Conservation agriculture Tanzania_casestudy.pdf - Sokoine ...

ecognition and enforcement of the bylaws controlling grazing, but with minimalsuccess. However, in 2006 the village government set priorities on environmentalissues and reduced free grazing. The animals have been moved to other areas withadequate grazing land.Currently the government is keen on conservation agriculture and has made it amajor concern. The agricultural policy of Tanzania discussed alleviating povertyand reducing hunger by 2025, using available resources in farming communities. In2006, the department of the Ministry of Agriculture that handles mechanizationgave a boost to disseminating conservation agriculture by supporting farmer fieldschools in 10 more districts and 10 oxen training centres. The ministry is supportingfarm supplies such as cover crop seed, fertilizer and rippers. The governmentopened a credit line for farmer groups to buy conservation agriculture implementsand trained village facilitators to promote conservation agriculture in the rest ofthe country. The government currently supports local laws prohibiting grazing onfarms after harvest, which was limiting conservation agriculture adoption.7 Conservation agriculture effectsAgronomics and environmentYieldAlthough conservation agriculture in the district is still at an early stage, farmersoften see yield increase in the second year. During the 2004 drought in Likamba,even though adequate cover was not attained, farmers who had ripped their landand planted lablab with maize were able to harvest at least 5–8 bags of maize peracre, while conventional farmers harvested nothing or less than a bag per acre.They showed conservation agriculture was able to ensure an adequate harvest evenin drought.Makundi’s success storyPastor Humphrey Makundi has one acre in his nearby farm. Normally he wouldharvest 6 bags of maize. He ripped with improved maize seeds intercropped withlablab. He also established contours that reduced runoff on his cattle pasture.He managed to harvest 10 bags that season [2004]. In the following seasonhe rented four more acres and harvested 10 bags of maize from each acre,totalling 50 bags in one season.The significant increase in maize yield, 60–70%, might have been from conservationagriculture and improved seeds. Ripping is done before the onset of rains. In mostcases, conventional farmers changing to conservation agriculture start with rippingtheir land, which is associated with increased yield. On the farmer field school trialplots water infiltration was visible. Reduced runoff was more evident in a ripped plotwith a lablab cover crop, even during irrigation. Crop vigour was good comparedwith that on conventional farms. An Arumeru Farmer Field School member said,‘Using a no-till direct planter saves on seed [one seed per hole], reduces waste, and30 Maguzu et al.