TVSP - Farmer technology support

In the TVSP project, farmer technology support was an important task. This was done in collaboration with: AVRDC, ICIPE, FarmAfrica, Dutch Embassy, DaiPesa, various farmer groups and government technicians.

Major new technologies introduced are:
  • raised beds
  • furrow irrigation
  • improved fertilizer
  • seedling raising

    During the project period more than 1000 farmers have been trained.

    Success factors
    Key factors for success were
  • farmer selection, as not all farmers are ready for adoption and/or are willing to try
  • right varieties for both farmer and market
  • guaranteed quality of seeds, which is not only germination, also 'what you see is what you get'
  • proper guidance in farmers' fields

    In general, success was achieved easier with individual farmers than farmer's groups.

    Limiting factors
    Limiting factors were
  • farmers are mostly not market-oriented
  • potential areas are far away limiting field work
  • expenses
  • poor infrastructure, like roads and irrigation water
  • marketing, both selling of harvest and purchasing of inputs
  • lack of capacities among farmers and extensionists

    Farmer Patrick in Moshi is sharing his seedling technology with other farmers


    This all means: in the TVSP project we learned a lot. Experience which will help us to improve our work in this field.