers: These farmers have two to three dairy cows. They receive five days training on cow rearing and management to increase production and income. Each BRAC branch will select and train approximately 100 Model Cow Rearers. BRAC microfinance group members have access to microloans for purchasing additional livestock. They have access to the Poultry and Livestock Volunteers who provide services such as deworming and vaccination of animals under the supervision of a qualified BRAC Programme Organiser.