TECOSO PROGRAMS;
The main thematic sectors that make the integrated TECOSO package include -
FUNDING:
As an NGOs (not-for-profit) TECOSO relies on donations from individuals and businesses to be able to carry on with the projects and programmes vital to achieving its objectives. Please contact us for more information on how you can assist us.
TECOSO ACTIVITIES:
The programme is implementing land management activities organized in the following components.
1. TRAINING AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT:
This component includes basic and T.O.T training for extension staff and farmers on land management, training of village Soil Conservation Committees (VSCC), schools and specials groups, development of training materials, facilitation of study tours and on-farm demonstration sites.
2. SOIL CONSERVATION/SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT:
Geared at improving land productivity. The major activities in this component include:-
Soil erosion control (Biological and Physical) through:
* Construction and stabilization
* Use of vegetation in soil conservation/contour
* Gully control and rehabilitation
* Cut-off drains
* Fallowing and reseeding
3. AGRO-FORESTRY:
In the TECOSO contest Agroforestry is regarded as farm forest where agricultural crops, multipurpose tree species, livestock production, bee keeping and fish farming are raised in the same field. This component includes also tree planting for protection or conservation of water sheds, fodder shrubs and improvement of soil fertility. The main areas defined under this field include:
* Home gardens (agroforestry systems in high and mid potential areas)
* Dry land agroforestry systems (low lands).
* Promotion of indigenous tree species
* Tree seed collection, handling and processing
* Environmental conservation (river banks, catchment areas, i.e. hill tops, energy saving devices)
* Seedling's production (on farm and central tree nurseries)
* Integrated Bee keeping
* Integrated Fish farming
* Horticulture
* Hass avocado plantation
* Poultry
* Lather craft, tailoring, carpentry, welding, cultural tourism these activities will raise income for the communities especially women and youth. The youth and women will benefit self employment opportunity and become long term development experts where the benefits will remain in their communities of origin assets for their country's overall development agents.
4. RAIN WATER MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION:
Many parts of Rombo District suffer from agricultural drought on mismanagement of water, poor infiltration rates, erratic and unreliable rains and bad timing of plating season. Training is implemented to equip extension staff and farmers on management of overload flow, roof catchment and soil physical properties for averting agriculture drought. The main subjects tackled area:
* Water harvesting for domestic use including water tanks/jars, small scale dams
* Water for crop production including soil conversation structures, infiltration ditches, drip irrigation, small scale dams, rock catchment and sands dams.
* Water for livestock production - water-ponds, charcoal dams. Cost sharing for water harvesting structures: Farmer contribution is 40% and the programme 60%.
5. CROP PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT:
Crop productivity improvement will to contribute to increased food security and protect our soils. Processes involved in crop productivity improvement contribute to soil fertility improvement, improvement of soil physical and chemical properties and reduced overland flow. The main areas tacked under this component include:
* Promotion of agronomic practices
* Organic farming - Green Houses
* Production, processing and preservation of horticultural crops (Vegetables and fruits) "AVDRC"
* Promotion of post harvesting technologies
* Conservation tillage
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION:
Livestock production bears a lot to the livelihood of the rural communities. In many societies, however, production systems have remained traditional. If livestock keepers are well organized, trained and provided with relevant inputs this activity would positively contribute to the economic development. Basing an agro-ecological and social economic factors affecting livestock in Rombo District, the following subjects are emphasized:
* Zero grazing
* Rangeland productivity and improvement
* Pasture seeds production, packing and storage
* Pasture and fodder production and preservation
* Milk production, processing and storage
* Hides and skins processing
* Veterinary services (animal breeding, disease control)
7. GENDER EMPOWERMENT AND EQUITY:
Gender imbalances in many farming communities contributed negatively to the management and utilization of natural resources. Given equal opportunities to influence control and utilization of natural resources, both men and women play a key role in management of natural resources. The main activities promoted under this component include:
* Gender awareness creation
* Gender mainstreaming
* Gender analysis and planning
* Gender counting
* Organization and formation of development working groups
8. MARKETING:
In many farming communities, farming is done for subsistence with less deliberate intention of marketing. If small scale farmers and agro-pastoralists are exposed to entrepreneurial skills they would improve productivity, efficiency and therefore their living standards. The following are areas emphasized under this component:
* Smart farming
* Agribusiness
* Entrepreneurial skills
PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:
A good project depends primarily on its design, implementation strategies and competence of participants and stakeholders. Important subjects implemented under this component include:
* Project planning
* Monitoring and evaluation
* Project Management
* Follow up supervision
i. CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES:
National Agricultural Extension Programme (NAEP): Implemented together by the United Republic of Tanzania and World Bank. the programme among other things facilitates easy flow of technology from the researchers to extension and the farmers who are the end users of such technical information for improving their livestock, crop production vegetable production and preservation-AVDRC.
ii. HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL (HPI)
The project gives qualifying farmers in-calf heifers in the form of a loan to be paid back by returning the first and third female calf to the project. Formerly HPI had to undertake the whole process from provision of in-calf heifers, training farmers in the construction of cow sheds and fodder production, to offering livestock management extension services.
Since its inception, TECOSO has extended good and effective co-operation with Heifer Project International. RESEARCH CENTERS, TAHA, SAAGOT, SEED COMPANIES, KINAPA, TANAPA, SARI and TAWIRI. Through this co-operation TECOSO trains and assist farmers to conserve and manage their land focusing at increasing productivity. Fodder production promotion necessitates zero grazing systems, optimization of time and labor resources.
iii. LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Collaborate in development of training materials and dissemination of land management technologies.
iv. REGIONAL LAND MANAGEMENT UNIT (RELMA)
Provides technical support land management extension programmes in Tanzania. This includes technology development and testing, land management studies, development of training materials, conservation tillage on farm demonstration trails in Rombo districts, unified land management extension and rainwater harvesting activities in Rombo.
v. CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND RURAL TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION (CAMARTEC)
A centre for developing simple agricultural machinery and rural technology promotion.
vi. SELIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE (SARI)
It is a northern zone agriculture research institute.
vii. NJIRO WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTRE-TAWIRI (NWRC)
Conduct research and disseminate technology on bee keeping and processing of bee products.
viii. NATIONAL INSEMINATION CENTRE (NAIC) USA RIVER
Is a national artificial insemination centre providing their services to the northern zone.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TECOSO AT DIFFERENT LEVELS,
District Soil Conservation Committee (DSWCC) and District Environment Conservation Committees.
The former is a technical committee while the later is an administrative committee of councilors. Both committees act as advisory bodies in planning and execution of programme activities in the district. Major roles of these committees are to provide technical, administrative and moral assistance to the implementation of programme activities. Technical department related to overall goals and objectives of the programme are represented and reported on the activities by the staff attached to the programme.
THE DISTRICT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE (DSWCC)
This committee ensures that TECOSO activities are included in the district annual development plans and that the integrated approach of TECOSO is adhered to by all involved sector's departments. The members of the committee are:
* District Commissioner (DC) - Chairperson
* District Executive Director (DED) - Vice
* District Agriculture and Livestock Development Officer (DALDO) Secretary
* TECOSO Committee
Other Members of DSWCC include:
* District Natural Resources Officer (DNRO)
* District Planning Officer (DPLO)
* District Engineer (DE)
* District Land Officer (DLO)
* District Water Engineer (DWE)
* District Community Development Officer (DCDO)
* District Crop Development Officer (DCO)
* District Livestock Development Officer (DLDO)
* District Education Officer (DEO)
* District Medical Officer (DMO)-M&CH
PROGRAMME COORDINATING TEAM (PCT)
At Programme level, TECOSO activities are organized and implemented by programme Co-originating Team (PCT). PCT is an integrated and a multi-disciplinary team comprising of technical staff from Forestry, Agriculture, Community Development, Livestock and Water Development Officers. The team is responsible for planing and supervising the implantation of project activities at programme level. To execute their duties efficiently, PCT members work in close collaboration with extension staff, village governments and village/catchment/sub-catchment soil conservation committes.
EXTENSION STAFF
The PCT extension staff in planning, organization and implementation of project activities in their area of jurisdiction. Extension staff are responsible for organizing farmers training, study, tours, TECOSO promotion days and other field activities. Extension staff in various disciplines working in the same village work as a team, assisting village Soil Conservation Committees in undertaking their responsibilities of project implementation.
VILLAGE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEES (VSCC)
The major reason of having these committees actively participating in the programme is to ensure active participation of farmers in planning, implementation and sustaining programme achievements. The committees are composed of 8-10 farmers elected by other farmers in a catchment/sub-catchment. At least 3 members of the soil conservation committee should be women.
The VSCC are responsible for programme activities in their areas, including laying and construction of conservation structures, distribution of planting materials form the project, supervision an follow-up of project activities. To be able to implement these activities, members of VSCC are provided with traing through seminars, study tours and practical training in the field. Initially, VSCC will work under close supervison of extention staff and later on continue working on their own with minimum support from extension staff.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
While TECOSO is mainly responsible for management, technical support and supervision of project implementation, village governments are responsible for supervision at grass root level, follow-up and safeguarding of community interest in the whole programme.
It is the task of the village government to initiate interest in TECOSO activities and therefore mobilize and organized the farming communities during the preparatory and implementation stage.
Individual farmers construct soil conservation structures, plant trees and grass for stabilization of the structures and participate in various training's and meetings necessary for planning and implementation of the project.
VSCC would play a leading role in laying out soil conservation structures, supervision and follow-up of activities during project implementation.
GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION
The Government of Tanzania contribute to the programme with salaries, housing and health services for personnel involved directly or indirectly in the programme.
In addition the Government give administrational support, in monitoring and evaluation of the programme. It is estimated that the Government of Tanzania will contribute approx. 30% to the budget. The Government of Tanzania is likely to increase its share into the project due to increased awareness and obvious achievements attained.
PROGRAMME IMPACT
Level of awareness on land management and environment conservation has increased tremendously among the farming communities and integrated approach to land resource management has been promoted.
The hand book "Guidelines for soil conservation and agroforestry" (Mwongozo wa Hifadhi ya Ardhi na Kilimo Mseto) prepared by TECOSO together with different development leaflet will be useful to both farmers and extension staff. Land management is now among the important messages of the extension system.
Field visits by the project teams have been reduced in those programme areas where VSCC's are strong and level of awareness on land management among the farming communities has increased. Most of the soil conservation structures constructed in the previous years have stabilized and now developing into bench terraces. In the already conserved land, floods have stopped, soil erosion is minimum and soil fertility has improved.
Increased productivity on land has promoted gender balance in high potential areas of the programme. Individual farmers have expressed increase in crop and fodder production in the their well-managed fields as compared to those in the poorly managed ones. Integration of zero grazing in soil conservation activities has promoted land management activities. Today fodder is produced on contour bunds which has promoted zero grazing of dairy cattle and goats. Economy of the rural people have improved due to increased income from milk, fodder grass and crop production.
District Soil Conservation Committees have acquired high level of awareness concerning the programme activities. They now playing their role in mobilizing farmers' efforts and resources in ensuring that TECOSO is increasing its pace and coverage and prompting agricultural production.
The main thematic sectors that make the integrated TECOSO package include -
- Land management, environmental conservation and ecology services.
- The basic community development local services including Primary Healthcare, Education, Campaign against HIV/AIDS as well as Safe and Clean water.
- Advocacy and lobbying on issues of Environment, Education, Health and Social Economic Empowerment (SEEP) in the communities.
- Provides research support and other services to experts, visiting researchers and students (both local and international). Also we have a tendency to partner with both local and international education institutions worldwide.
- A great increase of water around the spring, in the water tapes and in Tarakea River.
- Traditional irrigation Canals was formed.
- Soil Erosion controlled.
- Wild animals, Birds and Bees returned.
- Natural Flora and Fauna returned.
- Combat Forest fires.
- Trachoma Diseases controlled.
FUNDING:
As an NGOs (not-for-profit) TECOSO relies on donations from individuals and businesses to be able to carry on with the projects and programmes vital to achieving its objectives. Please contact us for more information on how you can assist us.
TECOSO ACTIVITIES:
The programme is implementing land management activities organized in the following components.
1. TRAINING AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT:
This component includes basic and T.O.T training for extension staff and farmers on land management, training of village Soil Conservation Committees (VSCC), schools and specials groups, development of training materials, facilitation of study tours and on-farm demonstration sites.
2. SOIL CONSERVATION/SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT:
Geared at improving land productivity. The major activities in this component include:-
Soil erosion control (Biological and Physical) through:
* Construction and stabilization
* Use of vegetation in soil conservation/contour
* Gully control and rehabilitation
* Cut-off drains
* Fallowing and reseeding
3. AGRO-FORESTRY:
In the TECOSO contest Agroforestry is regarded as farm forest where agricultural crops, multipurpose tree species, livestock production, bee keeping and fish farming are raised in the same field. This component includes also tree planting for protection or conservation of water sheds, fodder shrubs and improvement of soil fertility. The main areas defined under this field include:
* Home gardens (agroforestry systems in high and mid potential areas)
* Dry land agroforestry systems (low lands).
* Promotion of indigenous tree species
* Tree seed collection, handling and processing
* Environmental conservation (river banks, catchment areas, i.e. hill tops, energy saving devices)
* Seedling's production (on farm and central tree nurseries)
* Integrated Bee keeping
* Integrated Fish farming
* Horticulture
* Hass avocado plantation
* Poultry
* Lather craft, tailoring, carpentry, welding, cultural tourism these activities will raise income for the communities especially women and youth. The youth and women will benefit self employment opportunity and become long term development experts where the benefits will remain in their communities of origin assets for their country's overall development agents.
4. RAIN WATER MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION:
Many parts of Rombo District suffer from agricultural drought on mismanagement of water, poor infiltration rates, erratic and unreliable rains and bad timing of plating season. Training is implemented to equip extension staff and farmers on management of overload flow, roof catchment and soil physical properties for averting agriculture drought. The main subjects tackled area:
* Water harvesting for domestic use including water tanks/jars, small scale dams
* Water for crop production including soil conversation structures, infiltration ditches, drip irrigation, small scale dams, rock catchment and sands dams.
* Water for livestock production - water-ponds, charcoal dams. Cost sharing for water harvesting structures: Farmer contribution is 40% and the programme 60%.
5. CROP PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT:
Crop productivity improvement will to contribute to increased food security and protect our soils. Processes involved in crop productivity improvement contribute to soil fertility improvement, improvement of soil physical and chemical properties and reduced overland flow. The main areas tacked under this component include:
* Promotion of agronomic practices
* Organic farming - Green Houses
* Production, processing and preservation of horticultural crops (Vegetables and fruits) "AVDRC"
* Promotion of post harvesting technologies
* Conservation tillage
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION:
Livestock production bears a lot to the livelihood of the rural communities. In many societies, however, production systems have remained traditional. If livestock keepers are well organized, trained and provided with relevant inputs this activity would positively contribute to the economic development. Basing an agro-ecological and social economic factors affecting livestock in Rombo District, the following subjects are emphasized:
* Zero grazing
* Rangeland productivity and improvement
* Pasture seeds production, packing and storage
* Pasture and fodder production and preservation
* Milk production, processing and storage
* Hides and skins processing
* Veterinary services (animal breeding, disease control)
7. GENDER EMPOWERMENT AND EQUITY:
Gender imbalances in many farming communities contributed negatively to the management and utilization of natural resources. Given equal opportunities to influence control and utilization of natural resources, both men and women play a key role in management of natural resources. The main activities promoted under this component include:
* Gender awareness creation
* Gender mainstreaming
* Gender analysis and planning
* Gender counting
* Organization and formation of development working groups
8. MARKETING:
In many farming communities, farming is done for subsistence with less deliberate intention of marketing. If small scale farmers and agro-pastoralists are exposed to entrepreneurial skills they would improve productivity, efficiency and therefore their living standards. The following are areas emphasized under this component:
* Smart farming
* Agribusiness
* Entrepreneurial skills
PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:
A good project depends primarily on its design, implementation strategies and competence of participants and stakeholders. Important subjects implemented under this component include:
* Project planning
* Monitoring and evaluation
* Project Management
* Follow up supervision
i. CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES:
National Agricultural Extension Programme (NAEP): Implemented together by the United Republic of Tanzania and World Bank. the programme among other things facilitates easy flow of technology from the researchers to extension and the farmers who are the end users of such technical information for improving their livestock, crop production vegetable production and preservation-AVDRC.
ii. HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL (HPI)
The project gives qualifying farmers in-calf heifers in the form of a loan to be paid back by returning the first and third female calf to the project. Formerly HPI had to undertake the whole process from provision of in-calf heifers, training farmers in the construction of cow sheds and fodder production, to offering livestock management extension services.
Since its inception, TECOSO has extended good and effective co-operation with Heifer Project International. RESEARCH CENTERS, TAHA, SAAGOT, SEED COMPANIES, KINAPA, TANAPA, SARI and TAWIRI. Through this co-operation TECOSO trains and assist farmers to conserve and manage their land focusing at increasing productivity. Fodder production promotion necessitates zero grazing systems, optimization of time and labor resources.
iii. LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Collaborate in development of training materials and dissemination of land management technologies.
iv. REGIONAL LAND MANAGEMENT UNIT (RELMA)
Provides technical support land management extension programmes in Tanzania. This includes technology development and testing, land management studies, development of training materials, conservation tillage on farm demonstration trails in Rombo districts, unified land management extension and rainwater harvesting activities in Rombo.
v. CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND RURAL TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION (CAMARTEC)
A centre for developing simple agricultural machinery and rural technology promotion.
vi. SELIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE (SARI)
It is a northern zone agriculture research institute.
vii. NJIRO WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTRE-TAWIRI (NWRC)
Conduct research and disseminate technology on bee keeping and processing of bee products.
viii. NATIONAL INSEMINATION CENTRE (NAIC) USA RIVER
Is a national artificial insemination centre providing their services to the northern zone.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TECOSO AT DIFFERENT LEVELS,
District Soil Conservation Committee (DSWCC) and District Environment Conservation Committees.
The former is a technical committee while the later is an administrative committee of councilors. Both committees act as advisory bodies in planning and execution of programme activities in the district. Major roles of these committees are to provide technical, administrative and moral assistance to the implementation of programme activities. Technical department related to overall goals and objectives of the programme are represented and reported on the activities by the staff attached to the programme.
THE DISTRICT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE (DSWCC)
This committee ensures that TECOSO activities are included in the district annual development plans and that the integrated approach of TECOSO is adhered to by all involved sector's departments. The members of the committee are:
* District Commissioner (DC) - Chairperson
* District Executive Director (DED) - Vice
* District Agriculture and Livestock Development Officer (DALDO) Secretary
* TECOSO Committee
Other Members of DSWCC include:
* District Natural Resources Officer (DNRO)
* District Planning Officer (DPLO)
* District Engineer (DE)
* District Land Officer (DLO)
* District Water Engineer (DWE)
* District Community Development Officer (DCDO)
* District Crop Development Officer (DCO)
* District Livestock Development Officer (DLDO)
* District Education Officer (DEO)
* District Medical Officer (DMO)-M&CH
PROGRAMME COORDINATING TEAM (PCT)
At Programme level, TECOSO activities are organized and implemented by programme Co-originating Team (PCT). PCT is an integrated and a multi-disciplinary team comprising of technical staff from Forestry, Agriculture, Community Development, Livestock and Water Development Officers. The team is responsible for planing and supervising the implantation of project activities at programme level. To execute their duties efficiently, PCT members work in close collaboration with extension staff, village governments and village/catchment/sub-catchment soil conservation committes.
EXTENSION STAFF
The PCT extension staff in planning, organization and implementation of project activities in their area of jurisdiction. Extension staff are responsible for organizing farmers training, study, tours, TECOSO promotion days and other field activities. Extension staff in various disciplines working in the same village work as a team, assisting village Soil Conservation Committees in undertaking their responsibilities of project implementation.
VILLAGE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEES (VSCC)
The major reason of having these committees actively participating in the programme is to ensure active participation of farmers in planning, implementation and sustaining programme achievements. The committees are composed of 8-10 farmers elected by other farmers in a catchment/sub-catchment. At least 3 members of the soil conservation committee should be women.
The VSCC are responsible for programme activities in their areas, including laying and construction of conservation structures, distribution of planting materials form the project, supervision an follow-up of project activities. To be able to implement these activities, members of VSCC are provided with traing through seminars, study tours and practical training in the field. Initially, VSCC will work under close supervison of extention staff and later on continue working on their own with minimum support from extension staff.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
While TECOSO is mainly responsible for management, technical support and supervision of project implementation, village governments are responsible for supervision at grass root level, follow-up and safeguarding of community interest in the whole programme.
It is the task of the village government to initiate interest in TECOSO activities and therefore mobilize and organized the farming communities during the preparatory and implementation stage.
Individual farmers construct soil conservation structures, plant trees and grass for stabilization of the structures and participate in various training's and meetings necessary for planning and implementation of the project.
VSCC would play a leading role in laying out soil conservation structures, supervision and follow-up of activities during project implementation.
GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION
The Government of Tanzania contribute to the programme with salaries, housing and health services for personnel involved directly or indirectly in the programme.
In addition the Government give administrational support, in monitoring and evaluation of the programme. It is estimated that the Government of Tanzania will contribute approx. 30% to the budget. The Government of Tanzania is likely to increase its share into the project due to increased awareness and obvious achievements attained.
PROGRAMME IMPACT
Level of awareness on land management and environment conservation has increased tremendously among the farming communities and integrated approach to land resource management has been promoted.
The hand book "Guidelines for soil conservation and agroforestry" (Mwongozo wa Hifadhi ya Ardhi na Kilimo Mseto) prepared by TECOSO together with different development leaflet will be useful to both farmers and extension staff. Land management is now among the important messages of the extension system.
Field visits by the project teams have been reduced in those programme areas where VSCC's are strong and level of awareness on land management among the farming communities has increased. Most of the soil conservation structures constructed in the previous years have stabilized and now developing into bench terraces. In the already conserved land, floods have stopped, soil erosion is minimum and soil fertility has improved.
Increased productivity on land has promoted gender balance in high potential areas of the programme. Individual farmers have expressed increase in crop and fodder production in the their well-managed fields as compared to those in the poorly managed ones. Integration of zero grazing in soil conservation activities has promoted land management activities. Today fodder is produced on contour bunds which has promoted zero grazing of dairy cattle and goats. Economy of the rural people have improved due to increased income from milk, fodder grass and crop production.
District Soil Conservation Committees have acquired high level of awareness concerning the programme activities. They now playing their role in mobilizing farmers' efforts and resources in ensuring that TECOSO is increasing its pace and coverage and prompting agricultural production.
