IGUNGA residents have a bright economic and social future, thanks to an ambitious Eco-village project that envisages increasing farmers’ resilience towards the adverse effects of climate change.
The five-year project, which
Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Mwigulu Nchemba launched
at Mwanzugi village in Tabora’s Igunga District on Tuesday evening,
introduces new techniques to address climate change and protects farmers
against the consequences of climate change.
“Igunga Eco-village project is a
participatory approach to improve the life standard of Igunga residents
through sustainable strategies against the effects of climate change,”
Heifer Tanzania Country Director Henry Njakoi said at the launching
ceremony, noting that the project seeks to improve supply of clean and
safe water, boost agriculture, livestock and fishery production as well
as proper management of natural resources and environment.
The project, according to Dr Njakoi,
will directly benefit 6,000 households, with 36,000 people in Igunga and
Mbutu wards that cover 10 villages -Mbutu, Mwang’halanga, Bukama,
Mwabakima, Ibutamisuzi, Igunga, Makomero, Mgongolo, Mwanzugi and
Isugilo.
Heifer Nederland, Heifer International
Tanzania, Aqua for All, International Centre of Insect Physiology and
Ecology and Igunga District Council are co-executing the over 5bn/-
European Union funded project that has so far proved to be helpful to
farmers.
Through the 240 demonstration farms,
peasants have received training on modern farming and livestock keeping
techniques, environmental management, with total beneficiaries of the
project estimated at 72,000.
Minister Mwigulu, in a speech read on
his behalf by Tabora Regional Commissioner (RC), Aggrey Mwanri,
appreciated the project implementers, urging Igunga residents to
participate actively in the project, which has huge potential of
transforming their lives.
“Integration of fish farming in rice
paddies is one of the new, impressive techniques that the project offers
... through this approach, you will harvest rice and fish at the same
time, drastically increasing your earnings,” the newly appointed RC told
Igunga residents at Mwamapuli Cooperative offices.
Heifer Nederland Executive Director Rian
Fokker, speaking at the well attended launch, said the project partners
were determined to execute the project with precision through testing
of various approaches in the field.
“We test various approaches in the field
and learn from such tests ...we then share the best practices with
other stakeholders,” said Ms Fokker, asking the government to replicate
the Igunga model to other places of the country.
Farmers, speaking at their demonstration
farms at Mbutu, Makomero and Mwanzugi villages, thanked all the
organisations behind the project, saying they have learned a lot on best
farming practices.
They expressed optimisms of getting
bumper harvests this year as a result of the training acquired. “We have
received good education on farming ... we used to harvest hardly 25
bags of rice from one acre but we are looking forward to harvest about
60 bags this year,” said Njena Paulo, a farmer and member of Mshikamano
group at Makomero village
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