300% Yield Increases Achieved Through Research Partnerships in Tanzania

It was found that most farmers, especially small scale farmers with an average of 0.4 hectares of land, harvest less than 2 tonnes of maize (or rice) per hectare. This may be due to lack of knowledge in new technologies and good agricultural practices.

“An average farmer with poor agriculture practices is expected to harvest 1.2 to 1.4 tonnes of maize per hectare. Yields could be doubled or tripled depending on the crop if good farming practices are followed,” says Peter Assey, Yara Tanzania Head of Agronomy.

Agricultural Institutions such as Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Uyole Agricultural Research Institute (UYOTE), and Tobacco Research Institute of Tanzania (TORITA) have been supporting Yara Tanzania to develop crop nutrition programs for the farmers. “Yields of rice and maize have continued to be low in many areas of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. These regions are inherently low in P. This is due to high rainfall, much of the soil is acidic, and P fixation is a major problem. Farmers are also not applying adequate amounts of the P containing fertilizers to their crops, and so are not able to address the shortage from soil supplies. Farmers are not using any lime to counter acidity.” Said Professor Mtengeti E. J from Sokoine University of Agriculture.

With these findings, Yara Tanzania has then been able to develop balanced crop nutrition programs and communicate these to farmers.

“Before using the Yara program, which I learnt about at the field day in Dihombo village, I used to harvest only 500-600kg rice per acre. After the training, I started applying what I had learned on my farm, and the results have been unbeatable in the area! I don`t know how I have managed to harvest 6750Kg. This is a 300 percent increase of my yield. What more do need? I thank Yara every day for sharing this knowledge.” Acknowledges Mng’aro Prisons, a farmer from Dihombo village.

“For a crop like rice, if you follow good farming practice like using the right seeds and applying abalanced crop nutrition program, you have a chance to triple your yield just like Mr. Prisons,” Mr. Assey explained.