Photo report on the Africa RISING Field Monitoring event in Tanzania

1. Photo report on the Africa RISING Field Monitoring event in Tanzania 18th - 31st March 2019

2. Background The Africa RISING Field Monitoring event was held in Tanzania from the 18th -31st March 2019. The exercise that was conducted by the Africa RISING project Manager Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon accompanied by a representative from the project steering committee Mr. Felix Chipojola, ESA Chief Scientist Prof. Bekunda Mateete and project core staff members targeted areas where Africa RISING is implementing activities in Tanzania. The aim of the visit was to understand the implementation status of the project’s research agenda through monitoring and identifying challenges. The visit also provided an opportunity for the team to interact with small holder farmers and practically learn and engage in practical discussions. This photo report captures some highlights of the 13 days event .

3. Africa RISING Program farmer interaction exercise in Mbeya region. The event brought together senior scientists and researchers working on various research activities in Tanzania

4. Africa RISING team meets partners and local government representatives in various sites before undertaking the monitoring exercise

6. Senior Scientist Job Kihara explains a point to Africa RISING project manager Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon, on progress made on testing different climate smart technologies in Babati region. The research seeks to establish smart agricultural technologies and crop varieties that can be adopted by farmers in the region. Looking on is project Chief Scientist Mateete Bekunda (with hat), project economist Julius Manda ( red t-shirt) and Africa RISING steering committee member Mr. Felix

7. Sophia Hussein, a farmer beneficiary and owner of one of the demonstration plots being used by Africa RISING project to test the different agricultural technologies in Galopo region displays a visitor’s book that every visitor to her farm must sign before leaving. She says the tests have benefited her a great deal through direct involvement. She has benefited from lessons on how to improve legume productivity.

8. Africa RISING team talk to a farmer Azinaeli Christina Gwatema on her experience using PICs bags as opposed to conventional bags for post-harvest grain storage. Africa RISING has introduced hermetic grain storage technologies to small holder farmers in Tanzania. Tests have confirmed that the bags are effective in reducing post-harvest grain losses. PICS are profitable and hence worth investing in. The net-benefit of PICS for an average maize producer is Tshs 3,727 (USD 1.7) per bag per storage season which is equivalent to Tshs 67,087  (USD 30.7) per household per season

9. Field visits to project sites The project, also working with Kilimo endelevu –a local partner organization, in scaling up adoption of technologies has also introduced the metal silos as part of the efforts to reduce post-harvest grain losses. A big percentage of harvest is lost post-harvest because of rot, rodent and insect damage. The metal silos will enable small holder farmers and traders to safely store larger quantities of maize and maintain grain quality

10. Africa RISING and Kilimo endelevu teams pose for a photo with the Endelevu farming group in Karatu district. .

11. Africa RISING senior researcher Cristopher Mutungi shows the monitoring team how a newly developed low cost mechanized multi crop processor works at Changarawe village in Karatu district. Africa RISING is looking at the performance of various machines for purposes of adding value in the ongoing post-harvest trials. In the previous years, the project has identified and validated small diesel engine ( 4 hp)maize sheller under small holder and community arrangements.

12. A service provider Michael Lohay demonstrates how the new multi crop processor works. • The multi-processor unlike the previous machines can perform additional tasks in a manner that integrates two or more post-harvest operations, characteristic of the local farming system. These improvements have the potential to reduce idling life, reduce net investment cost and increase productivity. Stop 3: Linthipe EPA, Dedza District

13. Changarawe village residents in Karatu district look at chicken feed flour and crop residues shelled by the multi-processor machine to be used as animal feeds. • Activity: Reducing crop-livestock conflict and increasing goat productivity through improved housing and husbandry.

14. Africa RISING project manager Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon seeks a point from NAFAKA on some of the improved maize varieties in Iringa district.

15. One of the farms cultivating Quality Declared Bean seeds (QDS) in Mbarali district The demand for quality declared bean seeds in Mbarali district has increased in the recent past due to sensitization work done by village extension officers.

16. Senior Scientist Dr. Justus Ochieng takes the monitoring team through the process of establishing healthy vegetable seedlings through use of organic manure.The project in Karatu district is supported by Africa RISING and implemented by the World Vegetable Centre .Framers are opting for naturally made manure as opposed to industrially made to improve household nutrition.

17. Pius Lubendi has been trained on vegetable production by using organic manure

18. Produced by Africa RISING Program Compiled by Bevin Bhoke Photo credits: Bevin Bhoke

19. Thank You