Dubbed: Tevane, the group which consists of a number of PwDs at the village was established three years ago, after being trained and supported by experts from the ward, district and the Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT).
Speaking with this paper recently Christina Aloyce, secretary of the group, noted that as climate change continues to disrupt farming practices globally, the importance of agroecology has never been more apparent.
She said: “Being a disabled is not the end of everything, it doesn’t guarantee that you cannot wake up and engage in income generating activities, SAT opened our eyes and mind-sets, we all together agreed to work in synergy and here we are, our farm is going well and we have started harvesting vegetables for sale but also take at home to improve our meals.”
Christina said if empowered, persons with disabilities can do big things and shock the public with positive results due to their commitment and hard work.
She hailed the implementation of the Farmers and Pastoralists Collaboration (FPC) supported by the Biovision Foundation which has transformed the income and lives of the majority of people in the district.
“We were previously staying home waiting for family members and relatives to take care of us, life was so difficult, as we felt sometimes as a burden to the family, so we are really happy with this project,” Christina said.
Narrating how their journey started, Christina said that in 2019, at their village Mbwana Rwambo, a field facilitator from Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) came and met her while she was a retail vegetable seller who used a small vehicle for mobility due to her disability.
The facilitator saw potential in her and others like her. He knew that with the right knowledge and training in agroecology, they could transform their lives.
“Thus, the Tevane Group was formed. It is a unique group of farmers, each living with different disabilities, but all sharing a common goal. They are not just farmers, but a symbol of determination and hope,” she explained.
Christina said after coming together, the group attended a one-week training at the Farmer Training Centre (FTC) where they dived into the world of organic farming, learning about organic fertilizers, compost making, and bio-pesticides.
“Returning home, we put our new knowledge to the test. We started a demo plot together and implemented what they had learned. The results were astounding. Our production improved greatly, and even their neighbors noticed the change. The group primarily focuses on growing vegetables and seasonal crops like maize, which they sell to boost their income,” she explained.
Agroecology, with its foundation in sustainable land use, biodiversity, and local self-reliance, inherently mitigates climate change effects while adapting to its challenges.
By optimizing the interaction between plants, animals, humans, and the environment, agroecology not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also bolsters farming systems against unpredictable weather patterns and increases temperature.
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