Interview to the Director general of PIVAC Tanzania about the benefits
Context:
Low maize yields are experienced in the northern highlands of Tanzania mainly due to lack of nutrients, especially N, P, and K. To get optimal yield, additional of nutrients through NPK fertilization is a must optional. TARI in collaboration with stakeholders (farmers and extension officers) is currently carrying out an on-farm trial to evaluate the effects of blended fertilizers (NPK) and provide recommendations for the appropriate dose of compound NPK fertilization to increase maize productivity in Arumeru District, Northern Tanzania.
“My name is Beatrice Arban Msafiri, I am acting director at PIVAC Tanzania, I would like to thank TARI Selian for introducing me to the farmers and also for giving me a processing knowledge. I attained processing training December last year, but I was decided to take action immediately after seeing the opportunities from the products that I learned, which are nutritious beans and maize. TARI Selian, after seeing my actions, they introduced me to the farmers who have already trained, so that the farmers can give me quality grains which in return, it could provide me with a quality product after processing, farmers here, at Kwa-Ugoro village have received a knowledge that would enable them to have a good income, to have good nutritious food, and to improve diet for their children, because we use good agricultural practises, we could have high yield from which at the day, I could have quality grains for processing. Also, as the training continues here at Kwaugoro-Village, I would like to request TARI Seliani should frequently continue to train the farmer here at Kwaugoro-Village, so that I can continue quality raw material for processing my products.”
Also, Deodatus Kiriba (Researcher from TARI-Selian) provided a general overview of what has been done, and what is expected to be done by the EWA-BELT PROJECT.
“My name is Deodatus Kiriba, agricultural researcher from TARI Selian which is found in Arusha region, also I am working under the department of Natural resource management (NRM) at TARI Selian center through our department, via EWA Belt project. We conduct various trials here in Arusha region, one of our trials is the testing of the performance of different fertilizers that are found in our environment, the selected fertilizer is NPK, which is part of our trial here at Kwaugoro village; Here, we need to test the performance of different types of NPK fertilizers in the demonstration plots at which we work with the farmers: we have sub-plots, at which we use different types and rates of fertilizers and at the end of the day we collect data, and, at the end of the season, we shall collect yield data, so that we can come out with a conclusion, about which type of fertilizer have good performance and at which rate. Also, apart from this trial, also we have another trial, which is performed to Mr Anderson field, that aims at testing the performance of organic fertilizers like manure. Also, we have another trial at Monduli DC in Arusha, that aims at evaluating the performance of organic fertilizers, so at the end of the trials, after accomplishing the work with the farmers, we shall have correct data, that will enable us to advice then on how they can increase their production, firstly by the proper and correct use of industrial-fertilizers, and secondly by the use of organic fertilizer like manure.
Next step ahead proposed by researcher Deodatus Kiriba:
“Also, we can see this school here, namely, Kwa-Ugoro Primary School that we plan to show the students and allow them to participate, because we believe that the students are future farmers. So how are the students going to be involved in learning through our trials? So this is another opportunity that shall be practiced to involve the students, eighter to participate or to organize training on how to convert organic dust into organic fertilizer, and at the end of the day to use the fertilizers to their established horticulture gardens, so we thank ahead the school and all of the students and the farmers for participating into our trials, and a unique recognition to TARI Selian administration and all the donors of the EWA-BELT Project, for enabling all to happen, because the main aim is to enable the farmer to have a productive agriculture, thank you. “