Environmental policy and administrative management

Context Two-thirds of Same district is highland. 70% of residents are farmers. Therefore, farming is carried out on slopes which in many areas are quite steep. This topography is presenting the following problems: (i) There is serious erosion, which has reduced soil fertility; (ii) Crop yield per unit area is very low (iii) There is plenty of run off during rainy season, which causes erosion in the highlands and floods in the lowlands. It is within the context of these challenges that this proposed project was conceived. The project aims at address these challenges by promoting rainwater harvesting techniques in order to utilize rain surface run off before it is wasted, introducing intensive farming to increase crop productivity to small household plots and encouraging short maturing crop varieties. The project will be implemented in the four wards of Mwembe, Mhezi, Mshewa and Msindo all in Same District. About the Proponent The NGO started as a Belgian supported programme in the 1980 s. In late 1990 s, it was handed over to the people of Same, who decided to transform it into an autonomous NGO. Although it is based at Hedaru, the NGO has operations in different parts of the district. Project Objective To contribute to appropriate management of land in the highland areas of Same district through soil erosion control and conservation of rainwater with the view to promoting sustainable agriculture. Implementation Strategy 1. Form farmers groups for strategic participation in project implementation 2. Conduct training of farmers in soil and water conservation 3. Use of bench terraces to arrest soil erosion 4. Harvesting of surface run-off through micro-dams locally known as Ndiva 5. Promotion of agroforestry farming

Tanzania