Amani Lazaro describes the limitations of how he and his community used to farm.

Amani was among the young farmers supported by World Vision to form commercially focused groups of producers to learn improved farming techniques. His decision to pursue horticulture farming in 2015 is already showing promise.

“We started off with off season maize production and water melon, and by May (2015) we had earned 300,000 Tsh (Tanzanian Shilling) (€120) on green maize and 200,000 (€80) on the selling of sweet water melon”

The majority of smallholder farmers in rural Tanzania depend entirely on rainfall to irrigate their crops, meaning their livelihoods are at the mercy of a changing and unpredictable climate. With 90% of households in Ndala relying on agriculture, many live a precarious existence. World Vision has been working with groups of producers in Tanzania to develop simple, low cost irrigation techniques to reduce dependency on unpredictable seasonal rainfall. This means taking maximum advantage of the little rain that does fall, so it can be harnessed to irrigate crops all year round.

A water pan is an excavated water storage structure that is used to impound and retain the water run-off from uncultivated ground, or roads. In central and western Tanzania, rain falls mostly in heavy showers where large amounts are lost as run-off and not captured by the soil to support crops to grow. World Vision has been promoting the use of water pans across Tanzania. Harvesting this water after rains makes it possible to irrigate crops throughout the year, while also making it available to livestock. Taking steps to adapt to a changing and unpredictable climate is essential for small holder farmers in Tanzania to provide for their families.

Heartened by the early gains, Amani and his producer group decided to expand operations and use the profits to invest in their farm to increase production. They purchased a motorised water pump worth 480,000 Tsh, allowing them to draw water collected in the pan and irrigate a larger area more easily.

“In June 2015, we decided to plant a one acre farm of tomato, and expanded our water pan so we can harvest more rainwater and work through the year”

However, increasing production alone will not necessarily raise incomes. While World Vision is supporting farmers groups in Tanzania to adopt climate-smart techniques to grow more crops, trainings in marketing and business skills are also crucial to enable farmers to make strategic, market-led decisions on what crops to grow, how to control quality and the skills to negotiate a good price. Amani’s group has secured orders from buyers in Nzega, the nearby market town, for in-demand produce such as tomato and water melon.

“We expect to earn 600,000 from tomato and 300,000 from water melon”

With both parents and children relying on Amani for support, there is tremendous pressure to provide in an environment where formal employment opportunities are scarce and traditional agriculture can be risky, with often low returns. However he is confident that horticulture farming now provides a viable livelihood for his family and community.

“We can support our parents as well as our children. We can build good permanent houses, and afford their basic needs, such as education and healthcare expenses, clothes and nutritious food. From here is a good journey!”

How You Can Help

• Sponsor a child: Sponsorship makes a long-term investment in the life of a child, his/her family and community, providing greater access to life-giving basics like nutritious food, clean water, medical care, and education -- the foundation for a future of independence and hope.
• Share our VISION: Be a part of our ongoing campaigns to raise awareness for children caught up in conflict and/or poverty by sharing this message with the world. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest to spread the word. Raise your voice and let others know how important it is to invest in the lives of children.

• Register Your Interest: Register here for tickets to an exclusive and completely free screening of the inspirational documentary Dukale’s Dream hosted by World Vision.