“Before the project I was farming traditionally. In pearl millet I was getting an average of 2 bags per acre but now I am getting 5-6 bags per acre. In sunflower I am getting 6-7 bags per acre as compared to the past where I was getting 2 bags per acre.” Stefano Chifaguzi, Chololo farmer
Combining livestock and cropping
Contour terracing for soil conservation. accessagriculture. org
Improved seeds and community seed production New varieties of traditional crops were introduced – sorghum, pearl millet, cowpeas, groundnuts, and sunflower. Importantly, these seeds were not genetically modified nor were they hybrid seeds; they were all open pollinated seeds that the farmers could save for the next season, year after year. Community saving of seeds ensures a good supply for next year’s planting. Some of these varieties were developed in Tanzania by local scientists, supported by the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Intercropping and crop rotation Planting sorghum one year and pearl millet the next has increased the yield of both crops and helped control weeds, pest and diseases. Intercropping millet or sorghum with cowpeas or groundnut improves nitrogen supply, reduces pest damage, and provides the family with a balanced diet of staple grains, protein, and green leaves for essential vitamins. It also helps buffer household food security against single crop failure.
Farmers had not been spreading their animal manure on the fields prior to the project but now they spread on the soil before planting, improving soil fertility, soil structure and water holding capacity. Crop residues are fed back to the livestock, closing the cycle of nutrients. Benefits Yields have increased, income has increased, food is more secure, environmental damage is reduced and reversed, workload is reduced and resilience to climate change is increased, all without the use of agrochemicals or GM seeds. Results of the whole project include:286 √ √ √ √
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Average yields increased from 234kg/ha in 2012 to 351 kg/ha in 2014 Maize yields more than tripled; and pearl millet yields more than doubled 50 % of women are in leadership positions (up from 40% in 2012) The number of households eating 3 meals per day has doubled from 29 percent to 62 percent Average household income has increased 18% Women’s income has increased 64% The period of food shortage has reduced by 62% from 7.3 months to 2.8 months.
286 Chololo Ecovillage. Final evaluation – a 3 page summary. https://chololoecovillage.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/final-
evaluation-a-summary/
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