ISHS Acta Horticulturae 524: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 14: Horticultural Economics at Micro and Macro Level, International Trade and Marketing, International Cooperative Programs, Relations between Research, Development, Extension and Education
DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT WITH SMALL HOLDER VEGETABLE PRODUCERS IN ZANZIBAR (TANZANIA) |
| Author: | A.A. Laurense |
| Keywords: | Integrated Pest Managemnent, IPM, ICM, Africa, Tanzania, Small holder, Organic farming, Farmer Field School, Vegetables, Extension methodology |
| Abstract:
Due to the booming tourist industry on Zanzibar there is an increasing demand for ‘European’ vegetables and thus for local production. A number of small scale farmers in the suburbs of Zanzibar town started with vegetable production. However, their knowledge on the production and pest control is very limited. After consultation of the Ministry of Agriculture and at the request of ‘commercial’ small scale vegetable farmers a group of 18 farmers was established to received training and technical assistance on a regular base. In a Participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal and a semi-structured group interview problems and training needs were identified. In the first year farmers received classroom training on many aspects of vegetable production and organic farming, including post harvest and marketing. Some farmers were also involved in on-farm trials on crop diversification, crop husbandry and pest control. A second Participatory Rural Appraisal was held to get more information on the participating farmers and to improve the functioining of the group. In the second year a communal plot was established in which bi-weekly meetings were held and trials were executed. However, the communal maitenance of the plot appeared to be a problem. Participating and non-participating farmers were interviewed to evaluate the impact of the training. In the third year the Farmer Field School approach was followed. The group met weekly on their ‘school’ plot which was owned and maintained by two of the participants, who also obtained the harvest. The plot was used as training site, for demonstration purposes and for Participatory Action Research. The success of the training was attributed to the interest of the farmers in the topics covered (which they proposed themselves) and the set-up of working with farmer-owned school-fields on a weekly basis. A high impact did have the training on organic farming. Most farmers incorporated elements of organic farming in their cultivation as the production of most compost, the use of supported nurseries, mulching and the application of neem extract. The approach also strengthened the group spirit and cooperation. | |
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