PASS kusaidia maendeleo ya kilimo

Asasi ya Kusaidia Uwekezaji Kwenye Kilimo (PASS) imeanzisha huduma mpya zitakazo rahisisha upatikanaji wa mikopo inayolenga kusaidia maendeleo ya sekta ya kilimo nchini.

Hayo yalisemwa jana na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa PASS, Iddy Lujina, katika mkutano ulioshrikisha mabenki mbalimbali kwa ajili ya kuzitambulisha huduma hizo mpya kwa lengo la kusaidia kilimo.

“Tumeona kuna umuhimu wa kuongeza upatakanaji wa huduma zetu kwa wadau wengi zaidi kwa maendeleo ya sekta hii nyeti nchini,” alisema, Lujina.

Alisema huduma hizo mpya ni pamoja na kuwezesha mabenki kujiongoza zenyewe kufanya tathimni na kutoa mikopo kwa wakulima kwa dhamana ya mikopo iliyo chini ya Sh. milioni 15.

Kusaidia benki ndogondogo kupata mikopo kutoka katika mabenki makubwa ili nazo ziweze kutoa mikopo kwa wakulima wadogo.

Kusaidia kuanzisha mfuko wa dhamana wa asasi hiyo katika benki mbalimbali kwa ajili ya kukopesha wakulima bila kuhamisha dhamana hiyo kutoka benki moja kwenda nyingine.

Huduma nyingine ni kusaidia upatakanaji wa mashine na matrekta kwa ajili ya kukopesha wakulima kushiriki katika kilimo cha kisasa na kusindika mazao yao.

Lujina alisema hadi sasa wametoa matrekta 190, na wanahitaji kupanua zaidi huduma kwa kushirikiana na wadau mbalimbali ili kusaidia wakulima wengi zaidi.

Muwakilishi kutoka benki ya CRDB, Mussa Lwila, alisema benki hiyo inashirikiana na PASS kwa kipindi cha miaka kumi sasa na wameweza kuwafikia wakulima 300 nchi nzima wanaojishughulisha na kilimo kama mtu mmoja na makundi.

Mshauri wa PASS kutoka kampuni ya Inspired International, Richard Pelrine, alisema PASS imejipanga kuhakikisha wakulima wengi wanafaidika na mikopo toka taasisi hiyo kwa ajili ya kujiendeleza na nchi kwa ujumla.

Agricultural Value Chains and ICT

ICTs play an important role in agricultural value chains, with different types of ICT having different strengths and weaknesses when applied to particular interventions. The impacts of ICT are diverse, and they influence market competitiveness in different ways. However, technology should not overshadow the people and institutions involved. While the positive impacts of ICT are being catalogued and discussed, many rural farmers still do not have access to or the capacity to use ICT.

It is clear the impact of ICT in Agriculture Value Chains is diverse, and influences the market competitiveness in different ways. Given the importance of context and the rapid development technology, it can be difficult to determine whether the appropriate tool now will persist in being the appropriate tool in the future. In this section, you can find a wide range of materials that look at key opportunities and challenges of ICT interventions in the agricultural value chain with a special focus on the most beneficial interventions in rural areas. Source:E-agriculture

Tips in Storing Fresh Tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes ready for harvest

Tomatoes can be kept field fresh for a period of three weeks without using cold storage[2]. One economical alternative is to use the Evaporative Cooling and Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) Technology which prolongs the storage life of fresh tomatoes under ordinary condition using coco coir dust, polyethylene (PE) plastic packaging and a suitable crate or container. Tomatoes to be stored must be green, firm and free from injury and mechanical damage to maximize the benefits of this technology. Otherwise, storage period will be shorter than what is expected. Steps: Wash the tomatoes in water with chlorox (1 tablespoon of chlorox for every 1 liter of water) to disinfect the fruits from pathogenic microorganisms. Dry the tomatoes and pack in PE bags with 2 pinpricks per kilogram of tomatoes. Moisten the coir dust with chlorox-mixed water and line the base of the container with this. Place the packed tomatoes in the middle and cover with moist coir dust. It is recommended that a kilo of coir dust be used per kilo of tomatoes. How does this technology work for tomato plants? The PE bag modifies the tomato surrounding by decreasing oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide. These delay ripening and discoloration of the peel, reduce weight loss and moisture loss, and reduce in injuries from chilling. The cooling effect of moist coir dust, on one hand, also delays ripening of tomato.

Five Things to Remember in Corn Production

The following are the five key technologies[1] one should remember in pursuit of better profitability in corn: Seed selection – choose the best adapted hybrid for your area and your needs. Plant population – ensure proper planting distance; each hybrid you choose has specific recommended planting distance or seeding rate. Balanced fertilization – follow the recommended fertilization rate for your field; even better would be soil analysis for your field. Pest control – timely and effective control or management of diseases, insect pests, and weeds; you get to know them. Water management – take note of the critical stages where your corn needs the most water and where it is most sensitive to water stress Selecting the Best Corn Hybrid A farmer needs to spend time evaluating the quality of his previous corn crops and think of possible ways to improve and maximize harvest in the next season. The following are a few helpful tips in selecting the corn hybrid: Check yield consistency across locations and over years. Stability in yield is very important in choosing hybrids since the environment is more significant than individual management practices. For sure, this year’s growing season won’t be the same as last year. Such seasonal differences will surely surprise growers who rely so much on limited observations. However, in selecting a hybrid, take note that possession of a particular trait, such as big ears, many kernel rows, deep kernels, prolificacy, or upright leaves do not ensure high yields. Instead, look for stability in performance across environments. Know your hybrid’s maturity. If you planted late in the dry season, select an early-maturing hybrid so you could avoid the rains during the harvesting and drying period. With full season hybrids, physiological maturity or “black layer” formation will be late resulting in inadequate kernel maturity, wet grains (high moisture), and challenging and costly post-harvest environment at the onset of the wet season. Generally, full season hybrids (>110 days) usually outyield early maturing ones. However, recently developed short maturing hybrids can produce the same yield as the full season types. It is best therefore to take a look at your chosen hybrid’s maturity profile from brochures, flyers, and even from agronomists assigned in your area. Take advantage of new genetics. It has always been proven that new elite genetics will outperform the old ones. Current hybrids in the market are more tolerant to diseases, high density planting, and even drought. Use hybrids with good agronomics. By these we mean good tolerance to various environmental stresses in the form of diseases, insect pests, and strong winds. Likewise critical is the standability or the ability of the roots and stalks to withstand high winds. High incidence of lodging will definitely slow down harvest and decrease yield in both quantity and quality. Things to check for can be thick stalk rind (genetic stalk strength plant height), ear placement, and resistance to stalk diseases. Plant only high-quality seeds with excellent emergence potential. Make sure to get your seeds from companies that strive for excellent seed quality and after-sales customer service. Know you target market. Tall, leafy hybrids can be an ideal choice for the silage market while those targeting feed millers should rely on hybrids with good protein levels. For processing, oil and starch content will be important. In Mindanao, white corn grits generally command a better price than yellow grains and has good consumer base. Hence, pay attention to the kind of market you want and adjust your hybrid choices accordingly. Talk to your local Pioneer representative about performance data and other selection criteria. Because weather conditions are unpredictable the reliable way to select hybrids is to consider performance (from company trials) last year and this year over a wide range of environments and locations. Don’t rely too heavily on on farm strip tests or on just one trial location because it cannot predict hybrid performance in different conditions. On-farm trials however can be useful in getting certain traits evaluated such as harvestability (ease of harvesting). grain quality, disease resistance, and lodging tolerance.

Additional information can also be obtained from your agronomist regarding the need for insect resistance (corn) and new weed management options (glyphosate-tolerant corn) in your area depending on what time of the year. You can also consult for other minor considerations before you purchase. These may include certain management interactions with your hybrid corn from plant population, tillage, soil fertility, crop rotation, etc.

Official Google Africa Blog: Searching for creative young minds

Official Google Africa Blog: Searching for creative young minds

JK: Sekta binafsi ziwekeze katika kilimo

RAIS Jakaya Kikwete, amesema sekta YA kilimo inaweza kukua kwa kiasi kikubwa kama tu sekta binafsi za ndani na nje ya nchini, zitajikita katika uwekezaji ndani ya sekta hiyo. Akizungumza katika mkutano wa mageuzi ya kilimo uliowakutanisha mawaziri wa kilimo kutoka nchi saba barani Afrika, mabalozi, wawekezaji na mashirika mbalimbali jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Rais Kikwete alisema ili nchi za Afrika zipige hatua katika kilimo, lazima ziwashirikishe wawezekaji wa sekta binafsi. “Tunapaswa kuishirikisha sekta binafsi katika kuinua kilimo na kujenga viwanda vya kuzalishia mbegu bora,” alisema Rais. Alisema mkutano uliofanyika Dar es Salaam kuhusu kilimo, uliangalia zaidi uwekezaji katika mikoa inayojitosheleza kwa uzalishaji wa chakula, ambayo ni Mbeya, Rukwa, Iringa, Ruvuma, Morogoro na Kigoma Alisema mkutano huo uliazimia kuwatafuta wawekezaji wakubwa wa ndani na nje ya nchi, ili watafute njia bora ya kuwasaidia wakulima wadogo. “Hawa wawekezaji tulikubaliana kuwa wakija kufanya shughuli zao za kilimo, wawashirikishe pia wakulima wadogo,” alisema Rais Kikwete. Alisema katika mpango huo unaozihusisha nchi za Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Msumbiji na Kenya, utakuwa mfano mzuri kwa nchi nyingine za Afrika. “Hapa Tanzania tuna mpango mzuri wa Kilimo Kwanza, mpango ambao kwa kweli umezivutia nchi nyingi Afrika,” alisema. Katika hatua nyingine Waziri wa Kilimo, Chakula na Ushirika Profesa Jumanne Maghembe, alisema usalama wa chakula hauwezi kuimarika kama hakutakuwa na njia bora za kuinua sekta ya kilimo. Alisema wakati umefika wa kuondokana na mfumo wa familia moja kuzalisha magunia nane ya mazao mbalimbali na badale yake kuwa na mfumo wa kuzalisha magunia 400 kwa kutumia njia za kilimo za kisasa na si kwa kutumia jembe la mkono Profesa Maghembe alisema moja ya masuala yatakayojadiliwa katika mkutano huo ni kuboresha kilimo, kwa kuhimiza matumizi ya mbegu bora, mbolea na dawa ya kuzuia mazao kushambuliwa na wadudu. Kwa upande wake, Waziri wa Kilimo wa Kenya, Dk Sally Kosgei, aliliambia Mwananchi kuwa tatizo kubwa linalozifanya nchi za Afrika kukumbwa na njaa mara kwa mara ni mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa. Dk Kosgei alisema ili kuondokana na hali hiyo, nchi za Afrika zinapaswa kitu kimoja na kushirikiana katika kuleta mapinduzi kwenye kilimo. Mkutano huo utakaokuja na mapendekezo ya pamoja kuhusu jinsi ya kuinua sekta ya kilimo katika nchi za Afrika, ulianza juzi na kumalizika jana. Chanzo:Gazeti la Mwananchi

Maghembe: Mchango wa kilimo kwenye Pato la Taifa hauridhishi

WAZIRI wa Kilimo, Chakula na Ushirika, Profesa Jumanne Maghembe amesema kuwa kiwango ambacho sekta ya kilimo inachangia katika Pato la Taifa hakiridhishi, hali inayoonyesha biashara si nzuri katika eneo hilo. Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari jana jijini Dar es Salaam Prof Maghembe alisema kuwa kazi kubwa inahitajika kufanyika katika sekta hiyo ili kuweza kuongeza uchangiaji wake katika Pato la Taifa. Alisema asilimia nne ambayo sekta hiyo inachangia katika Pato la Taifa wakati asilimia 85 ya Watanzania wanategemea kilimo kupata kipato chao, ni wazi bado nchi iko nyuma katika eneo hilo. "Asilimia hiyo nne inaonekana ni kitu kikubwa na sekta inakuwa vizuri. Lakini bado kwa nafasi hiyo kiasi tunachozalisha ni kidogo na hakitoshi," alisema Prof Maghembe na kuongeza; "Nia yetu kwenye kilimo siyo urembo wala mitindo bali ni biashara ambayo inahitaji kubadilika na ndiyo maana tumekiweka kuwa namba moja." Maghembe alisema kumekuwa na matatizo ya kutokuwepo chakula cha kutosha lakini Serikali imejitahidi kuhakikisha wananchi hawafi kwa njaa na imeweza kutoa chakula kwa asilimia 95 kwa wanan Chanzo: Mwananchi