SAGCOT Empowers Farmers in Morogoro and Gairo Through Knowledge Exchange and Innovation

Gairo, Morogoro – April 2024:

In a bid to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainable farming practices, the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), in collaboration with the Office of the Regional Commissioner of Morogoro, organized an educational tour for 40 farmers and four agricultural officers from the districts of Gairo and Morogoro. The tour took participants to model farms established by successful farmers supported by SAGCOT in the Njombe region.

During the visit, farmers from Morogoro observed advanced techniques used in cultivating intercropped beans and maize, achieving yields of up to 40 bags of maize per acre and 20 bags of beans per acre. Farmers from Njombe demonstrated practical methods for preparing bean ridges, managing compost until it is applied to the fields, and utilizing modern seed varieties for optimal growth.

Participants learned about seed sourcing from certified suppliers, improved land preparation techniques, crop management strategies, and harvesting using contemporary methods for maize cultivation. These insights provided valuable lessons that could be replicated in their home regions.

Knowledge Transfer Initiative:

Following the educational tour, SAGCOT deployed expert trainers from Njombe to conduct one-week training sessions with the visiting farmers on their own farms in Gairo and Morogoro. This hands-on approach allowed all participants to grasp key agricultural best practices, including:

✅ Soil health assessment
✅ Ridge preparation for effective water retention
✅ Planting and maintaining healthy bean crops

By December 2024, significant progress had been made. Model farmers planted 400,000 bean plants in Gairo district alone. Additionally, 58 acres of land in the Masenge and Lukinga wards were dedicated to bean cultivation. In Gairo district, under the close supervision of District Commissioner Jabiri Makame, 10 demonstration plots for intercropped maize and beans were successfully established. Regional Commissioner Adam Kighoma Malima officially joined forces with farmer groups specializing in maize and bean production, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting these initiatives.

Leadership Endorsement:

On February 15, 2025, during a parliamentary committee meeting focused on Industry, Trade, Environment, and Agriculture chaired by Honorable Deo Mwanyika, Chairperson of the Committee, Mayor Phillipo Lukonga of the United Ward Council in Lukinga expressed optimism about the project’s impact. He stated:

“We are delighted that our Regional Commissioner has become an active member of our group. We are now practising scientific farming. We embraced modern bean farming techniques after receiving training through SAGCOT’s learning tours to Njombe. We have 5,800 plants yielding crops among our members’ fields, and we are preparing to plant another 1,200 plots to expand our operations.”

The committee noted the impressive adoption rate among smallholder farmers who are already implementing new methods in previously uncultivated areas. These farmers believe that continued support from the government and partners will further accelerate their development.

SAGCOT remains committed to driving agricultural transformation by promoting innovative ideas, introducing high-value crops, and ensuring sustainability for both farmers and the environment. SAGCOT plans to expand similar programs across other regions, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency within Tanzania’s agricultural sector as part of its ongoing efforts.

This initiative exemplifies how partnerships between public institutions, private organizations, and local communities can catalyze meaningful change, empowering rural economies and improving livelihoods for countless Tanzanian families.