MARA: Farmers in Bunda District, Mara Region, have lauded the Kilimo Thabiti project for significantly enhancing their agricultural productivity through the introduction of cutting-edge technologies.
The project, which focuses on integrating precise weather information with good agricultural practices (GAPs) for cassava and maize farming, operates across Bunda District Council , Bunda Town Council (T, and Butiama District in the Mara Region.
A key feature of the initiative is the distribution of weather forecasts via short messages (SMS), enabling farmers to synchronize their activities with prevailing weather conditions.
During a recent visit by project partners from the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the Tanzania Youth Espouse for Gender and Development (TYEGD), Esoko and Weather Impact, farmers expressed their appreciation for the projects timely and accurate weather updates.
“These SMS alerts are incredibly reliable and have transformed the way we plan our farming activities,” said Veronica Muhende, a farmer from Sarawe village.
On his part, Hassan Break, a garden farmer from Nyangere village noted that the advanced knowledge allows farmers to adjust their irrigation schedule, saving water and effort.
The Kilimo Thabiti Project is funded by the Fund for Innovation and Development (FID) and it was launched in December 2023.
The project aims to improve the livelihoods of cassava and maize farmers in the Mara region by providing tailored agro-weather advisory services and training.
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At the onset, 30 citizen scientists were trained to measure rainfall and soil moisture, and they now play a crucial role in collecting and disseminating agro-weather information.
Currently about 2,632 farmers are registered to receive these SMS alerts, with over 900 more farmers eager to join.
TARI, through its Ukiriguru center, has been instrumental in training farmers on GAPs, conducting research, and collecting data on climate change.
TYEGD works closely with citizen scientists to monitor the project’s progress, while Esoko manages the creation of digital data collection tools and the distribution of agro-weather advisory messages.
Weather Impact is responsible for coordinating the project and providing weather forecasts based on data shared by farmers and satellite observations.
TARI’s Director of Research and Innovation, Dr. Deusdedith Mbanzibwa, during the visit, emphasized the project’s potential in improving farmers’ livelihoods, particularly in the context of climate change.
He also urged farmers to adhere to the guidance provided by experts and extensionists in the agro-weather advisories.
Additionally, Mara Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr. Gerald Kusaya, and Bunda District Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Anney, commended the project for introducing technologies that promise to enhance food security and increase farmers’ incomes across the region.