September 2015 update

2015 was a key year for Mission Morogoro, with major developments in our Food Security Project for Tunguli. Early in the year the long process of refurbishing the Massey Ferguson 265 tractor, by a team at Moreton Morrell College, was nearing completion, so it was decided that the time was right to buy a farm trailer to go with it. A suitable, but very tired, farm trailer was found locally but it clearly needed a complete overhaul to make sure it was ready to be shipped with the tractor. It became obvious that the bed of the trailer was heavily corroded and would need to be replaced. We were grateful for James Barrett’s skills and patience in producing a completely new bed. The Moreton Morrell team then refurbished all of the mechanical and hydraulic elements of the trailer, before it was painted and fitted out with new boards.

Ripper plough about to start work

The third item needed was a plough to cultivate the compacted African soil. Based on the advice of experts in Tanzania, a ‘ripper’ plough was sourced and, again, refurbished. Here is the 'ripper' mounted on the tractor ready to start work.

 

While all this activity was going on, Mission Morogoro began researching Conservation Agriculture – a new and exciting way of farming being introduced into Africa.  The Conservation Agriculture approach helps prevent soil erosion, gives better crop yields and retains the nutrients in the soil rather than depleting them and making soil unproductive.  The exciting discovery of this method of farming met our hopes for sustainable use of the farming equipment we were sending and aligned with Mission Morogoro’s aspirations for the project as a whole.

Local farmers following training

We have been fortunate to form a strong link with an African NGO, known as ACT (African Conservation Tillage network), whose support we are receiving to introduce Conservation Agriculture methods into Tunguli. During our August visit we were thrilled to be able to attend a 2-day training, delivered by ACT, in Tunguli alongside 38 local and enthusiastic farmers. Since our return we have set in motion a 3-year plan for the Tunguli Food Security project.

Our visit also saw the construction of a metal building for the secure storage of the agriculture equipment. Sue and James Barrett had created the building in the UK, based on their own design, and it was shipped, flat-packed, in the container alongside the machinery.  Taking the opportunity to involve and train local people in the skills and equipment they used, they quickly erected the building in the heart of the village and it now houses the tractor, ripper plough, tools and workbench needed to support the project.  In addition it was vital for some of the villagers to be trained in tractor driving skills and, as a result of the training course run, a head tractor driver was appointed to continue that training on our return to the UK.

Completed workbench and tools

The building being erected

The tractor and its shed

Tractor driver training

Planting cover crops December 2015

Since our return a government Extension Officer has been appointed and, under the supervision of ACT, he will oversee the technical aspects of the project in Tunguli. In the longer term the conservation agriculture project will extend training out from Tunguli to the surrounding villages.  The 38 farms, meanwhile, will be provided with improved seeds of cover crops and maize to plant each year for 3 years.  A water reservoir will be excavated with a concrete wall to provide water for irrigation and, water will also be available for village use from a new bore- hole.  To help combat the problems of erosion, Agroforestry tree seeds will be supplied to provide trees for planting around the village.

These are exciting and challenging times in our project and our wish is that these initiatives will make a sustainable difference to the villagers living in and around Tunguli.