TANZANIA AGRICULTURE PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAM (TAPP) QUARTERLY...

TANZANIA AGRICULTURE

PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAM (TAPP)

QUARTERLY REPORT # 8

July - September 2011

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID). It was prepared by Fintrac Inc. under contract

EDH-I-07-05-00007-00 with USAID/Tanzania.

Fintrac Inc.

www.fintrac.com

[email protected]

US Virgin Islands

3077 Kronprindsens Gade 72

St. Thomas, USVI 00802

Tel: (340) 776-7600

Fax: (340) 776-7601

Washington, D.C.

1436 U Street NW, Suite 303

Washington, D.C.20009USA

Tel: (202) 462-8475

Fax: (202) 462-8478

Tanzania Agriculture Productivity Program (TAPP)

Plot No. 86, Block “KK” Olorien

Arusha, Tanzania

Tel: +255 27 254 5325

Email: [email protected]

Cover photo: Female farmers transporting harvested beans to a cool store in Kilimanjaro. Photo by Fintrac

Inc./Antonia Coello

Back cover photo: Proud farmer from the Upendo Women’ Group in Mlandizi who receives training from USAID-

TAPP to improve the productivity of her vegetable crops. Photo by Fintrac Inc./Kimberly Flowers

http://www.fintrac.com/

mailto:[email protected]

TANZANIA AGRICULTURE

PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAM (TAPP)

QUARTERLY REPORT # 8

July - September 2011 The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States

Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

CONTENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................... 5

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 6

Project Description ................................................................................................... 6

Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................. 6

1. PRODUCTIVITY .................................................................................................. 7

1.1 Trainings ............................................................................................................. 7

1.2 Technologies ....................................................................................................... 8

1.3 Crops ................................................................................................................. 9

2. MARKET AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT ........................................................ 10

2.1 Fresh ................................................................................................................ 10

2.2 Processed ......................................................................................................... 11

2.3 Export .............................................................................................................. 11

2.4 Domestic .......................................................................................................... 12

3. OTHER CROSSCUTTING THEMES ................................................................ 13

3.1 HIV/AIDS .......................................................................................................... 13

3.2 Gender Issues & Youth ...................................................................................... 14

4. PARTNERSHIPS AND CAPACITY BUILDING .............................................. 15

4.1 TAHA ............................................................................................................... 15

4.2 New Partnerships .............................................................................................. 16

Biovision Africa Trust (BAT) .............................................................................................................. 16

Zanzibar Mental Health Hospital Garden ........................................................................................ 16

4.3 Capacity Building ............................................................................................... 16

UWAMWIMA General Elections ...................................................................................................... 16

Blue Rhino Consult Ltd.’s assessment of USAID-TAPP Partners........................................................... 17

ANNEX I: PERFORMANCE AGAINST PMP INDICATORS .............................. 18

ANNEX II: PARTNERS .......................................................................................... 21

ANNEX III: SUCCESS STORIES........................................................................... 22

Tanzania Agriculture Productivity Program, EDH-I-07-05-00007-00

USAID-TAPP QUARTERLY REPORT #8 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2011 5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

USAID-TAPP is working to increase smallholder income, improve nutrition and expand markets. Life

of project achievements include:

Productivity

To date, USAID-TAPP has worked with 10,788 smallholder beneficiaries across Tanzania

and the Isles of Zanzibar.

The average USAID-TAPP beneficiary is earning $2,297 a year in profits (gross margin) from

growing nutritious horticultural crops.

4,812 hectares of smallholder farmland are now being operated using improved technologies

thanks to trainings and technical assistance provided by USAID-TAPP.

Farmers working in the program who established low-cost greenhouses made nearly one

million Tshs (or US$585) from their first month of tomato harvest alone.

Nearly 60,000 participants have benefitted from USAID-TAPP sponsored trainings on

agricultural sector productivity training, health, nutrition and business management.

Market and Trade Development

The TAHA/TAPP Market Information System is providing up-to-date price information to an

average of 188 farmers and buyers a month.

6 new value-added products have been introduced to smallholder farmers including high-

value vanilla and organic spices.

Project partner TAHA Fresh is now providing ground-trucking services to Tanzanian

growers- expanding the availability of cool chain services in the country.

Crosscutting Themes

Over 26,000 people have participated in trainings on HIV/AIDS education and prevention

sponsored by USAID-TAPP.

Two associations of people living with HIV/AIDS are now providing agricultural support and

services to their members for the first time with assistance from USAID-TAPP.

More than 650 individuals are benefiting from home and community gardens established by

the project.


6 USAID-TAPP QUARTERLY REPORT #8 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2011

INTRODUCTION

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Tanzania Agricultural Productivity Program (TAPP) is increasing smallholder farmer

incomes through enhanced productivity and improved domestic and export marketing of

agricultural products. It is a five-year program supported by the American people through

the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The overall goal of USAID-TAPP is to raise rural incomes, improve nutrition and expand

markets. The program will benefit 19,000 rural families by effectively transferring technology

and business skills to farmers, attaining sustainable increases in rural incomes, and enhancing

institutional capacity in the public and private sectors. Efforts to address the impact of

HIV/AIDS in rural communities are integrated into activities and there is a strong emphasis

on encouraging women and youth to better understand the potential of horticulture as a

business. The principles of good agricultural practices (GAPs) guide all cropping programs to

ensure that the environment will be protected and enhanced.

Photo by Fintrac Inc.

Farmers in Arusha receive training on how to use seed trays, an easy and affordable way to ensure the

right amounts of soil and water are used during seedling production.



1. PRODUCTIVITY

This quarter, USAID-TAPP staff trained over 14,000 participants on topics relating to

income generation, health and nutrition and improved markets in Tanzania and the Isles of

Zanzibar.

For the second year in a row, USAID-TAPP highlighted its smallholder-driven technology

package at the Nane Nane agricultural show. Nane Nane (Eight Eight) is a Tanzanian

farmers’ holiday. In conjunction with the holiday, agricultural and livestock exhibitions are

held every August in major towns throughout Tanzania. USAID-TAPP developed a

demonstration plot on the Nane Nane fair

grounds in Arusha and Morogoro where

they displayed technologies such as drip

irrigation, proper plant spacing, and sack

gardens.

The USAID-TAPP plots in Arusha and

Morogoro created a lot of excitement

among visiting farmers and stakeholders; so

much so that the Tanzania Agricultural

Society (TASO) awarded the project first

prize in the “Technology Development

Transfer” category for the Arusha plot.

The Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mr.

Isdory Shirima, visited the USAID-TAPP

demonstration plot and commented on the applicability of drip irrigation and the other

technologies shown for small Tanzanian

farmers.

1.1 TRAININGS

Record keeping has been a focus of trainings on Zanzibar with assistance provided to eight

farmer groups in Fuoni, Mfenesini, Kianga, Kisakasaka, Dimani, Unguja Ukuu and Meli Nne

villages on how they should record activities, expenditures and sales. USAID-TAPP

developed its own record keeping book and distributed it to participating farmers so that

they can better record their planting activities and costs of production. USAID-TAPP

partners and staff will assist farmers in analyzing the data kept in their record books so that

they can better realize the profits they are making from their production activities.

In August, 262 farmers from Arusha Region were trained on land preparation, seedling

production and proper transplanting practices. Farmers from Mbyuni, Migungani Mbuyuni,

Oloigerruno and Kipande villages were trained on proper spacing, starter solution, raised

beds, live barriers, drench fertilizers, hybrid seeds and proper weed control. A

demonstration plot was established in each of the four villages to reinforce the training.

Demonstration plots remain the key focus of our training program and at the time of

writing, the project and its partners have established 169 demonstration plots throughout

Tanzania. The agricultural techniques promoted on these plots include the use of drip

Photos by Fintrac Inc.

USAID-TAPP staff members accept first place trophy in

“Technology Development Transfer” for their drip irrigation

demonstration plot in Arusha.



irrigation, carrot and onion sowing techniques, MoneyMaker pumps, organic spice

production and mango tree pruning, amongst others.

Five new technical manuals and bulletins were prepared in this quarter to support USAID-

TAPP extension activities at the Nane Nane shows in Arusha and Morogoro. The technical

manuals provide instructions on sack garden preparations, community nutrition, nursery

management, compost manure preparations and factors affecting plant growth. All

publications are translated in Swahili and form a key component of USAID-TAPP extension

activities with rural communities.

1.2 TECHNOLOGIES

USAID-TAPP staff attended a workshop in Arusha on agronomy which included a visit to

Rijk Zwaan Afrisem, a leader in breeding vegetable varieties (tomato, African eggplant, and

Chinese pepper) who is also working on producing reliable and affordable seeds for the

Tanzanian agriculture sector. USAID-TAPP staff were able to learn about up-and-coming

varieties of hybrid seeds that they will be able to introduce to their producer groups to

significantly increase yields.

USAID-TAPP has also been collaborating with Rijk Zwaan in Tanzania on its low-cost

greenhouse production program. Rijk Zwaan has given high-quality seedlings to some

USAID-TAPP smallholder farmers who are using greenhouses. This collaboration speaks to

the strengths of USAID-TAPP’s greenhouse program since Rijk Zwaan traditionally only

provided these seedlings to larger, commercial greenhouses.

The greenhouse program continues to expand with construction of two new greenhouses

in the villages of Yoghoi and Magamba in Lushoto. A 52 meter long greenhouse in Yoghoi

village will be handed over to 25 members (12 male and 13 female) of the Yoghoi Youth

Group who will primarily be growing tomatoes. The other 52 meter greenhouse in

Magamba village will be used by a lead client and a producer group that will also grow

tomatoes. Farmers in the Lushoto district have been quick to adopt greenhouse

technologies and Malindi and Kwekangaga villages have been identified for future

greenhouses.

Harvesting of the first crops

in the greenhouses has

begun and levels of

production have been high. Marurani and Miwaleni

greenhouses started

harvesting first. From the

third week of August, 1,902

kilograms of tomatoes were

harvested from Marurani

greenhouse and 1,205

kilograms were harvested

from Miwaleni. There is a

purchasing agreement with

a local retailer for the

Marurani greenhouse, who

Farmers working in the

program who established

low-cost greenhouses

made nearly one million

Tshs (or US$585) from

their first month of

tomato harvest alone.




buys the tomatoes at 500 TSh. per kilogram. The greenhouse has made 951,000 TSh. thus

far and there are still several months left in the harvest season.

USAID-TAPP recognizes the opportunity and potential that low-cost greenhouses present

to smallholder farmers in Tanzania. In order to fully take advantage of this opportunity, the

project hired full-time greenhouse specialist Boniface Daniel. Boniface will provide weekly

support to all the greenhouse growers who participate in the USAID-TAPP project until

they reach a point where they can graduate from the program.

1.3 CROPS

Vanilla is a crop of rising importance in the international market due to increased demand.

Thanks to efforts made by USAID-

TAPP this month, hundreds of

smallholder farmers will soon benefit

from their integration into the vanilla

production value chain. A cooperation

agreement was facilitated between

two vanilla producing organizations -

the Kilimanjaro Vanilla Growers

Cooperative Society (CHAWAVAKI -

Chama Cha Wakulima wa Vanilla

Kilimanjaro) and the Farmers’

Development Association (MAYAWA-

Maendeleo ya Wakulima) in Bukoba,

Kagera Region. This partnership will

see over 98,000 kgs of vanilla being processed and sold over the next five years by 530

smallholder farmers.

Carrots are a key crop in many of districts where USAID-TAPP works and the project has

been working hard to introduce improved production practices around this commodity. In

the last few months, the hard work has started to pay off. A recently completed carrot trial

in Oldonyosambu, Arusha Region placed the project’s basic practices squarely aga inst the

traditional way of growing carrots. The USAID-TAPP technology package included raised

beds, drip irrigation, planting in multiple rows per bed and the use of plastic sheeting to

improve the germination process. Local practices did not include any of these basic

technologies. Comments were made at the beginning that a lot of space had been wasted on

the USAID-TAPP plot since crosp were only planted on beds. One result of this planting practice was that the USAID-TAPP plot used less seed (150 grams rather than the 250

grams used on the normal plot).

When it came to harvest, the results spoke for themselves. The plot with local practices

yielded 4.5 bags (each bag weighing about 80 kilograms), of which one bag was ‘grade 1’

carrots, three bags ‘grade 2’ carrots and half a bag were unusable. Meanwhile, the USAID-

TAPP plot yielded eight bags, of which five bags were ‘grade 1’, three bags were ‘grade 2’,

and rejects were negligible. Harvesting was also easier on the beds and overall water usage

was far less. When it came to sales, the 250m2 USAID-TAPP plot made 210,000 TSh.

compared to the local plot of equal area which made 90,000 TSh.

TAPP will help

integrate 530

smallholder

farmers into

the high-value

vanilla value

chain.

Photo by Fintrac

Inc.



Maize is not a crop normally reported on in a horticultural project. Nevertheless, one of

USAID-TAPP’s farmers has had great success by applying one of the core practices from the

project’s horticultural extension package to his maize crop. Proper plant spacing is key for

optimal vegetable production; it also works with maize. USAID-TAPP agronomists

encouraged a farmer in Chekereni village, Kilimanjaro region, to practice crop rotation by

planting maize to give his soil a break from only vegetables. In making this recommendation,

the agronomists also recommended that the farmer plant the maize in rows using a spacing

of 15 centimeters by 75 centimeters. The results were impressive; the farmer increased his

yields from five bags an acre to 20 bags an acre and made a good profit due to increased

market prices after a poor production year in northern Tanzania.

2. MARKET AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT

2.1 FRESH

Cool storage facilities constructed by USAID-TAPP are helping to minimize postharvest

losses throughout Tanzania. USAID Interim Mission Director Karen Turner recently visited cool storage facilities at Mkunazini in Stone Town, Zanzibar, where she was shown how

farmers are now able to store produce for up to three days before taking it to market,

minimizing losses and streamlining harvest to market efforts. Ms. Turner was impressed with

how low-cost charcoal cool-stores constructed for client farms In Meli Nne and Fuoni

enable the farmers to keep harvested produce cool and fresh on-site before being taken to

market the following morning.

As mentioned above, the USAID-TAPP greenhouse program is up and running. The first

harvests began over six weeks ago and already the greenhouses have produced impressive

volumes. In full production, the greenhouses can produce 300 kilograms of tomatoes per

week from a 308m2 greenhouse. For a greenhouse to be profitable, it is imperative that the

vegetables grown are high quality and that they all sell. Market linkages are fundamental to

success and USAID-TAPP stresses the importance of establishing buyer commitments long

before the first harvest. The project assisted in linking the greenhouses in Arusha and

Kilimanjaro Regions with Rotian, a fresh produce distribution company that supplies

Shoprite in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, lodges and hotels in Northern Tanzania, and the high-

end community in Arusha town. For the greenhouses in Lushuto, the farmers’ association,

Usambara Lishe Trust, agreed to buy all the coloured peppers and tomatoes to supply their

markets in Dar es Salaam. USAID-TAPP agronomists are also developing other market

outlets so there is not an over-reliance on one buyer.

Arusha Blooms, one of USAID-TAPP’s clients, is an ex-flower farm that has turned to

vegetables and other diversified activities. As part of their activities under the partner Fund

agreement, Arusha Blooms rehabilitated some of their metal greenhouses for the

production of high value crops. In this quarter, they began supplying melons, coloured

peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and eggplant to traders who supply high end outlets such as

hotels in the Arusha region. The company is also in the process of negotiating with the Dar

es Salaam Corridor Ships Chandelling Ltd to give access to the Dar es Salaam markets.

USAID-TAPP has worked with VSO to strengthen the capacity of the farmers’ association, UWAMWIMA, in Zanzibar. Due to internal conflicts that surfaced late last year, association



farmers had halted deliveries to the hub in Stone Town, resulting in a shutdown of the

supply of fresh produce to the hotels involved. USAID-TAPP conducted group leadership

training which helped stimulate an internal decision to hold general elections in August.

With a new executive board in place, farmer confidence was restored and the delivery of

fresh produce was renewed. In August, over 800,000 TSh. were sold to the hub by the

farmers. A fresh produce distributer from Arusha approached the USAID-TAPP project for

a linkage with UWAMWIMA. He wanted to negotiate an agreement whereby he could use

the facility on a fee-paying basis to allow him access to the Zanzibar market.

2.2 PROCESSED

USAID-TAPP partner Golden Food Products has undertaken activities to bolster its capacity

for drying herbs and spices; for creating energy through biogas production; and for cold

storage of seasonal fruit in its Arusha-based jam making facility. In May, 2011, a key purchase

was made for perforated aluminum sheets to dramatically increase the drying capacity for

the cardamom harvest at the end of the year. Because no manufacturer produced aluminum

sheets in East Africa, the product had to be sourced from abroad. Although the commodity

has arrived at Mombasa port, it has languished for months without being released. These are

the challenges faced by companies in Tanzania who try to develop higher order processing

capabilities to add value beyond primary production. Fortunately, dryer screens from the

solar dryer funded by USAID-TAPP were suitable for use in the dryer so that Golden Food

Products can proceed to dry the cardamom harvest.

Procurement is underway on a pasteurizer and juice filling machine for Nature Ripe

Kilimanjaro. The project’s support of the company revolves around increasing their

processing capacity so that they can develop a larger supply base of smallholder farmers.

The objective is to get the machines installed and operational for the up-coming mango

season that starts in November and finishes in March. Nature Ripe uses mangoes grown on

their farm and also buys from smallholder farmer who have been trained by the company on

increased production. Once mangoes are received, they are turned into pulp and converted

into a number of products. With the help of USAID-TAPP, the company will add mango

juice to its product line.

2.3 EXPORT

In August, Arusha Blooms started consolidating all of Finlays’ produce from its Tanzanian

growers. Finlays’ (formerly known as

Homegrown) is a market leader in the

growing, purchase and export of fresh

produce from East Africa. Under the

present arrangement, the Finlay-

harvested produce is collected by

Arusha Blooms and brought to the farm

before being sent to Kenya for grading,

packing and shipment to Europe.

Previously, the Kenyan company used

its own truck to visit all its contract

farmers to collect produce; now it sub-

contracts this service to Arusha

Blooms, a sign of the trust that has

Under a new

agreement with

Finlay’s (formerly

Homegrown),

Arusha Blooms

will be responsible

for consolidating

produce in

Tanzania.




developed between the two companies. Arusha Blooms has quickly become Finlays’ most

important grower and business partner in Tanzania, despite only having recently entered the

export vegetable business. Export beans and baby corn were the first crops planted after

Arusha Blooms re-established itself with help from USAID-TAPP in 2010. Based on the

consistent supply of quality produce and a willingness to help Finlays’ with its Tanzanian

operations, there is likely to be further strengthening of the business ties between the two

companies. This is a development that will have significant benefits for the entire export

vegetable sector in Northern Tanzania and one that USAID-TAPP is excited to be part of.

Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) is also making moves to stay at the front of

developments in the export of fresh produce to Europe. Since 2009, when USAID-TAPP

first started, there have been many companies and farms that have begun exporting or

producing vegetables for export. Entities such as Home Veg, Arusha Blooms, Floresta, and

East African Growers have worked with large numbers of smallholder farmer groups to

grow crops such as fine beans, peas, baby corn and hot peppers for buyers in Europe. The

recent diversification of the sector is thought to have led to increases in export volumes but hard data is not readily available. This is a real challenge for TAHA and its partners as they

plan on how to best support future growth of the sector. When, for example, are volumes

forecasted to reach levels that can sustain regular air freight flights out of Kilimanjaro

airport again? Before these volumes are reached, TAHA will want to lobby the government,

airport management and growers to ensure that JRO becomes the preferred option for

exporters out of northern Tanzania. To obtain data on which strategic plans can be made,

TAHA (with assistance from USAID-TAPP) has begun collecting information on export

volumes from exporters. They are acquiring weekly records from the last three years and

are also setting up a collection system that will facilitate the continued collection of this vital

information. Firms were initially a little hesitant in giving this information, but TAHA has

used its central position in the sector to convince the stakeholders of the importance of this

data to the continued growth of the fresh produce export sector.

With assistance from USAID-TAPP, Project partner Africado is completing its second

harvest season since establishment of operations of their farm and out-grower program in

Western Kilimanjaro. As with the first harvest, the yields this year have not yet reached a

level that can sustain a large supply contract with buyers in Europe. For this reason,

avocados are being sold to a large exporter of avocados in Kenya. It normally takes avocado

trees four years to reach full production. With mature trees and an ever expanding out-

grower program, Africado anticipates to be exporting directly to Europe in the next year or

two. The out-grower program has expanded significantly under the support of USAID-

TAPP. Africado had 81 out-growers before USAID-TAPP began its assistance in 2010. By

August this year, there were 438 smallholder farmers with around 14,000 trees planted.

2.4 DOMESTIC

USAID-TAPP, in collaboration with TAHA, conducted a five day market and information

focus group survey to collect feedback from farmers who have been receiving short

message services (SMS) from TAHA on market prices of fresh produce. On a weekly basis,

TAHA compiles and sends market price information to its members (famers and

stakeholders) to inform them of price trends at various markets in Tanzania and Kenya. The

survey interviewed 50 farmers from villages in Kilimanjaro and Tanga, captured the

usefulness of the market information being provided, and assessed whether farmers would



be willing to contribute to the costs of the service. A report of the findings will be made

available in the near future.

During the survey, one farmer in Malindi village, Lushoto district, shared how he was already

using the market price SMS to make money. In addition to using the wholesale price

information from Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam to negotiate with the traders who buy

for that market, he also compares prices between Dar es Salaam and Lushoto and gets the

transporters to bring back produce with a high price differential that he can sell at a profit.

Match Maker Associates (MMA) submitted the Tanzania Fresh Service Network (TFSN)

feasibility study to USAID-TAPP and TAHA this month. The vision for TSFN is that it will

create market linkages, infrastructure and services connections between production areas

(initially those serviced by USAID-TAPP such as Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Pwani regions

and Zanzibar Isles) and market centres such as Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. The network

would also be able to offer logistical services for exports to airports (and eventually ports)

in Tanzania or Kenya. Match Maker Associates concentrated on six ‘entry points’ as outlined in the last quarterly report. The next step is to hold a series of stakeholder meetings to

bring private enterprises and donors together to develop a road map for the development

of the network.

3. OTHER CROSSCUTTING THEMES

3.1 HIV/AIDS

Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS education and prevention activities continues to be a focal point of

the USAID-TAPP program this quarter. In the Coast Region, a three day training session

was held in conjunction with program partner, UMATI. The trainings targeted small-scale

farmers in two districts (Kibaha and Mkuranga) and a total of 25 farmer groups totalling 370

participants (140 male, 230 female) were reached with HIV/AIDS mainstreaming messages.

The training covered several issues including defining HIV and AIDS, prevention, common

myths and misconceptions, stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS, and prevention of

mother to child transmission.

In Arusha, there was an integrated series of trainings for 169 farmers on nutrition, food

security and income generation. The participants in the training were from the Patandi

Farmer Group and showed particular interest in the sack gardens, in part because many of

the group’s members are involved of the Village Care Initiative. This initiative trains

OVC/PLHIV caregivers to equip them to support OVCs and other people in need in their

village. The farmer group has requested that the training on sack gardens is given to all the

trainers of the Tengeru Village Care Initiative.

USAID-TAPP also assisted Zanzibar Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (ZAPHA+)

in conducting a Training of Trainers (ToT) for two ZAPHA+’s farmer groups. The ToT

session was given to 50 members from Mahonda village. Training topics included cropping

plans, nursery establishment, land preparation, tomato transplanting techniques and other

good tomato production practices. This has been an exciting quarter for ZAPHA+ with the

establishment of their entrepreneur plots that use the latest drip irrigation technology. The one acre plots are divided into two, with half being used in the same way as USAID-TAPP’s



Positive Kitchen Gardens, growing a mix of nutritionally rich vegetables, root crops and

legumes. The other half of the plots will be used to grow crops for market production and

income generation. These plots are the first from USAID-TAPP to receive one acre of

pressurized drip under a new initiative that will see a number of these systems installed

across the country.

3.2 GENDER ISSUES & YOUTH

The partnership between USAID-TAPP and AVRDC to train youth in market-orientated

vegetable production is now entering its second year. Youth have been trained in four

villages (Manyata Lake Tatu, Mikungani, Uwiro and Olkungwadu) and are producing crops

that are sold to local vendors. They are also growing fine beans for exports. Support from

AVRDC has not just been of an agronomic nature, as they also work with youth on group

dynamics and responsibilities. One area that will need further emphasis is record keeping,

which is something the groups have struggled to do well.



4. PARTNERSHIPS AND CAPACITY BUILDING

4.1 TAHA

TAHA recently hired Ms. Cyrila Mlay as its new Market and Information Officer. Cyrila has

strong IT and project management skills and is a great fit for the exciting new developments

under this department. Market price data for the TAHA-TAPP market information and

price reporting system was previously gathered by a subcontractor. In order to save costs

and bring these skills in-house, TAHA will now be managing the system of market

enumerators reporting wholesale prices from 13 markets three times a week on 12

horticultural commodities. TAHA also has taken on the job of collating, analyzing and

disseminating the information through SMS to various stakeholders. This information will

continue to be used in monthly market price bulletins. Ms. Mlay will also be intimately

involved with the renovation of TAHA’s web-site and the up-grading of the market

information system. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Felix Maganjila, Freddy

Mumbuli and Mary Haule from RENTC for all the hard work that they have put in to get

this initiative off the ground.

Steffen Krueger, Fintrac’s Contracts & Grants Manager, conducted a participatory capacity

assessment of TAHA earlier this quarter. This assessment was undertaken to help guide

USAID-TAPP in preparing TAHA’s Year 3 Partner Award agreement but also for use by

TAHA as it reviews its organizational structure, operational systems and objectives. The

assessment focused on four areas: strategic management; financial management; human

resource management; and service delivery. Using a total of 65 indicators that were

assessed through various stakeholder interviews and meetings, the findings reported that

TAHA could be considered an association in the consolidating phase of its development.

This is encouraging as it shows that TAHA has largely passed through the start-up and

developing phases of its growth, and is well on its way to attaining the functionality of a

mature association.

The revolving credit fund for inputs that was set up by USAID-TAPP through Financial Crisis

Initiative funds has given new life to a flower farm. Tanzania Roses was the first recipient of

a loan from this fund and the farm’s managers, East African Growers, have made some

impressive gains. The farm went from teetering on the brink of bankruptcy to employing 67

permanent staff and 173 part-time staff. Rose production has gone from 0 stems to over

1,000,000 per month. From January to June, 2011, 5.3 million stems were exported at a

value of over 734 million TSh. The company has also diversified into vegetables. It is growing

local market vegetables on the farm and has also started an outgrower program for fine

beans with smallholder farmers in the surrounding areas. October, 2011 represents the

start of the repayment of the loan and the Tanzanian Agricultural Development Fund

committee, which manages the fund, is making preparations for future disbursements but

also looking for financial partners to help diversify the financial products that can be offered

to the sector by the fund.



4.2 NEW PARTNERSHIPS

Biovision Africa Trust (BAT)

This quarter USAID-TAPP begin its partnership with

Biovision Africa Trust (BAT) to produce a Swahili

language farmers’ magazine titled “Mkulima Mbunifu”. Biovision is a Swiss foundation for sustainable

development that funds The Organic Farmer (TOF) in

Kenya. TOF is principally known by the magazine it

produces by the same name, which has a strong following

among farmers due to its informative, visual presentation

of practical information. The organization also has a radio

show and extension service to disseminate information.

The key to the success of TOF is the importance it

places on getting the magazine into farmers’ hands. It

manages extensive networks, using a multitude of

partners, to ensure delivery of the monthly magazine.

USAID-TAPP looks forward to taking advantage of this

network to broaden the information on agricultural

production provided to smallholders.

“Mkulima Mbunifu” or “Innovative Farmer” is a magazine specifically for the Tanzanian

smallholder farmer. The first edition of 5,000 copies was launched at the Arusha Nane Nane

fair; Arusha’s regional commissioner attended the launch event. The magazine will run

articles appropriate for the time of year and that follow the cropping seasons. The Market

Information Bulletin produced monthly by TAHA will also be included in the magazine to

broaden the availability of this information to further smallholders around Tanzania.

Zanzibar Mental Health Hospital Garden

In August, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between USAID-TAPP and Barclays

Bank to help fund an agricultural program at the Mental Health Hospital. The joint effort

allows for the construction of vegetable gardens onsite that will provide highly nutritious

vegetables for the hospital kitchen and excellent occupational therapy for patients who will

learn how to work the gardens and care for the plants. Additionally, a formal nursery will

be established at the hospital for the provision of fruit tree seedlings. Under the agreement,

Barclays Bank Tanzania will donate 4 million TSh while USAID-TAPP will provide training

and technical support to hospital staff and patients.

4.3 CAPACITY BUILDING

UWAMWIMA General Elections

In August, USAID-TAPP and VSO supported the general elections of the executive

committee of UWAMWIMA, the farmer association on Zanzibar that is helping hundreds of

farmers with their production and marketing of fresh produce. UWAMWIMA is a farmers’

association established in 2004 with around 600 members on the isles of Zanzibar. These

farmers produce vegetables to sell through the UWAMWIMA market hub in Stone Town.

The “Innovative Farmer”

magazine was launched in August

2011 at the Arusha Nane Nane

fair.

.



Prior to the election, it was decided that the delegate system would be used so that there

was fair representation of all the members from all of the districts of Unguja. There was also

representation from Pemba. In total, 100 members voted for the new executive committee.

The committee consists of a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary

and treasurer. The last general elections were held in 2007 and only two of the original

executive committee were still active. Earlier this year, USAID-TAPP asked its partner, Blue

Rhino Consult, to train the leadership of the association on operational and financial

management. One of the recommendations that came out of the training was that

UWAMWIMA needed to reorganize and strengthen its leadership and management

structures. During 2011, UWAMWIMA took steps to follow this recommendation which

led to the general elections in August. VSO and USAID-TAPP are now following this up by

training the new committee members and developing capabilities.

Blue Rhino Consult Ltd.’s assessment of USAID-TAPP Partners

Blue Rhino Consult (BRC) has been contracted by USAID-TAPP to provide broad support

to program partners by developing training materials and leading workshops on topics

covering financial and business management, value chain analysis and management, market

based farming, and credit management. In addition, BRC will also extend support to TAPP

program partners, especially USAID-TAPP primary counterpart TAHA, in the areas of

business planning, loan tracking system development, fundraising efforts, and monitoring of

credit programs. With the latter objective in mind, BRC began capacity assessments of four

USAID-TAPP’s partners this quarter. Golden Food Products, HomeVeg, Nature Ripe and

AMAGRO were all visited in September to assess management structures and business

planning. Recommendations on how USAID-TAPP can strengthen the functioning of these

partners are expected in BRC’s progress report due at the end of September 2011.



ANNEX I: PERFORMANCE AGAINST PMP

INDICATORS

FY 2011 Indicators Units

2011

Target

Achieved

to date Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Number of rural households

benefiting directly from USG

intervention

10,000 10,788 677 342 1,387 2,907 Rural

Households

Gross margin per hectar for

commodities targeted by

USG assistance*

1,309 2,297

2,297 $US

Percentage change in yield * 25 46

(36) Percent

Number of individuals who

have received USG

supported short-term

agricultural sector

productivity training

27,800 58,641 8,977 9,182 11,419 14,383 Individuals

Number of additional

hectares under improved

technologies or management

practices as a result of USG

assistance*

5,000 4,812

3,556 Hectares

Number of farmers,

processors and others who

have adopted new

technologies or management

practices as a result of USG

assistance*

10,000 9,009

9,009 Farmers

Value of new client and

counterpart investment 2.0 1.08 .28 .30

.40 US$ Million

Value of incremental sales

(collected at farm/firm level)

attributed to FTF*

3.09 2.49

2.49 US$ Million

Name of the Implementing Agency:

Fintrac, Inc.

Reporting Period:

Q8: July-September 2011

Local Address: USAID-TAPP

c/o TAHA P.O. Box 15035 House #49 Kanisa Road Arusha Tanzania

Home Office Address: Fintrac, Inc.

3077 Kronprindsens Gade 72 St Thomas, USVI 00802

Project Title:

Tanzania Agriculture Productivity Program

Target regions:

Arusha, Moshi/Hai, Lushoto, Morogoro, Coast and Zanzibar.

Cooperative Agreement/Contract #: EDH-I-07-05-00007-00

Sub-contract/sub-grantees: Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA)

TAHA Fresh Handling Ltd. (TFHL)

Period of Project: (Start and End Dates) October 19, 2009 – October 18, 2014

Related Program Area and Elements of the Operational Plan: 1. Agricultural Sector Productivity 2. Trade and Investment

Planned Life of the Project: $35,490,000

Amount Obligated to Date: $7,389,985

Pipeline: $28,100,015

Principal Target Beneficiaries:

Tanzanian Smallholder Farmers

Major Counterpart Organizations:

TAHA, Ministry of Agriculture




2011

Target

Achieved

to date Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

implementation

Number of new value-added

products introduced 6 6

6 Products

Number of users accessing

Market Information Systems 500 188

188 Users

Number of firms receiving

capacity-building assistance

to export

79 64

Firms

Number of producers’

organizations, water user

associations, trade and

business associations, and

CBOs that benefitted

directly in this reporting

year from USG assistance

400 435 51 20 43 105 Organizations/

Associations

Number of public-private

partnerships formed as a

result of USG assistance

35 23 5 1 5 1 PPPs

Number of organizations

undergoing capacity

assessments as a result of

USG assistance

435 458 56 21 28 106 Organizations

Number of policy reforms

supported 2 7

2 4 Reforms

Number of beneficiaries

with access to home or

community gardens 1,000 674

674 Beneficiaries

Percentage women/youth

membership in producer

organizations

55/25 47/35

47/35 Women/Youth

Number of certified farmers 200 238

238 Farmers

Number of the targeted

population reached with

individual and/or small

group-level HIV prevention

interventions that are based

on evidence and/or meet

the minimum standards

required

5,685 26,066 4,127 3,519 6,279 5,781 Training

Participants

Number of the targeted

population reached with

individual and/or small

group-level HIV prevention

interventions that are

primarily focused on

abstinence and/or being

faithful, and are based on

evidence and/or meet the

minimum standards required

1,325 6,283 2,049 2,999 175 1,060 Training

Participants

Number of eligible OVCs

provided with a minimum of

one CORE care service

1,000 440

440 OVCs

Number of vulnerable 502 426

426 Households




2011

Target

Achieved

to date Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

households benefiting

directly from USG assistance

Number of baseline or

feasibility studies (FCI) 7 2 1

Studies

Number of institutions with

improved Management

Information Systems as a

result of USG assistance

(FCI)

1

Institutions

*denotes annual target



ANNEX III: SUCCESS STORIES



INSIDE BACK COVER Tanzania Agriculture

Productivity Program TAPP www.tanzania-agric.org

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