Over 600 farmers benefit from VACS project

MANYARA: OVER 600 smallholder pulse farmers in Northern and Central Tanzania have benefited from the Vision for Adaptive Crops and Soils (VACS) project, which aims to boost productivity and resilience.

VACS, implemented by the Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AMDT) and funded by the USAID Feed the Future initiative, operates in Manyara, Arusha, Dodoma, and Kilimanjaro regions.

Speaking in Babati, Manyara, AMDT Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer, Mr Delta Shila reported that between June and September this year, the project directly reached 600 farmers growing mung bean, cowpea and pigeon pea.

“The VACS project focuses on improving agricultural productivity and nutrition by promoting diverse, climate-resilient crops and healthy soil management. The goal is to build awareness through demo plots, field days, and strengthen farmer-to-off-taker links,” Shila explained.

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In partnership with BEULA Seed Company Limited, VACS prioritises orphan crops, such as mung beans, cowpea and pigeon pea. Mr Shila encouraged farmers to adopt high-quality seeds and embrace drip irrigation to counter climate challenges and increase yield.

One of the beneficiaries, Dodoo Matambo, a 60-year-old lead farmer from Gedemar village, shared his success story, saying after receiving training on drip irrigation, he can now farm three to four times a year, without relying on rain-fed agriculture. BEULA Seed Company’s Managing Director, Mr Zabron Mbwaga,

confirmed their commitment to supporting under-utilised crops, noting that they aim to reach 800 farmers by December 2024 through the VACS project.