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1Hadithi za Mafanikio

UTANGULIZI

Kwa kiasi kikubwa tunaishi katika dunia inayofanya watu wenye tamaduni za muda mrefu wawe na mashaka na hivyo kuwa wagumu kusikikiliza na kuamini uyasemayo, kusita kutumia bidhaa au mafunzo unayowapa au huduma unayotoa. Hadithi za mafanikio ni mbinu na njia kubwa ya kushawishi walengwa kufanya au kutekeleza kusudio lolote. Hadithi za mafanikio huelezea maisha ya watu au jamii ya watu walionufaika na mradi huku hadithi hizo zikiambatana na picha na michoro. Huelezea changamoto mbali mbali, tabia au tamaduni na fursa zipatikanazo, mashirikiano tofauti yanayojengwa katika kutatua changamoto zilizopo na mafanikio au matokeo ya juhudi mbali mbali zilizofanywa.

Tofauti na hadithi nyingi za mafanikio ambazo hulenga wafadhili,watumiaji wa kwanza wa hadithi hizi ni walengwa wenyewe ambao ni wakulima wadogo wadogo. hadithi hizi zinakusudia kuchagiza wakulima hawa kutekeleza mafunzo waliyopata, kufanya mambo yaliyofanikiwa sehemu nyingine katika jamii zao ambazo bado wana changamoto zinazofanana na walizosoma hapa na kupanua kilimo chao na kukifanya kiwe cha tija zaidi. Kwa wadau na wafadhili hadithi hizi zinalenga kujivunia matokeo na mafanikio yaliyopatikana kutokana na ushauri wa kitaalamu na ule wa kifedha. Mafunzo yaliyopatikana yatasaidia kuboresha miradi kama hii siku za usoni.

WISE inalishukuru shirika la Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) kwa ufadhili wake uliouwezesha mradi wa FOCEP matokeo ambayo ni sehemu ya hadithi hizi za mafanikio.

UONGOZI WA WISE

November 2016

Hadithi za Mafanikio2

YALIYOMO

1.0 CHANZO CHA MAPATO ZAIDI YA KIMOJA KIMEONGEZA

FURSA KWA WANAJUMUIYA YA WAKULIMA UTENGULE

............................................................................................................ 3

2.0 KILULU SACCOS CHANZO CHA MITAJI KWA

WAKULIMA ................................................................................... 6

3.0 UONGOZI UNAOJITUMA WA JUMUIYA YA

WAKULIMA SONGAMBELE ...................................................... 9

4.0 UONGOZI WENYE MAONO WA JUMUIYA YA

WAKULIMA SEKONDARI .......................................................... 12

5.0 “INAWEZEKANA” KILIMO CHA KISASA KIMEBORESHA

MAISHA YANGU - MZEE KAYOMBO ..................................... 15

6.0 SAFARI YA MABADILIKO KUTOKA KATIKA VICOBA

KUWA SACCOS IMARA ............................................................ 18

7.0 UMOJA NI NGUVU, WAKULIMA WA JUMUIYA YA

WAKULIMA BOMAMZINGA WAINUANA KIUCHUMI ... 21

8.0 MIFUMO IMARA NA INAYOFANYA KAZI KATIKA JUMUIYA

NI MKOMBOZI WETU - JUMUIYA YA WAKULIMA MBASA

MLIMANI ........................................................................................ 24

10. HITIMISHO .................................................................................... 27


Changamoto

Kutokidhi vigezo vya watoa huduma wa taasisi za kifedha kuliifanya Jumuiya ya wakulima utengule inayohudumia wakulima wadogo wadogo ambao ni wanachama wa Jumuiya hii kushindwa kukuza ajira yao kuu ambayo ni kilimo na hivyo kuendelea kuishi katika lindi la umaskini.

Hatua

Kupitia mradi wa kuimarisha uwezo wa Jumuiya za wakulima unaofadhiliwa na AGRA maarufu kama FOCEP, Jumuiya za wakulima zilipata mafunzo ya ujasiriamali, umuhimu wa kuwa na chanzo cha mapato zaidi ya kimoja, umuhimu wa kuweka akiba na kuwekeza na hivyo kuachana na tabia ya

CHANZO CHA MAPATO ZAIDI YA KIMOJA KIMEONGEZA FURSA KWA

WANAJUMUIYA YA WAKULIMA UTENGULE

1


kutumia hela zote. Pia zilielimishwa umuhimu wa kuhakikisha akaunti zao za Benki zinafanya kazi muda wote. Baada ya mafunzo Jumuiya ya wakulima Utengule iliamua kuweka mikakati itakayoifanya Jumuiya yao si tu iwe na uhai bali pia ivutie usaidizi wa kifedha na kitaalam.

Akielezea hatua walizochukua Hassan Kalimangasi, katibu wa Jumuiya alisema”elimu tuliyopata ilitupa upeo wa kujadili na kufanya maamuzi yatakayoiwezesha Jumuiya yetu na wanachama kubadili maisha yetu kwa kuweza kuvutia usaidizi wa kifedha. Tuliamua kuanzisha mradi wa kuku kwa kuchangishana kuku wawili wawili, tulijitangaza ngazi mbali mbali jambo lililotuwezesha kupata usaidizi toka mradi wa Halmashauri ya wilaya idara ya Maliasili ambapo licha ya mafunzo ya ufugaji nyuki kibiashara tulipewa mizinga 25 kuanzisha mradi wa ufugaji nyuki. Jumuiya yetu imeweza kupata pump ya mkopo kutoka WISE jambo lililoiwezesha kulima mpunga wa kiangazi kama shamba darasa la Jumuiya heka moja. Ili kunufaika mwanachama mmoja mmoja, wanachama waliweza kuweka azimio la kila wanachama kulima mpunga kitaalamu katika msimu ujao wa kilimo. Pia Jumuiya yetu ilianzisha kibubu/vikoba ambapo kila wiki mwanachama hupanda hisa”.

Matokeo

Baadhi ya matokeo yaliyokwisha patikana ni pamoja na mizinga yote 25 ina nyuki, Jumuiya ina mradi wa ufugaji wa kuku wenye thamani ya shilingi 800,000/= ambapo ina jumla ya kuku 60 kati ya hao mitemba ni 30 na jogoo 30, tuna vikoba kila wiki tunakutana kwa ajili ya kukusanya akiba za wanachama na kila mwezi tunapeleka benki laki tatu na tuna mradi wa umwagiliaji wa mboga mboga na kilimo cha mpunga wa kiangazi baada ya kuweza kukopeshwa pampu ya umwagiliaji na shirika la wise. Msimu wa kilimo uliopita 2015/16 tuliweza kununua viua tilifu vyenye thamani ya 3,482,000/= na msimu huu wa 2016/17 vyenye thamani ya 9,000,000/=.


Mtazamo na matarajio

Jumuiya ya wakulima utengule iko mbioni kusajili SACCOS yake kutokana na fedha wanazopanda hisa. Ni kwa kupitia SACCOs hii si tu wanachama wetu ambao ni wakulima wadogo wadogo watajikwamua kiuchumi kupitia mikopo midogo midogo bali wataweza kuwa na miradi mingi ambayo italeta kipato cha ziada kama vile duka la pembejeo n.k na hivyo wakulima wanachama kupata fursa ya kujikwamua na umaskini.

Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya Jumuiya ya wakulima Utengule?

(ii) Utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kuwa na vyanzo vya mapato vingi ili kujihakikishia uendelevu?

(iii) Mkakati gani utakaotumia ili kuhakikisha maazimio mnayofikia mnayatekeleza na yasibaki kuwa maneno matupu?

(iv) Utapimaje maendeleo na mafanikio yaliyofikiwa katika utekelezaji wa maazimio yenu?


2

Changamoto

Kutofikika na taasisi za kiserikali na zile zisizo za kiselikali ikiwemo kampuni binafsi kulitufanya, wakulima wa Luvambo A, Luvambo B na Kisewe kuwa na mitaji midogo na kujihusisha na kilimo cha mpunga kisicho na tija na hivyo kuendelea kuwa maskini. Kama wakulima wadogo wadogo wanachama wa Jumuiya za wakulima tulikuwa hatuna elimu ya namna mbalimbali ya wakulima kujiwezesha wenyewe ili waweze kujikopesha au kukopesheka. Mradi wa FOCEP ulitufundisha namna gani tunaweza kuvua samaki hivyo mradi ukiisha tuweze kuendelea kwenda bwawani kuvua samaki wenyewe.

KILULU SACCOS CHANZO CHA MITAJI KWA WAKULIMA


Hatua

Kwa kadiri ya maelezo ya Mahona Mahona ambaye ni mwenyekiti wa SACCOS ya KILULU anasema, “tulianza kwa kuhudhuria semina kutoka shirika la WISE na baadae kuletewa elimu ya moja kwa moja ndani ya jumuiya zetu za wakulima juu ya masuala ya fedha. Mbinu hizo zilibainisha namna ya kuwa na vyanzo vya ndani vya fedha kupitia mifumo mbalimbali ikiwemo kibubu, vikoba na SACCOs. Baada ya semina na mafunzo hayo viongozi wa Jumuiya hizi tatu za Luvambo A, Luvambo B na Kisewe tulikaa na kufanya uchambuzi wa kina na kwa kuwashirikisha wanachama wetu. Kwa uchache wetu tuliazimia kuanzisha SACCOs ambayo itaitwa KILULU. SACCOs hii itaunganisha jumuiya tatu ambazo zipo katika kijiji kimoja cha Ipugasa. Jumuiya hizo ni Kisewe, Luvambo A na Luvambo B, KI- inawakilisha Kisewe, LU -inawakilisha Luvambo A, LU- inawakilisha Luvambo B. KILULU ina wanachama 45 na hisa moja ya KILULU ni shilingi 15,000/= ambazo kila mwanachama anatakiwa awe ameshalipa kufikia 30 August 2016”.

Matokeo

(i) SACCOs ya KILULU iko katika hatua za mwisho za usajili (ii) Kuanzishwa kwake kutasaidia kujibu changamoto za wakulima hasa katika Mikopo ya ndani na nje ya kijiji chetu cha Ipugasa (iii) SACCOS hii ya Jumuiya tatu inatupa uwanja wa kubadilishana mawazo na changamoto mbali mbali na hivyo kusuluhisha matatizo ya kiuchumi ya wanachama wa Jumuiya husika


Jumuiya wanachama zinakusudia Kuimarisha SACCOs ya KILULU ili iwe na uwezo wa kimtaji na baadae iweze kukopesheka na taasisi nyingine za kiserikali na zisizo za kiserikali ili wakulima wa kisewe, luvambo A, luvambo B ,waweze kupata fursa ya mikopo kwa ajili ya utekelezaji wa kilimo cha kisasa ambacho ni mkombozi pekee wa maisha ya mkulima maskini.


Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya KILULU?

(ii) Utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kushiriki kuwa wanachama wa SACCOs au VICOBA?

(iii) Mkakati gani utakaotumia ili kuhakikisha maazimio mnayofikia mnayatekeleza na yasibaki kuwa maneno matupu?



3

Changamoto

Wakati Jumuiya ya Songambele inaanzishwa ilikuwa na idadi ya wanachama 45 na kufanikiwa kupata usajili kutoka Wizara ya Mambo ya Ndani. Wakati tunaendelea katika kutekeleza yale ambayo yalitokana na elimu mbalimbali na mafunzo ya vitendo kutoka shirika lisilo la kiserikali la WISE kupitia mradi wa FOCEP unaofadhiliwa na AGRA, ghafla mahudhurio yalianza kuwa hafifu. Wanachama waliacha kuhudhuri mikutano iliyokusudia kuwapa mrejesho wa mafunzo na mikutano mbali mbali ngazi ya mwavuli. Kama viongozi tulifanya utafiti tukajua udhaifu uliokuwepo. Hii ni kutokana na ukweli kuwa sisi wakulima tumezoea kupewa na tunataka mchakato huo wa kupewa uwe wa

UONGOZI UNAOJITUMA WA JUMUIYA YA WAKULIMA

SONGAMBELE


haraka. Wanajumuiya hatukuwa na utayari wa sisi wenyewe kujitatulia changamoto zetu. Kila aliyejiunga alidhani atapata mkopo na usaidizi ndani ya muda mfupi sana. Jambo hili lilitufanya kushindwa kupiga hatua za kimaendeleo na kuendelea kubaki katika umaskini huku tukinung’unika.

Hatua

Kama viongozi tuliamua kufanya mkutano wa Viongozi wakuu (sekretariati) wa jumuiya ya wakulima songambele. Katika mkutano huo tuliazimia kila kiongozi awapitie wanachama na kutoa elimu ya kina kwa mwanachama mmoja mmoja juu ya faida ya kuwa na jumuiya ya wakulima na hivyo kubaki na wanachama wenye utayari tu. Tulifanikiwa kuvuna wanachama hai 30. Hii ilituwezesha kuitisha mkutano wa jumuiya kwa ajili ya kuweka mikakati itakayotuhakikishia uendelevu. Ili wanachama wawe na msukumo wa kuhudhuria mikutano tukaweka maazimio ya kila tunapokutana kila mwanachama aweke akiba na hiyo itafanyika kila wiki.

Matokeo

Jumuiya imerudi katika mstari katika kasi mpya ikiwa na wanachama hai 30. Ina ushiriano wa hali ya juu, kamati zinafanya kazi kwa kushirikiana, wanachama wanaweka akiba shillingi 4000/=kila wiki ambazo kukopeshana kwa riba nafuu, mikakati ya maendeleo inaendelea hasa katika miradi ya maendeleo katika ngazi ya jumuiya na kwa mkulima mmoja mmoja ikiwemo miradi ya ufugaji wa kuku na kilimo cha mazao mengine.


Ifikapo mwaka 2017 kama jumuiya lazima changamoto zetu ziwe zimetatuliwa kwa asilimia 90 kuanzia changamoto za uzalishaji,mitaji,uhifadhi na masoko. Kwa msimu wa kilimo 2016/17 Jumuiya inakusudia kulima ekari mbili kama shamba darasa.


Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya Jumuiya ya wakulima songambele?

(ii) Utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kushiriki shughuli za Jumuiya?

(iii) Mkakati gani utakaotumia ili kuhakikisha maazimio mnayofikia yanatekelezwa na yasibaki kuwa maneno matupu?



4

Changamoto

Jumuiya ya wakulima sekondari iliyosajiliwa wizara ya mambo ya ndani ina jumla ya wanachama hai 30. Kama Jumuiya tumekuwa tunakabiliana na changamoto nyingi ikiwemo kupambana na utamaduni wa mazoea wa kuona mashirika yote yanayokuja kutoa usaidizi yana jukumu la kutusaidia kila kitu ikiwemo mafunzo, mitaji, vifaa nk. Hii imefanya wanachama kusua sua na wengine kujitoa uanachama kimya kimya.

Hatua

Nikiongozwa na usemi wa kiswahili usemao “panya wengi hawachimbi shimo“ mama Mage Minga, ambaye alikuwa mwenyekiti na sasa

UONGOZI WENYE MAONO WA JUMUIYA YA WAKULIMA SEKONDARI


mweka hazina wa Jumuiya anaelezea, “nilifanya uhamasishaji wa nguvu kuhakikisha wanachama wenye utayari wana shiriki kikamilifu utekelezaji wa mafunzo yote tuliyokuwa tunapewa. Kwa mwaka wa kwanza si tu nilishawishi wakulima wenzangu kuwa na shamba darasa ekari moja bali pia kununua viua tilifu kwa ajili ya kusaidi kuondoa magugu katika mashamba yetu ya mpunga. Kwa mwaka wa pili nilihamasisha wanachama kuongeza ukubwa wa shamba darasa lifike heka mbili bali pia kwa mafanikio yaliyopatikana kwa kila mkulima mmoja mmoja kuongeza ununuzi wa viua tilifu kama sehemu ya kilimio bora cha kisasa. Pia niliwashawishi wanachama tuongeze wanachama wapya wenye mwelekeo wa kuongeza nguvu katika Jumuiya ni si wale watakaokuwa mzigo kwetu“.

Matokeo

Katika msimu huu tumefanikiwa kuwa na ekali mbili kama shamba darasa. Shamba darasa limekuwa chachu kwetu kupeleka mafunzo ngazi ya kaya zetu. Pia limetuwezesha kuimarisha jumuiya hasa kwa kuwaunganisha wanachama kwa kuwezesha kukutana mara kwa mara wakati wa kulihudumia shamba hivyo kufanyayetu iwe hai. Uhai umeiwezesha Jumuiya yetu iwe ya kwanza katika kuitikia ukulima bora kwa kutumia viua tilifu ambapo msimu wa mwaka 2014/15 tulinunua dawa zenye thamani ya 4,335,500/=(2,627.5757 US$)= na msimu wa mwaka 2015/16 tulinunua dawa zenye thamani ya 7,000,000 (3500 US$)=. Kwa miaka miwili mfululizo wanachama wamekuwa na mwitiko mkubwa katika ununuzi wa viua tilifu kwa ajili ya mashamba yao binafsi. Ni kutokana na mafanikio na faida zilizopatikana Jumuiya ya wakulima sekondari imeweza kuvutia wanachama wapya ambao waliweza kutoa 50,000 TZS kama ada ya kiingilio. Hii ni ada kubwa ukilinganisha na TZS 5000 zilizokuwa zikitolewa kama ada ya uanachama wakati wa kuanzisha Jumuiya ya sekondari.


Kuendelea kuhamasiasha na kushauri wanajumuiya wenzetu kufanyia kazi mafunzo mbalimbali yaliyotolewa na mradi wa FOCEP ili tuweze kujibu changamoto zetu ikiwemo kuacha kilimo cha mazoea na kulima kilimo cha biashara yaani kilimo cha kisasa kwa kila mwanajumuiya. Hiyo itakuwa njia sahihi ya kumkomboa mkulima maskini na mkulima mdogo mdogo.


Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya Jumuiya ya wakulima sekondari?

(ii) Kama kiongozi na mwanachama, utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kushiriki shughuli za Jumuiya?




5

Changamoto

Kama walivyo wakulima wote katika bonde la kilombero ambao kilimo ni ajira yangu kuu nimeendelea kuwa maskini kwa miaka mingi kwavile tu nilijikita katika kilimo cha mazao (kienyeji). Hii ilisababishwa na kutokuwa na elimu yakutosha kuhusu kilimo cha kisasa cha mpunga wa kupanda na kutumia mbegu bora. Matokeo yake nimekuwa nalima ekali zisizopungua kumi bila tija. Sikuwa nikijua gharama halisi na kuhudumia mashamba hayo na hivyo pamoja na juhudi nyingi nimeendelea kuwa na maisha duni.

“INAWEZEKANA“ KILIMO CHA KISASA KIMEBORESHA MAISHA

YANGU-MZEE KAYOMBO


Hatua

Mzee Kayomboa anasema “niliposikia matangazo na uhamasishaji uliofanywa na shirika la WISE kupitia Mradi wa Kujenga Uwezo Jumuiya za Wakulima ili mkulima aweze kuongeza kipato chake niliona ni fursa adimu kwangu. Nilijiunga na jumuiya ya wakulima viwanja sitini ili niweze kuongeza kipato. Baada ya kupata mafunzo mengi na kutiwa moyo na kupewa mbinu mbalimbali zikiwemo za upandaji, kuunganishwa na watoa huduma mbalimbali kuanzia wa mbegu bora wakiwemo ASA,TANSEED na KATRIN, kwa upande wa viua tilifu kuunganishwa na Hangzhou Agrochemical Company ambapo si tu tulipata dawa za magugu zilizo bora bali kwa bei rahisi na kwa wakati muafaka. Nilipojaribu kuwashawishi wakulima wenzangu tulime kisasa wakawa wagumu ndipo msimu wa kilimo 2015/2016 nilimwambia mke wangu kilimo cha kienyeji ndio kimefika mwisho na lazima mwaka huu tupande kitaalamu. Hakuna sababu ya kulima maekali mengi yasiyo na tija. Mke wangu alistaajabu lengo letu la kutaka kulima ekari tano ilihali hatuna mtaji. Nikamwambia tutatumia nguvu zetu kama tulivyokuwa tunafanya kilimo cha kienyeji. Ilipofika kipindi cha kuandaa mashamba kama wakulima wote wafanyavyo nilikatua na kupiga halo kwa trekta. Wakati wa kupanda nikamwambia mke wangu mimi nitakuwa napiga vishimo kwa mistari ya 20x 20cm. Wewe na watoto wetu wawili mtakuwa na kazi ya kuweka mbegu na kufukia kwa kutumia matawi ya miti. Tulianza kupanda mwezi wa kumi na mbili mwishoni na ilipofika mwezi wa kwanza katikati tulikuwa tumemaliza kupanda ekali tano“.

Matokeo

Pamoja na hali ya hewa kutokuwa rafiki kwa wakulima msimu huu nilifanikiwa sana. Niliweza kupata magunia 90 yenye ujazo wa kg 100 hivyo kunifanya kwa wastani kupata magunia 18 kila ekari moja. Najutia muda nilioupoteza nikijichosha, kujimaskinisha na kujizeesha kulima kilimo cha kinyeji kisicho na tija. Nikilinganisha na wakulima wenzangu waliochangua kuendelea kulima kienyeji wenzangu mmoja wapo ambaye alilima ekari 10 hakufikisha gunia 30 alizovuna. Hii inaonyesha wazi kama hali ya hewa ingekuwa rafiki ningepata mara mbili na nilizopata.



Matarajio yangu kuweka bidii katika mafunzo yote yaliyotolewa na WISE kupitia Mradi wa FOCEP ili niweze kupata matokeo makubwa katika uzalishaji wangu wa mpunga ili niongeze kipato maradufu na hivyo kuharakisha harakati zangu za kujikwamua kutokana na maisha magumu niliyonayo.

Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya mzee Kayombo?

(ii) Kama kiongozi na mwanachama, utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kushiriki kulima kilimo cha kisasa na cha kibiashara?




6

Changamoto

Kama walivyo wakulima wengine wowote nchini kilimo chetu cha mazoea na utegemezi wa zao la mpunga tu umefanya tuendelee kutovutia mitaji kutoka taasisi za fedha kwa kukosa vigezo wavitakavyo kama vile akaunti inayofanya kazi ikidhihirisha uhai wa Jumuiya kiuchumi na kutokuwa na dhamana za mikopo tuitakayo. Ni ngumu kuwashawishi wakulima kwanza waungane na kuweka malengo na kupata utekelezaji wake. Malengo hayo kama vile kuwa na shamba la pamoja, kujiwekea akiba na kumshawishi mtu mmoja mmoja angalau alime kitaalam ni changamoto kubwa kwa wakulima.

SAFARI YA MABADILIKO KUTOKA KATIKA VICOBA KUWA SACCOS

IMARA


Hatua

Josephat Kiyovecho, katibu wa Jumuiya ya Wakulima Upendo anasema kupitia mradi wa FOCEP, Jumuiya hii yenye wanachama 32 ilipata elimu mbalimbali ikiwemo ujasiliamali na namna gani ya kuweza kukidhi vigezo vya watoa huduma wa taasisi za fedha. Mafunzo haya yaliwezesha wanachama kufanyia kazi maazimio waliyojiwekea ikiwemo kuhakikisha tuna chanzo cha mapato zaidi ya kimoja kwa kuanzisha shamba darasa ekari moja. Pia tulianza kujiwekea akiba zetu wenyewe kila wiki kwa lengo kuifanya akaunti yetu iwe hai na kujiandaa katika shughuli za kilimo mapema. Kwavile uzoefu unaonyesha vikundi vingi vya VICOBA hufa kwa kutokuwa na uwazi na uaminifu, tulikubaliana kila makusanyo ya wiki yaende kuifadhiwa benki. Kila tukikutana kukusanya hisa zingine wiki inayofutia mtunza hazina lazima aonyeshe deposit slip ya benki hela iliyowekwa wiki iliyopita. Pia kwa kutumia akiba zetu tulikubaliana baadhi ya pesa tuzitumie kukodi na kulima ekari moja ya kikundi kama shamba darasa na pia liwe kama chanzo cha ziada cha mapato katika jumuiya yetu ya wakulima.

Matokeo

(i) Mpaka sasa tuna zaidi ya shilingi 2,000,000/= ambazo wanachama hukopeshwa kwa muda wa miezi mitatu mitatu kwa riba nafuu ya asilimia tano. Mkopo unategemea na akiba ya mwanachama ambapo anaweza kukopa mpaka mara tatu ya akiba yake (ii) Uwekezaji katika shamba darasa licha ya kuonyesha matokeo makubwa ya kupata magunia 27 kwa ekari moja, kila mwanachama amepata hamasa na atalima kitaalam katika shamba lake msimu ujao. Tunakadiria kupata kiasi kisichopungua shilingi 3,000,000/= katika mauzo ya mchele (iii) Tuna mfumo mzuri na wa uwazi mkubwa katika kukusanya kuhifadhi na kukopeshana fedha. Mfano kila mwanachama ana kitabu cha kutunza kumbu kumbu za fedha maarufu kama passbook. Katibu na Mweka hazina kunukuu michango ya kila siku ya makusanyo na kutangaza kwa wanachama kiasi kilichopatikana. Kila kikundi cha watu watano kina daftari ya kumbu kumbu ya makusanyo ya wanachama wake ikiwemo malipo ya mkopo kwa waliokopeshwa (iv) Mweka hazina ana jukumu la kupeleka hela benki na kuwasilisha hati


ya kuweka fedha/deposit slip kikao kinachofuata (v) Kuamua kutovunja VICOBA. Badala yake kuanzisha SACCOs ambapo kila mwanachama atachangia hisa tano zenye thamani ya laki moja. Ili kuhakikisha hamasa iliyopo haififishwi na wachache, wanachama waliamua kuwa ni wale tu walio tayai kuingia katika SACCOs watakaobaki kuwa wanachama wa Jumuiya ya wakulima Upendo.


Mauzo yatokanayo na mazao ya shamba darasa yatatumika kujazia hisa za kila mwanachama ili kuwezesha kikoba chetu kubadilika na kuwa SACCOs. Tunatarajia kuisajili hivi karibuni. Pia kila mwanachama amehamasika kulima shamba binafsi ekari moja kitaalamu msimu ujao wa kilimo.

Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya Jumuiya ya wakulima Upendo?

(ii) Kama kiongozi na mwanachama, utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kuwa na ama VICOBA au SACCOs ili kujikomboa kiuchumi?




7

Changamoto

Kama ilivyokuwa kwa wakulima wote dhana iliyokuwa imetawala kwa miaka mingi ni serikali na wadau kuwasaidia kwa kila kitu ikiwemo elimu na usaidizi wa kifedha ikiwemo mikopo na ruzuku. Hivyo pamoja na Jumuiya ya wakulima Bomamzinga kuwa na wanachama 60 wenye mahudhurio mazuri katika mikutano iitishwayo na uongozi na katika mafunzo mbali mbali yaliyokuwa yanaendeshwa na mradi wa FOCEP unaofadhiliwa na AGRA kupitia shirika la WISE, mabadiliko yaliendelea kuwa changamoto kwa vile tu wanachama walikuwa wanasubiri misaada zaidi hususan ya kifedha toka nje ya eneo lao.

UMOJA NI NGUVU, WAKULIMA WA JUMUIYA YA WAKULIMA BOMAMZINGA WAINUANA

KIUCHUMI


Hatua

Jumuiya ya Bomamzinga ilipata bahati ya kutembelewa na Afisa mradi toka AGRA Bi. Pauline Kamau ambaye kama ulivyo mradi, alisisitiza azma ya mradi ni kuimarisha Jumuiya za wakulima tu na kwamba ni kazi ya Jumuiya kufanya kazi na wanachama wake kutatua changamoto mbali mbali zinazowakabili. Ni katika kubaini ukweli huu Jumuiya ya Bomamzinga si tu iliamua kujipanga upya na kuimarisha mifumo yake ya ndani ikiwemo kamati ndogo ndogo nne yaani ya uzalishaji, utunzaji, masoko na mitaji. Katika zoezi hilo Jumuiya ilibaki na wanachama hai 32 tu. Kila kiongozi alijua nini majukumu yake kuanzia mwenyekiti, katibu, mweka hazina na kamati nzima ya utendaji ya jumuiya. Akielezea hatua walizochukua Bi Ashura Rashid, mwenyekiti wa Jumuiya anasema “kupitia mradi wa FOCEP, shirika la WISE lilienda mbali kwa kutuunganisha na watoa huduma mbalimbali kuanzia katika huduma za uzalishaji, ikihusisha mbegu bora kutoka katika mashirika mbalimbali ambayo yamepewa dhamana ya kusambaza mbegu, kuunganishwa na watu wa vifaa vya kupandia, tumeunganishwa na watu wa maghala, masoko ya awali na kufundishwa mbinu za kuyafikia masoko na mwisho kuunganishwa na taasisi za fedha mbalimbali“. Wakielezea hatua walizochukua wana jumuiya ya wakulima bomamzinga wanasema baada ya kuunganishwa na watu wa vipandio tukaitisha mkutano na kuweka mkakati kila mwanakikundi lazima alime kitaalamu na kukubaliana kusaidiana katika upandaji ndipo tukagawa kundi la watu kumi na sita ambayo yalikuwa makundi mawili na kila siku kundi moja linampandia mtu mmoja kwa hiyo kwa siku tunawapandia watu wawili na kazi ilikuwa rahisi sana na iliyochukua muda mfupi tukianza kupanda saa moja mpaka saa nne tumemaliza ekali moja, baada ya siku kumi na sita tukafanikiwa kila mwanachama kuwa na ekari moja ya kupanda“.

Matokeo

Kila mwanachama wa jumuiya ya bomamzinga amefanikiwa kupanda mpunga kwa kitaalamu ambayo itawafanya wapate mazao mengi (ii) Baada ya kuimarisha mifumo ya kiutendaji na kulima kwa kitaalam kwa kila mwanachama na ikichangiwa na uhai wa jumuiya tumefanikiwa kukopeshwa na serikali mkopo wa pesa za kitanzania 2,400,000/= kwa riba ya 10% tunalipa ndani ya mwaka mmoja.



Tunakusudi kuongeza uzalishaji kwa kutumia gharama ndogo za uzalishaji na kupata matokeo makubwa ambayo itamuhakikishia mkulima faida ya kujitosheleza. Hali hii itamfanya aweze kutimiza misingi ya kiuchumi ambayo inaelekeza kipato chochote lazima kigawanywe sehemu tatu. Ni lazima utumie kujikimu, uwekeze, na kinachobaki uweke akiba. Na hii inawezekan kma una kipato kikubwa.

Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya Jumuiya ya wakulima Boma mzinga?

(ii) Kama kiongozi na mwanachama, utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wote wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kulima kitaalamu ili kujikomboa kiuchumi?




8

Changamoto

Kwa muda mrefu wakulima wamekuwa wakifanya kazi bila kuwa na ushirikiano kila mmoja akijaribu kwa nafasi yake kutatua changamoto za ajira yake kuu ya kilimo iwe ni katika masuala ya uzalishaji, utunzaji, masoko na mitaji. Hata baada ya kujengwa uwezo kupitia mradi wa FOCEP, mabadiliko ya kiutendaji yamekuwa madogo katika jumuiya nyingi kwani tabia haibadiliki kwa siku moja, wiki, mwezi au mwaka. Mabadiliko ni mchakato. Ukosefu wa utayari na kusita kwa wana Jumuiya kupokea na kuyafanyia kazi mafunzo kumechelewesha upatikanaji wa majibu ya changamoto zinazowakabili.

MIFUMO IMARA NA INAYOFANYA KAZI KATIKA JUMUIYA NI

MKOMBOZI WETU - JUMUIYA YA WAKULIMA MBASA MLIMANI


Hatua

Katika kujaribu kuharakisha utekelezaji wa elimu mbali mbali walizopata, Jumuiya ya Wakulima Mlimani ikishirikiana na Jumuiya ya Wakulima Mlimani moja iliamua kufanya maamuzi magumu ya kujipanga upya kwa kutowasubiri wanachama ambao hawana utayari. Katika zoezi hilo Jumuiya ilibaki na wanachama 32 ambao kwa pamoja waliamua kuimarisha mifumo ya kiutendaji. Walijenga upya kamati kuu nne ya uzalishaji, utunzaji, masoko na miitaji na kuzijenga uwezo kuhusu majukumu yao ilihali wakitabanaisha wazi wajibu wa wanachama wa kawaida katika kutekeleza kazi za kamati hizo.

Kwasasa kamati zote zinafanya kazi zao kwa kushirikisha wanachama. Hii imewezesha kufanikisha mambo mbali mbali waliyojipangia kwa muda mfupi mfano kama wanavyoelezea wenyewe kupitia kwa mwenyekiti wao. Jumuiya imeenda mbali na kuanzisha VICOBA ambapo kila wiki wanachama wanaweka akiba na kukopeshana kwa riba nafuu kama njia ya kujisaidia wenyewe na wakati huo tuweze kuvutia mikopo katika jumuiya yetu. Baada ya kuona tumeanza kukidhi vigezo, viongozi tukaanza kutembelea taasisi za fedha mbalimbali na kufanikwa kuaihidiwa kupata mkopo kutoka benki ya posta tawi la ifakara wa fedha za kitanzania milioni sitini kwa awamu. Kwasasa tayari shillingi milioni kumi na tano zimeshatolewa kwa Jumuiya. Kwa kuzingatia uhalisia kuwa mkopo huu ulipatikana nje ya msimu wa Kilimo, fedha tulizopata zitasaidia biashara ya kununua na kuuza mpunga.

Matokeo

Akielezea mfanikio yaliyopatikana, Ally Mponda ambaye ni Mwenyekiti anasema (i) “Tumefanikiwa kukopeshwa na benki ya posta kiasi cha milioni sitini (60m) ambazo zinatolewa kwa awamu ambazo tayari tumeshapewa milioni kumi na tano(15m) (ii) Tuna kikoba chetu ambacho ni endelevu wanachama wanapata fursa ya kuweka akiba na kukopeshwa. Kila wiki tunanunua hisa za shilingi 10,000/= kila mwanachama (iii) Tuna shamba darasa letu ambalo ni chanzo cha mapato katika jumuiya yetu ambako kila wiki tunapata shilingi 50,000/= (iv) Mbali na shamba darasa wanachama wetu wote wamelima kitaalamu msimu huu kwa kupanda kwa mstari na kwa punje“.



Kupitia mifumo thabiti ya utendaji katika jumuiya yetu huku tukishirikishana na kubadilishana mawazo baada ya mafunzo tunayopata, tunaamini hii imekuwa na itaendelea kuwa chachu ya kuleta mageuzi makubwa ya maendeleo kwa mwanachama mmoja mmoja kwanza na hatimye jumuiya kama chama ili kiwe na miradi endelevu.

Tafakari

(i) Umejifunza ni katika hadithi hii ya Jumuiya ya wakulima Mbasa Mlimani?

(ii) Kama kiongozi na mwanachama, utawezaje kuhakikisha unawafanya wanachama wote wa Jumuiya yako wawe na hamu, hamasa na mshawasha wa kuwa na mifumo itakayowawezesha kujikomboa kiuchumi?




Uchambuzi wa kina unaonyesha kuwa kipato duni baina ya wakulima wadogo wadogo unasababishwa na tamaduni na mazoea yaliyojikita katika jamii za wakulima wadogo wadogo kwa miaka mingi ya kutumia kulimo cha kumwaga maarufu kama “tangulia nakuja“ na mbegu za asili ikiwemo kufanya kazi katika mifumo isiyo rasmi kama vile upatu wa kienyeji uliowafanya wahusika kupata hasara pindi kijumbe anayekusanya fedha akifikwa na maafa ikiwemo kifo, kufiwa, kuachika, ugonjwa na maafa mengine. Ni wazi tamaduni hizi haziwezi kuisha kwa muda mfupi. Tamaduni na mazoea kama haya yanahitaji mbinu mchanganyiko za kitaalamu ikijumuishwa na ushawishi mkubwa, ubunifu, utumiaji wa wakulima wa mfano na hadithi za mafanikio kama hizi ili kujenga hamasa, hamu na mshawasha kwa wale wanaoogopa mabadiliko, au wanaosita, kuchukua hatua na kutumia mafunzo wanayopewa.

HITIMISHO


Katika mchakato wa utekelezaji wa mradi wa FOCEP licha ya kudedevua hadithi za mafanikio ni vema kuainisha baadhi ya vigezo na mambo ambayo kwa upande wa mradi tunahisi yamechochea upatikanaji wa mafanikio kwa ama mwanachama mmoja mmoja au Jumuiya zilizoweza kufanikiwa katika maeneo mbali mbali yaliyoainishwa kaika hadithi hizi za mafanikio kama inavyoainishwa.

Mafunzo makuu yaliyowezesha vikundi na wakulima wadogo wadogo katika hadithi hizi kufanikiwa 1. Maendeleo ya watu kuletwa na watu wenyewe na si kusubiri usaidizi

toka nje. Ni rahisi kupata au kuvutia usaidizi kutoka nje kama watoa msaada watakukuta umeshaanza jitihada zako mwenyewe. Hivyo kazi ya usaidizi ni kuharakisha kupata mafanikio si kuanzisha mafanikio.

2. Viongozi wa Jumuiya zilizofanikiwa walionekana wana muono na ari ya kupata maendeleo/maslahi ya pamoja/mapana

3. Kuwa na malengo yatakayoongoza jitihada za kuyafikia maono husika4. Wanachama kuheshimu viongozi wao5. Wanachama kujituma na kutekeleza maamuzi waliyoridhia wenyewe6. Wanachama na uongozi kuwa wabunifu na kujiongeza/kujielimisha

kila mara7. Uadilifu na uaminifu8. Kuheshimu na kusimamia katiba ya Jumuiya9. Kuwa wajasiriamali na watu wenye kiu ya maendeleo

Mambo yanayochelewesha kupata mafanikio kwa Jumuiya na wanachama mmoja mmoja1. Uongozi dhaifu na wenye ubinafsi wanaongalia maslahi ama yao

binafsi au ya muda mfupi2. Uoga na ukosefu wa utayari baina ya wanachama na viongozi. Kudhani

muda upo hivyo utekelezaji utaanza baadae“kesho“3. Kusubiri msaada ndiyo uanze kubadili maisha ya mkulima mmoja

mmoja au ya Jumuiya ya wakulima4. Kutozingatia mafunzo mbali mbali5. Kutokuwa na ubunifu, uthubutu na ujasiriamali ikiwemo kushindwa

kujiongeza/kujielimisha6. Kukosa uaminifu, uadilifu na kuheshimiana. Wanachama au viongozi

kuwa na ushindani hasi husio na tija7. Kushindwa kusimamia katiba za Jumuiya husika

1Success Stories

INTRODUCTION

We live in the world where people, with long rooted traditions are mostly skeptical and need a good reason to listen to you, or choose your product or use your services. That is the principle role of success stories. Story describes how an individual or community benefited from our projects or programs, illustrated by a powerful photograph and drawings. It introduces the challenge, character, or opportunity, briefly explain the partnership forged to address those challenges and describe the end result or benefit.

Unlike most stories that aims at pleasing donors, the first user of these stories are the small holder farmers themselves. These stories aims at spurring targeted small holder farmer’s adoption, replication and scale up. For the supporters and stakeholders, these stories aims at showcasing results and impact as a result of both financial and technical support from the same. Stories helps them draw lessons for future programming.

WISE would like to thank Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) for their generous support that enable FOCEP realize various benefits that forms part of these stories.

WISE ManagementNovember 2016

1Success stories

Success Stories2

TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 INCOME DIVERSIFICATION HELPS BROADEN

UTENGULE SMALLHOLDER FARMER’S

OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................ 3

2.0 KILULU SACCOS A SOURCE OF CAPITAL TO

FARMERS ....................................................................................... 6

3.0 COMMITTED LEADERSHIP ..................................................... 9

4.0 VISIONARY LEADERSHIP BY SEKONDARI

FARMERS’ASSOCIATION ......................................................... 12

5.0 “IT IS POSSIBLE”-MODERN FARMING HAS

TRANSFORMED MY LIFE - MZEE KAYOMBO OF

VIWANJA SITINI FARMERS’ASSOCIATION ........................ 15

6.0 A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY FROM VILLAGE

COMMUNITY BANK (VICOBA) TO A POWERFUL

SACCOS BY UPENDO FARMERS’ASSOCIATION ............ 18

7.0 “TOGETHER WE STAND” BOMA MZINGA MZINGA

FARMERS USE GROUP SOLIDARITY TO LIFT

THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY ............................................ 21

8.0 STRONG AND FUNCTIONAL INTERNAL SYSTEMS

IS THE SOLUTION - MBASA MLIMANI’S

FARMERS’ASSOCIATION .......................................................... 24

9. 0 CONCLUSION ............................................................................. 27

3Success Stories

1 INCOME DIVERSIFICATION HELPS BROADEN UTENGULE

SMALLHOLDER FARMER’S OPPORTUNITIES

ChallengesSmall holder farmers served by Utengule Farmers’ Group were unable to improve agriculture(their major means of employment) due to lack of finance and as a result they were living in abject poverty. This was in part due to their incapacity to meet the criteria set by financial service providers /institutions for borrowing.

Through FOCEP capacity building project funded by AGRA, farmers’ groups were trained about entrepreneurship, the importance of having diversified sources of income, the importance of saving and investing. They were enlightened on why they must stop the habit of spending all the money they earn at a go or within a short period. Farmers’ groups

Success Stories4

were also trained on how to ensure that their bank accounts are active all the time.

After training Utengule Farmers’ Group made strategies to bring more life to the organisation and attract professional and financial support.“The education we received capacitated us to be able to dialogue and arrive at decisions that enabled our group and members to attract financial support and thus change our lives for the better.” Said Hassan Kalimangasi, a group secretary. We decided to start a poultry project where each member contributed two chickens as capital. We made it known to various stakeholders what we were doing and that way the District Council came to learn about our project. The council’s Natural Resources Department offered us training on bee keeping and offered us 25 beehives. This way we started the second project and we now have a modern bee-keeping business. Our farmers’ organisation has managed to secure a loan in kind (pump from WISE). This has enabled the group to establish a one acre demonstration paddy farm (irrigation cultivation). Our group has decided that each member will engage in modern paddy production in the next farming period. We also started a Village Community Bank (Vicoba) whereby members on weekly basis save through purchase of shares.

Results Among the results was a grant of 25 beehives from the local government. The group’s poetry project has grown to be worth Tsh 800,000/=. There are about 60 poultry (30 cocks and 30 hens). The group meets on a weekly basis to collect members’ savings. About Tsh 300,000/= are deposited in the bank every month. The group also runs irrigation farming where in dry season various vegetables and paddy are grown, thanks to a pump from WISE. In 2015/16 season the group purchased pesticides and insecticides worth about 3,482,000/= and in 2016/17 9,000,000/= Tshs.

Perception and Expectations The Utengule Farmers’ Group is on the final stages of registering its own SACCOS with capital derived from the shares sold to its members.

5Success Stories

It is through that SACCOS, where members who are small—scale farmers will be able to empower themselves economically. Members will get loans and benefit with dividend coming from various projects that will also be managed by the SACCOS to generate extra income such as a shop (for agriculture inputs). The SACCOs is an opportunity for members to get deliverance from the mire of poverty.

Food for thought

(i) What have you learnt from the story of Utengule Farmers’ Association?

(ii) How can you make sure that your group members have the desire, the motivation and are convinced to boost their incomes from having diverse sources so as to, sustainably, lift themselves out of poverty?

(iii) What strategies are you going to use to ensure all resolutions are executed and targets fulfilled, that is, ensure it is not all empty talks?

(iv) How will you measure/evaluate progress and successes in the implementation of set targets?

Success Stories6

2

ChallengesBeing not easily accessible by governmental and non-governmental institutions as well as private sector made Luvambo A, Luvambo B and Kisewe farmers be unable to raise capital. Farmers with their very limited capital primarily engaged in peasantry paddy farming (which was not profitable) which in turn, played a big role in making them live in poverty. Like many small scale farmers’ group, lack of economic empowerment education kept the group backward. FOCEP project changed all that. We were capacitated to empower ourselves and be able to borrow. We learnt on how to increase our incomes from diverse sources. FOCEP “did not give us a fish, it trained us on how to fish” so that we continue supporting ourselves beyond the project life span.

KILULU SACCOS A SOURCE OF CAPITAL TO FARMERS

7Success Stories

Action Narrating the action taken, Mahona Mahona, a Chairperson of the SACCOS said “initially, we started by attending seminars organized by WISE. Later experts from WISE came directly to our group and taught us financial knowledge and skills. The knowledge imparted to us included skills on coming up with diverse sources of income. We learnt about personal savings, Village banks (VICOBA) and SACCOs. After the training, the leadership of the three farmers organization of Luvambo A, Luvambo B and Kisewe sat together, did a thorough analysis (our members were involved) and came out with a way forward. After a lot of deliberations, we decided to establish a SACCOs (to be known as KILULU). The SACCOS will comprise members from the three communities in Ipugasa village - Kisewe, Luvambo A, and Luvambo B. The acronym KI stands for Kisewe; LU stands for Luvambo A; and LU stands for Luvambo B. hence KILULU. So far the group has 45 members. Each share is being sold at 15,000/= and every member should have bought some shares on or before 30th August 2016.

Results(i) KILULU SACCOs is in the last stage of completing its full registration (ii) Its formation will assist farmers to solve challenges they have been face when trying to secure loans in and outside the village periphery (iii) This SACCOs will give farmers from the three communities a platform for exchanging ideas as well as addressing various challenges. In essence it will play a part in helping members to solve their economic problems.

Perception and ExpectationsThe farmer’s members has come out with a strong resolution to ensure KILULU SACCOs develop its capital base upward and enable it to be able to get loans from private and public institutions. This will empower farmers from the three communities to be at a better position to get sufficient financial assistance to be able to engage in modern farming as a sure way out of poverty.

Success Stories8

Food for thought

(i) What have you learnt from the story of KILULU SACCOS?

(ii) How can you make sure that your group members have the desire, the motivation and to be active members of the VICOBA or SACCOs?



9Success Stories

3

Challenges When Songambele Farmers organization was established, it had a total of 45 members and it was successfully registered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. “While we were trying to implement what we had learned through practical training provided by a non-government organisation, WISE through FOCEP project which is funded by AGRA, all of a sudden participation became poor. Community members stopped participating to the meetings which were intended to give them feedbacks about the trainings and various meetings. As leaders, we conducted a research and recognized the problem that existed . This was due to the fact that, we farmers always accustomed to getting freebies and we want the processes to be quickly. As group members, we were not prepared to solve our own challenges or problems. Every member who joined

COMMITTED LEADERSHIP

Success Stories10

the group expected to get loan/ financial assistance within a very short period of time and with no hassles. This only led to stalled developmental progress and kept the community in poverty and perennial complains.

ActionAs leaders, we decided to hold a meeting that included all the top leaders (secretariat) of Songambele Farmers’ organization. In that meeting, we agreed that, every leader should move door-to-door and raise awareness by educating individual member on the benefit of having members being committed in the farmers’ group. This helped to raise the profile of the group to retain ready and committed members only. We, therefore successfully managed to retain about 30 active members. This enabled us call for a community meeting for the purpose of putting strategies that will ensure our sustainability. In order to motivate members to regularly attend the meetings, they are required to make savings on a weekly basis.

ResultsThe community is now back in line with 30 active members. There is a very good relationship amongst them. There is a very good cooperation between the group leadership and members. Each saves about Tsh 4,000/= in every meeting (held on weekly basis). The money is used for lending to members at low interest rates. The group has put in place strategic development plans. It involves communal and individual development projects. Some projects including poultry farming and crops cultivation.

Perception and Expectations We target that by 2017, our challenges should be resolved by 90%, including challenges associated with production, capital, storage and marketing. For the agriculture year 2016/17, the community is planning to cultivate two acres (as demonstration farm).

11Success Stories

Food for thought

(i) What have you learnt from the story of Songambele farmers’ Association?

(ii) How can you make sure that your group members have the desire, the motivation and eagerness to participate in the group’s affairs?



Success Stories12

4

ChallengesSekondari Farmers’ Association which is registered in the Ministry of Home Affairs has a total of 30 active members. As a group, we have been facing numerous challenges including fighting against negative dependancy syndrome, where members expect the organizations supporting the group to provide everything from capital, equipment, training etc. The dependancy has made many farmers to perform below expectation and others to silently quit membership.

Actions There is a Swahili proverb that says many rats do not necessarily dig the hole. ”Guided by this I took the lead to mobilise members and identify those that were ready to participate fully in implementing

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP BY SEKONDARI FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION

13Success Stories

all practical trainings impacted on them” said Mama Mage Minga. In the first year, I encouraged fellow members we start and operate an acre of a demonstration farm. At the same time, through persuasion, we succeeded in purchasing pesticides for our paddy farms. In the second year, I persuaded fellow members to increase the size of our demonstration farm into two acres, and they agreed. With the previous year’s achievements realised by individual members, many decided to increase the purchases of pesticides as part and parcel of modern agriculture. I also persuaded members to add new and serious members to increase the work force and leave those with little or no interests at all as they were a burden.

ResultsIn this season, we managed to have two acres of demonstration farm. The demonstration farm has been a catalyst to us in impacting knowledge to the level of their households . Also, demonstration farm has also helped in strengthening our community and making it active especially by linking members since they meet regularly when working on it. Activeness of our community has enabled our community being the first in implementing modern methods by using proper pesticides whereby in agriculture year 2014/15 we purchased pesticides worth Tsh. 4,335,500 ( 2,627. 5757 US$). In agriculture year 2015/16 the pesticides purchased was worth Tsh.7,000,000 (3,500 US$). For the two consecutive years, members have a great response in purchasing pesticides for their farms. Due to the success derived from implementation of modern agriculture methods, the Secondary farmers community has managed to attract new members who paid an astonishing membership fee of Tsh 50,000/= in contrast with Tsh.5,000/= which was the fee members paid when the society was established.

Perceptions and ExpectationsTo continue encouraging and advising my fellow group members to fully put into practice all trainings provided by the FOCEP project so that we can resolve the challenges we face including stopping the old fashioned (local, hand to mouth) farming and engage on farming as a business. That will be the only way of empowering poor and small-scale farmer.

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Food for thoughts

(i) What have you learnt from the story of Sekondari Farmers’ Association??




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5

Challenges Like many farmers situated at Kilombero Valley, agriculture is my main occupation. But for many years, I have continued being poor, just because I was using an outdated methods of agriculture. This was caused by the lack of sufficient education and knowledge on the use of modern paddy farming and the use of quality improved seeds. As a result, I had been tilling almost ten acres but with little yields. I didn’t know the actual operating costs in all the farms and thus despite all the efforts I continued having a miserable life said Mzee Kayombo.

ActionsWhen I heard some advertisements from WISE about its programme of capacity building to farmers’ group to enable them increase incomes, I

“IT IS POSSIBLE” MODERN FARMING HAS TRANSFORMED MY LIFE- MZEE

KAYOMBO OF VIWANJA SITINI FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION

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saw it as a golden opportunity. I decided to join Viwanja Sitini Farmers’ Association with the hope that I would boost my income. After going through various training workshops coupled with encouragement from the experts, we were taught and introduced the best way of modern farming and introduced to reliable seed suppliers like ASA, TANSEED, and KATRIN. About pesticides we were connected with a company known as Hangzhou Agrochemicals Company where we got quality, reliable and cheap pesticides on time. When I tried to convince my fellow farmers to apply modern farming techniques, they were reluctant. During the agriculture year 2015/2016, I told my wife that it is now time to end the old farming methods and we must now sow seeds professionally. There was no reason of cultivating lots of acres that yields nothing. My wife was surprised by my plan of cultivating five acres while we din’t have capital. I told her that we will use our own man power just as in traditional farming. When it reached the time of preparing farms as how all farmers do, I used tractor for clearing the land. During the sowing season, I told my wife that I will prepare sowing holes in rows of 20x 20cm, and my wife and two of our children will put the seeds and cover them by using tree branches. We started planting at the end of December and by the mid of January we had already finished planting five acres.

ResultsDespite very unfavourable weather conditions, I was very successful. I was able to harvest about 90 bags of 100 kilograms each, an equivalent of 18 bags per acre. I regret wasting my time when I was using traditional farming methods that result in low yields. When I compare myself with my fellow farmers who decided to go the old way, one of them could not even manage 30 bags from 10 acres! This clearly shows that if weather conditions were favourable, my harvest could have doubled.

Perceptions and ExpectationsMy expectations is to work hard in implementing all the trainings provided by WISE through its FOCEP project so that I can increase my paddy produce and in essence increase my income and get out of abject poverty which has been haunting me.

17Success Stories

Food for Thought

(i) What have you learnt from the story of Mzee Kayombo’?




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6

Challenges:This is the case of many smallholder farmers in the country-we use old fashioned farming systems. In our case, we were dependent on paddy farming to sustain our lives. Unfortunately, we were not able to borrow from any financial institution to improve our farms and in essence our livelihood. Why unable to borrow? It was our inability to meet set criteria by banks such as having an operating account(active bank account). At the same time we had no acceptable collaterals to enable us secure loans. Another challenge is the difficulties to convince farmers to join the group and set long term goals as many want short term gains. The goals include having a communally owned demonstration farm, having personal savings and convincing individual farmers to use modern farming methods. It is a very big challenge to make farmers adopt the new changes needed.

A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY FROM VILLAGE COMMUNITY BANK (VICOBA) TO A POWERFUL SACCOS

BY UPENDO FARMERS’ASSOCIATION

19Success Stories

Actions:Through FOCEP project, Upendo Farmers’Association (with about 32 members) managed to secure valuable education on entrepreneurship and how to access loans from financial institutions. Members started to apply the new knowledge. They started diversified means of earning income. At first they established an acre of a demonstration farm. As Josephat Kiyovecho, a group secretary narrates, “we had weekly meeting where members made saving to boost the association’s capital and making early farming preparations. Since experience shows that many VICOBA die due to lack of transparency and credibility, we agreed that weekly collections should be deposited in our bank account. In every meeting, the cashier must produce proof of bank deposit slip for the previous week deposit made. Also by using our savings we agreed to rent a farm of one acre and use it as demonstration farm, which will also act as another source of income in our farmer’s community”.

Results:(i) Investments in demonstration farms yielded harvest of 27 bags in the one acre tilled. Most members were delighted and promised to follow suit in their respective farms in the next season. We are expecting to earn not less than three million shillings (3,000,000/=) from the sale of rice (ii) Up to now, our VICOBA account has more than 2,000,000 shillings which is lent to members for a period of three month with a low interest rate of five percent (5%). The loan taken depends on the members’ savings. One can borrow up to three times his/her savings (iii) We have a good system of collecting, storing and borrowing money. For instance, every member has a special book for keeping the financial transaction records popularly known as a passbook. The secretary and treasurer record all members deposits/withdrawals and makes them public to all members. Every group of five people has a book of recordings of proceedings of the collection of all members including payments by loan borrowers (iv) The treasurer has the responsibility of depositing the money at the bank and produces a deposit slip during the next meeting (v) Plan never to kill the VICOBA. There are plans to upgrade the VICOBA into a SACCOs. Every member will be required to buy five shares at the costs of 100,000/= shillings. In order to get

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serious and committed members it was decided that only those who are ready to join the SACCOs, will be accepted as genuine members of Upendo Farmers’ Association.

Perceptions and ExpectationsThe outputs from the sales of produce from the demonstration farm will be used to increase some shares for the active members in order to up-lift our VICOBA to the status of SACCOs. We expect to register it soon. Also, every community member has been motivated to cultivate individually and professionally a farm of one acre in the coming agricultural season.

Food for thought

(i) What have you learnt from the story of Upendo Farmers Association?

(ii) As a leader how can you make sure stimulate group members to join the SACCOs?


(iv) How will ensure practical implementation of decisions made so far?

21Success Stories

7

ChallengesOutdated and long time held belief among many smallholder farmers that the Government and Stakeholders should offer them almost everything to enable them move out of poverty is a major hindrance to development. They expect help in provision of extension service in form of education, financial assistance in the forms of loans, grants and subsidy. So despite Boma Mzinga Farmers’ Association having about 60 active members who faithfully participated in meetings and various training workshops conducted by WISE through the FOCEP project, which is funded by AGRA, it was difficult for them to change. Many members just expected some financial aids from outside instead on using their own abilities to lift themselves out of the mire of poverty.

“TOGETHER WE STAND” BOMA MZINGA FARMERS USE GROUP

SOLIDARITY TO LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY

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Actions: The Boma Mzinga Group was lucky to be visited by AGRA official, Ms. Pauline Kamau. She emphasized that the project objective is to strengthen the farmers’ group and that it is the responsibility of the leaders to closely work with their members to tackle the challenges they face . In realizing this, the group decided to re-organize itself and strengthen its internal working structure. About four sub-commitees were formed. They were given the task of supervising production, storage, marketing and capital. In the run up to the exercise, the group remained with only 32 active members. Each leader knew his/her responsibilities; from the chairman, secretary, treasurer and the whole leadership committee. All of them are aware of their responsibilities. Through FOCEP project, WISE has connected the group with different service providers like reliable seed producers, planting equipment suppliers, warehouse owners, on site marketing and outreach markets. “They also connected us with some financial institutions said Mama Ashura Rashidi, who is the chair lady of the Association. We brought up the ideal of helping each other and come up with a solution to form two groups of 16 people each. On working days each group is engaged in planting seeds in one of our member’s farm, so in a single day, two farms owned by members are completely planted, using only four hours to plant an acre. After 16 days, all members had their farms fully planted, utilizing latest technology and better seeds.

Results(i) Every member of Boma Mzinga Association has planted a paddy using modern technology so as to increase yields (ii) After applying modern farming methods, the group has managed to secure a one year loan from the government worth Tsh 2,400,000/= at an interest of 10% per annum.

Perception and Expectations We expect to increase our production by minimizing costs in order to attain big results which will guarantee sufficient income to members, enabling them to realize three economic foundations in regards to money which are; daily consumption, investment and savings.

23Success Stories

Food for thought

(i) What have you learnt from the story of Boma Mzinga Farmers Association?

(ii) How can you make sure that your group members have the desire, the motivation and eagerness to participate to improve their economic wellbeing?


(iv) What tactics are you going to apply in order to measure the rate of success or failure in implementing critical decisions?

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8

Challenges:For quite a long time farmers were used to work independent of each other, each one trying to find solution for the challenges as far as farming was concerned. The challenges are associated with production, storage, marketing and capital. Even after having capacity building, through FOCEP project, the rate of changes have been very slow in many farmers groups. After all changing habit is a process, it doesn’t happen in a single day, a week, a month or a year, it takes time. Lack of dedication in grounds engagements or decision implementations has caused delays in finding reliable answers and solutions for the many challenges faced.

STRONG AND FUNCTIONAL INTERNAL SYSTEMS IS THE

SOLUTION - MBASA MLIMANI’S FARMERS’ASSOCIATION

25Success Stories

Actions:In order to fast track implementation of knowledge learnt during different training workshops , the Mbasa Mlimani Association in collaboration with Mbasa Mlimani Moja Association decided to re-group. They dropped all inactive members and in essence those who were not ready to abide with the groups’ rules and regulations. In doing so, the group retained 32 members. They decided to improve all the operation systems. They re-established four different committees which deal with production, storage, marketing and capital building. Each committee had the required capacity to handle set responsibilities. Members were also made aware of their roles in supporting the committees’ duties. Currently, the committees are performing their duties by involving members. This has helped them to be able to fulfill their duties. The group has also established a VICOBA whereby members make savings every week and can easily borrow money with very low interest rate for the purpose of empowering themselves economically. The new saving culture makes members to be able to borrow something which was hard previously. The group has a bank account and is in the process of getting about Tsh 60m loan from the Tanzania Postal Bank, Ifakara branch. So far the group has received Tsh 15m, which is being used in the business of buying rice at low price and selling at a higher price.

ResultsAs their chairperson Ally Mponda narrated, (i) “we have successfully managed to get a loan commitment of Tsh 60,000,000/= from Postal Bank, which will be released on installment basis. So far, we have managed to get about Tsh 15,000,000/= (ii) We have our VICOBA which is fully functioning, members are required to purchase shares worth about 10,000/=, and are eligible to deposit and withdraw money as per members account balance.(iii) We have our demonstration farm which is a source of income where we earn about 50,000/= on a weekly basis. (iv) Apart from demonstration farm, all our members have prepared their farms by utilizing modern technology”.

Perception and ExpectationsBy implementing reliable and working methods of leadership in our group which were impacted to us from the training workshops

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organized by WISE, we believe this to be a catalyst in bringing about big developmental reforms not only for individual members but also for the group at large.

Food for thoughts

(i) What have you learnt from the story of Mbasa Mlimani?

(ii) ) As a leader and member how are you going to arouse your associates to apply modern farming to fight abject poverty?

(iii) What measures are you going to take to ensure the decisions taken are being practically implemented?

(iv) What approaches are you going to use in order to measure the rate of success in implementing serious decisions?

27Success Stories

For years in Tanzania traditional peasantry farming has been a “business as usual” characterized by small scale growers who use traditional farming methods including use of indigenous seeds and led hand to mouth life and perpetual life of poverty. Informal borrowing schemes made many farmers to sink deeper in poverty in case of death, divorce, sickness and other misfortunes, involving the responsible person to manage those finances on their behalf. It is obvious that eliminating traditions all of a sudden is almost impossible. Various professional mechanisms have to be used which includes high level power of convincing, creativity, use of progressive/innovative farmers and the use of success stories that will motivate and encourage farmers to move out of their cacao’s and embrace modern farming techniques. All the same, some farmers are reluctant to change and implement new knowledge gained.

CONCLUSION

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With regard to the implementation of the FOCEP project, which has brought some positive outcomes, instead of analyzing the success stories, it is better to outline some criteria and issues which FOCEP believe have contributed to the success of some individual and their groups as explained in narrated success stories.

Major lessons learnt by Smallscale farmers and their groups that culminated into success stories.1. Development is best brought to the people by the people themselves.

Waiting for help from outside may not work. It’s easy to find or attract support from external donors if farmers are changing their lives already through their own efforts. Outside help should only be used to accelerate group’s success and should not constitute/initicile success.

2. Most successful leaders of farmers group had great vision, were eager to achieve collective development for the sake of all their members.

3. To have proper mission and goals in order to actualize their vision and achieve set targets

4. Members must respect their leaders5. Members must show willingness in fulfilling their obligations6. Leaders and members must be creative and build capacity of

members regularly7. Be honest, trustworthy and integrity8. To respect and duly implement groups’ constitution9. Be real entrepreneurs with developmental mindset/hunger for change.

Things which delays positive development in farmers’ ground and for individual members1. Poor leadership with personal interests and short term achievements

as driving force2. Fear and lack of readiness between members and leaders. Assumption

that there is indefinite time for implementation of important matters3. Too much dependence on donor support in making important life

changing decisions4. Not taking various training seriously5. Lack of creativity, seriousness and failure into venturing into

entrepreneurship coupled with farmer’s inability to educate themselves6. Being dishonest, untrustworthy, deceitful and lack of due respect

between leaders and members7. Failure to implement and respect the respective associations’

constitution.

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