Umwagiliani |
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| Utangulizi |
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| Several studies conducted in Mbeya region regarding irrigation schemes by FAO (1961), Commonwealth Secretariat (1978-1980), Government initiative (1979-1980) and RIDEP (1982) concluded their reports by recommending Usangu Plains, Rukwa Basin , Kanga River Basin and Ulambya Plain for irrigation programmes. In Usangu Plains (Mbeya Rural), large and small scale, farms were recommended especially in Mbarali, Kapunga, Kimani and Igurusi. |
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Table XXIV indicates that Mbeya region has high irrigation potential still under exploited. Kyela and Ileje districts have the smallest number of land under irrigation. It has not been very clear why only few hectares are being irrigated in Kyela and Ileje. One reason could be probably high investment costs involved.
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| Farm Implements |
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Hand-hoe is the main tool for peasant farmers in Mbeya region. Oxdrawn ploughs technology is significantly spreading among the people. Mbeya Oxzenization Project (CIDA) has played a good role in training and educating peasant farmers on the use of ploughs and animal drawn implements (ridges, cultivators, carts etc). Table XXV shows the type and number of the agriculture equipments available.
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| Farm Inputs |
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Input requirements for agriculture in Mbeya region in 1993/94 season were 50,000 tons of fertilizer, 1,317 tons of improved seeds, 6,000,000 litres and 6,500 tons of liquid of different chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides. The supply of inputs in the region is always less than the actual requirement. Also, distribution system of inputs is inefficient as farmers get them late.
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It is observed from Table XXVIII that in all years under discussion, the input requirements and actual supply are two different things. For instance in 1990/91, actual supply was less by 50 percent, in 1991/92 by 0.1 percent, in 1992/93 by 41 percent and in 1993/94 actual supply of inputs was less by 45 percent. |
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| Storage Facilities |
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Post harvest loses are in most cases caused by poor food storage facilities. Poor storage facilities usually render food crops vulnerable to pests, moisture or rodents attack. Table XXIX below highlights the
situation pertaining to storage facilities in Mbeya Region. We would not give exactly the number of traditional granaries employed in each locality.
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shortage problem, the problem may be just the quality of the facilities. It was also reported that most of the godowns are not being utilised fully due to trade liberalisation, whereby traders (crop buyers) take the bought crops to markets immediately after purchase. In this regard, the traders do not see the need to store the crops in the godowns and hence render them useless. |
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Halmashauri < Idara na Taasisi < Mada  [ Nyumbani ] au |
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Rudi juu  |
