Our Work

TANZANIA - Dodoma Food Security - 3rd Phase

Country:  Tanzania - United Republic Of
Project Title:  Dodoma Food Security
Project Number:  1509

THE NEED:
The program area faces chronic shortages of food and thus perpetually depends on relief food aid. Many rural people have by now developed a dependency syndrome and are not motivated to plan ahead.

The situation of food insecurity is linked with degraded land, whose soil fertility is low and deficient of organic matter, with shallow soil depths and reduced/poor water infiltration capacity. This has resulted into low yields per unit area of the staples namely sorghum and millet.

The main problem this program wishes to address is to change the mind set of the people. In recent years, there have been changes in eating habits which have led to preference for maize which does not perform in the program area. The habit and tradition of eating millet and sorghum as staples has been seriously reduced, whereas these are the crops most suitable for the semi-arid environment in the program area.

The DSC, in collaboration with the government and in partnership with other development partners, is seeking to contribute towards realization of the Millennium Development Goads (MDGs) of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and to ensure environmental sustainability.

There have been only minimal efforts by the government and other organizations geared towards sustainable household food security.  They have opted instead for food aid as a temporary response to food shortages.  This strategy is not sustainable as it builds up chronic dependency.

WRC's RESPONSE:
Start Date: October, 2007   Project End Date: December, 2010
The objective of this three year project is to achieve household food security in Dodoma region through sustainable agricultural practices that address environmental degradation.   This is the last year of a 3-year program.  The specific objectives are:

1)  Increase sustainable production of non-maize crops (e.g. sorghum, cassava, millet and pulses) by 50% in the project areas by 2010.
2)  Increase the number of months that homegrown grain is available for consumption/sale by 3 months (January, February, March) with increase in food diversity by 2011
3)  Introduction of dairy goats to 10% of 'needy' households by 2010 (average out of all households targeted by the project)

Expected Outputs:
1. 1,350 farmers to be trained in crop production; 113 acres of sorghum and millet and 113 acres of cassava seed farms planted; 56,500 kg sorghum and millet seeds produced; 300 farmers trained in nursery, tree planting and management of trees.
2. 1,350 farmers to be trained in processing, utilization and consumption of sorghum, cassava and legumes; 6 cassava chippers for demonstration purchased; 15 farmer groups (each with 25 families) in establishment and proper grain store management; airtight grain storage bags made available, promoted and used in 15 villages; 15,000 kg crops stored in each of the 15 villages.
3. 800 beneficiaries to be trained in dairy goat management; 350 dairy goats purchased and distributed to farmers; 10m of fodder hedges established by being planted and/or protected; increased access to livestock drugs from nearby sources; 225 local attendants of dairy goats trained.
4. Ensure that 25 resource poor farm families in each of the 20 village communities have grain available in the improved group stores by the next harvest.
5. Assist 200 resource poor farm families to adopt substantial tree planting on their farms leading towards changes in the farm micro-climate.
6. 1000 new families producing goat milk by 2010.
7. 30% of resource poor farm families in 20 village communities doubling their poultry production through cross breeding, improved poultry health and management practices by 2010.

Recent Successes:
Partner Date of Last Report:  September 2011
March 2011 to September 2011
1.  22 farmers taken for study visits; 33 farmers assisted to participate in exhibitions;
2.  360 farmers trained on post-harvest and storage; 96 farmers trained on grain store management;
3. 62 dairy goats purchased and distributed; 240 new beneficiaries trained in dairy goat management; 18 groups committees trained on pass on the gift system; 120 mls livestock drugs distributed; 159 dairy goat attendants selected and trained.

Actual Outcome (cumulative):

55% of households have access to utilization of dishes/meals made from sorghum, millet, and cassava; 38% of households have access to using local structures;

3 (in former area), 1 (in new area); increased access to improved dairy goat breeds;

248 farmers trained on fuel saving stoves.

Beneficiary Story:

Top

Photo Gallery