Climate change impacts, no longer a threat to organic farming in

During summer, the area is mostly found as a bare land full of dust and sunny with trees being empty after uprooting their leaves.

However, efforts and commitment of some villagers and agro-ecological stakeholders including Mombeki Cleophace, a 37-year-old youth and other residents of the village which is located in Mvomero District, have now helped bring a greenish environment in some parts of the village. 

Mombeki who has been working up daily to take care of his half an acre garden, has greatly changed the mind-sets of many other youth who are also engaging in vegetable and fruit farming to increase their income, restore natural vegetation and fight climate change impacts.

Narrating about his efforts to support environmental conservation while also earning income through organic farming recently, Mombeki recalls five years back when he emerged one of the lucky villagers to receive training on organic farming and environmental conservation from Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT).

“I attended training at the SAT centre in Vianzi, Morogoro, while there together with other farmers from various areas, we were deeply trained on how organic farming is and what we can do to ensure that it produces positive outcomes,” Mombeki narrated this in an interview recently.

According to him, after coming back from the training, he shared the knowledge and skills with other fellow attendants at the college as well as tutors and staff.

Mombeki, who leads a farming group of 17 members and a mentor of two other groups, says organic farming is cost effective as it uses little water with the fertilizer being found locally as well as plant booster which is made easily thus producing more profits that the modern one. 

He thanks the government for bringing enough water to the village which allows villagers to establish small and big vegetable gardens in their areas. 

“SAT experts have trained us and completely transformed our thinking to the better, we are now engaging in farming using simple methods of producing organic fertilizers and pesticides, these practices contribute to reduction in the use and release or emission of hazardous chemicals in the environment as well as providing us with healthy food products,” he explains.

He notes that since he started practicing farming, he has attracted a number of customers whom they are now serving by sending them organic products such as bell peppers, amaranth, spinach and other veggies.

“Since I started learning on the techniques to improve soil fertility, I discovered the benefits of compost in boosting productivity and learned how to use mulch to preserve water and prevent water losses,” he notes.

He also learned how to use bio-pesticides like neem trees, eucalyptus, and many more to combat pests and diseases.

“I can say that this garden pays me a lot because I don’t spend a lot of expenses including water which I apply drip irrigation, but every day I sell vegetables to villagers who majority of them prefer my farm produce and vegetables than those grown using industrial fertilizers and other chemicals,” Mombeki narrates.

According to him, a small pack of vegetables is sold at 500/- in his garden and others in the streets are sold at 300/- but people have been running towards his garden everyday claiming that the veggies are delicious.

“The market is really huge because within this short period, I have secured a lot of customers, they wake up every day giving orders so as to be delivered with their products of their choice,” he adds.

Mombeki stresses that naturally grown vegetables and fruits have high demand as the majority of customers say they have good taste and more health benefits.

He further expresses his gratitude to SAT for implementing the project which has brought transformation in the farmers and pastoral communities.

The farmer however raised concern over the increasing incidents of elephants who have been storming in the village destroying crops and properties and called on the government to take serious measures on this problem.

This, according to him, has affected a majority of farmers who had established organic gardens in their homes and now are discouraged to continue due to regular invasion of the elephants.

Irene Anatory, programme facilitator from SAT says that what has been narrated by the garden attendants is the result of the implementation of the project dubbed: “Farmers and Pastoralists Collaboration (FPC)”.

She says the six-year project from 2017 to 2022 has greatly helped to install organic farming knowledge and skills as well as smart livestock keeping within the communities by promoting natural and conservation farming which eventually helped to improve income and reduce farmers and pastoralists conflicts.

“In this, SAT has trained farmers on conservation farming as well as smart livestock keeping, thousands of farmers and herders from Morogoro and other parts of the country have benefited from various organised trainings and changed their mind-sets, we have projects that touches all groups and bringing positive impact in the communities and nation at large,” she says.

According to him, the organization has been educating farmers on organic farming and other practices that conserve the environment and provide them with healthy products and income such as establishing backyard gardens.

“A backyard garden is a home garden that can give your family everyday access to fresh, green veggies. The garden features a variety of technologies, including an anthill garden, a tire garden, a hanging garden, and a table garden. Some of the benefits of a backyard garden include reliable access to fresh fruits and vegetables, save time and money from not having to go to the store anymore, and most importantly, keeping you and your family healthy by regularly eating healthy organic vegetables,” she explains.

She notes that SAT Holistic Group Limited, a social business, co-owned by small-scale farmers in Tanzania and affiliated with the NGO “Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT)”, directly connects farmers to lucrative local and international organic markets, promoting sustainable farming practices and reducing poverty.

Supported by Biovision and Liechtensteiner Development Service (LED), the project’s major goal was to enhance sustainable livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists through agro-ecological practices creating a solution where both parties can create local circular economies, everyone benefits, and conflicts are drastically reduced.