We’re excited to share the key findings from the pre-survey conducted for the project “Empowering Women Smallholder Farmers in Usambara Mountains, Tanzania Through Climate-Smart Agriculture and Carbon Sequestration.” Funded by the High Commission of Canada in Tanzania, this initiative aims to help women farmers build resilient agricultural systems through sustainable farming techniques.
The project will introduce Elephant Grass and Greenleaf Desmodium to restore soil health, prevent erosion, and improve yields. We surveyed 100 smallholder farmers across four villages in the Usambara Mountains to better understand their current practices and challenges.
Key Findings:
- 70% of farmers have reported significant yield declines due to soil degradation.
- 60% struggle with pest infestations, especially Crop Wilting (Gojo) and aphid attacks.
- Only 15% of farmers currently use soil conservation techniques like Elephant Grass.
- Farmers expressed strong interest (75%) in adopting climate-smart practices such as push-pull intercropping and regenerative agriculture.
Next Steps:
The project will set up five demonstration plots by July 2024, followed by training 160 women farmers in sustainable farming practices. These interventions aim to not only improve soil health but also empower women farmers to lead climate-resilient agricultural systems.
For a detailed breakdown of the pre-survey findings and the project’s future plans, read the full report here.
We’ll be sharing more updates as the project progresses! Stay tuned for the impact this initiative will have on the farming communities in the Usambara Mountains. 🌿
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