cases from tanzania - Sustainet

CHEMA: Organic farming in Karagwe District
Quality control Processed food and high-quality produce need a good quality control.
Such a thing does not exist in Africa’s traditional farm trading systems. In Karagwe District
it is still common for farmers to market their own products individually in the local markets.
Each farmer must pay for transport and find time to bring the produce to town and sell it.
The longer the distance between the producer and the buyer, the more sophisticated the value
chain becomes, and the more important is the establishment of a quality-control system.
The example of Matunda Mema shows that farmers who used to sell their products locally
market can become part of a longer value chain – one that is far more complex and demanding
than anything they were used to. The new quality controls were established through the
external certification and the inspection system. Support systems were also needed to ensure
a consistently high-quality product: CHEMA’s initial training, and the Matunda Mema field
officers’ extension services. The processing manager ensures that only pineapples from certified
farms which meet the standards are processed.
Recently, however, Matunda Mema has observed a fall in fruit quality. This was attributed to
CHEMA’s exit from the area. Matunda Mema is now finding ways to re-establish the product
quality and training.
This example shows that the transition from traditional farming into a modern value chain
requires continuous training and supervision of farmers. This must be provided somehow:
by the government, the private sector or NGOs, perhaps with financial contributions from
the farmers who benefit.
Risk of a single buyer The example of Matunda Mema shows that contract farming in
combination with the export of certified organic products opens new opportunities and
significant financial benefits for contracted farmers. But it brings the risk of dependence on
a single buyer: farmers would be hit severely if anything unexpected happens to this buyer or
market connection. Farmers should therefore diversify their market channels if they can.
Shortage of trainers Western Tanzania has a shortage of people in government agricultural
offices, NGOs and community organizations who can train others as trainers in sustainable
and organic agriculture. Such skills are neglected at universities and in the training of extension
officers. CHEMA is one of the few organizations that provides training in sustainable and
organic agriculture in western Tanzania (this training is financially supported by Misereor).
challenges in adopting organic farming
Labour intensity Organic farming is more labour-intensive than conventional agriculture.
Making compost, digging trenches and contour bunds, and other measures to conserve the
soil and maintain its fertility: all this takes a lot of work. If labour is in short supply – as
in families affected by HIV/AIDS – it is hard to convince people to put in the extra work
needed, even if they stand to benefit greatly from it.
Conflicts between management types In Karagwe District, many farmers graze their
livestock on communal land. They set bush fires, especially during the dry season, to encourage
new grasses and herbs to grow for their animals to eat. Hunters and farmers who want
to cultivate a new area also set fires. That means problems for organic farmers who cut the
grass to use as mulch.
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