East Usambara Catchment Forest Project - Work Plan 1997

Farm Forestry (Component 3)

Status

The extension programme written in 1993 was modified and the revised  programme is at the final touches.

Village meetings on conservation and farm  forestry were conducted at Vuga ,Hemsambia, Daluni-Kisiwani, and in Mgambo on village forestry management.  Meetings on farm forestry were held in Potwe - Ndondondo, and the new villages added in 1996 which are (Kwagunda, Mwembeni, Kwatango, Bamba - mavengero and Folofolo- kiuzai).

Farmers study tours were conducted to SCAPA  Arusha and LAMP  Babati. Farmers visits within the project area were initiated. Participants were women and men selected by the farmers themselves.

Four different types of posters designed in 1994 were printed, two thousand copies per poster.. Leaflets were reviewed and four types which were accepted are under preparation. Conservation messages were offered through film shows in 20 villages.

A workshop for school teachers in East Usambaras was held and a plan to work with primary schools was developed. Elders' workshop to transfer indigenous conservation knowledge to primary school pupils through songs, local dances, herbals medicine and stories was held. Resolutions of elders and teachers were laid down and already initiated in the schools of Kwagunda, Potwe, Ubiri, Kisiwani and Mwembeni.

Farmers interested in tree planting in pilot villages were identified and continuous contacts has been established. Women's groups (total 28) dealing with conservation has been established in 7 pilot villages. Farmers in collaboration with project staff identified desirable tree species to be planted by themselves.

On-farm tree nurseries are being run by women groups in the pilot villages activities.

Beekeeping activities were introduced at Kwagunda, Potwe, Ubiri, Mwembeni and Kwatango.  Five model beehives were constructed for interested beekeepers of which three were already distributed. Other farm-forestry activities includes fish ponds for fish production

A draft booklet of 20 tales of the forest was produced ready for finalization.

In 1997 the Unit will concentrate on providing technical assistance for on-farm tree planting and nursery management, seed sources awareness and building up of the capability of field staff to work with farmers interest. Also conservation messages will be offered. The strategy will focus on farmer-to-farmer extension also a Farm Forestry Advisor will be employed by the Project to co-ordinate farm forestry.  Production of seedlings will be directed to on-farm-nurseries to improve technical know how and raising interests in conservation and tree planting among the farmers. The seedlings for project use can be purchased  from the farmers at low cost provided that the technical assistance is provided by the project. This method will cut down the cost of seedling production.

Major Outputs and Activities:

Output 3.1 Conduct grass root awareness - raising campaigns on conservation; reforestation, agroforestry, other farm management practices

Outputs in 1997

• Village meetings and follow-up meetings on conservation and farm forestry in 7 pilot villages  and 3 more villages shown interest;
• Farmers' study visits and study tour;
• A workshop to check elders'  programme progress.

Farmers from pilot villages will visit each other to compare progress on conservation and farm forestry practices. Three visits will be implemented tentatively March, July, September, and October.

Key farmers/innovative/progressive farmers in East Usambaras will be used to facilitate conservation messages to reluctant/other villages whenever needed.

A workshop to exchange ideas and to check the progress of elders programme will be held before June 1997.

Output 3.2 Assistance in developing effective and ecologically sound conservation and farm forestry practices in seven villages started.

Outputs in 1997

• More desirable tree species identified for farm forestry use;
• Soil conservation measures practised by progressive farmers
• Seminars on tree nursery practices held;
• Diversified farm forestry activities eg. tree nursery activities, tree planting, beekeeping,  fishponds;
• Farm Forestry Advisor available.

The project will co-ordinate with Agricultural Officers to enhance contour lines measuring in farming areas by January  1997.

The project will provide desirable tree species seeds (Greville robusta, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Cordia africana, Croton spp, Tectona grandis, Abizia spp, Afzelia quazensii, Meilicia exelsa) for on-farm nurseries for farmers by July (for slow growing species) and September for fast growing species.

Seminars on tree nursery  practices and management to farmers and field staff will be held in every division by April. Focus will be on seed sowing techniques and general nursery management of different species  favoured by the farmers. Demonstration of  making  pots for seed sowing from simple/ local material will be included.

Output 3.3 Encourage and supporting women's  involvement and participation in forestry activities started.

Outputs in 1997

• Exchange visits among women's groups implemented.
• The seventeen women's groups involved in conservation will be increased to twenty

Activities

Exchange visits among women's groups (see Activity 3.1.3) will be done to raise more awareness and exchange ideas on different problems they face and discuss possible measures to combat the situation.

Multidisplinary cooperations with other disciplines like Livestock,  Agriculture,  Fisheries, Community Development  and other interested fields will be encouraged  for more advise to improve women's groups activities.

income generating activities such as vegetable gardens, tree nurseries for commercial purposes will be strengthened in the pilot villages. The project can buy tree seedlings raised by women's groups as a way of raising their income of the group and gaining morally in tree planting.

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