Improvement of farm income through sunflower production by Kibihu farmers’ group in Mbuguni, Arumeru district

Shine,, Yudathadey Leon (2019) Improvement of farm income through sunflower production by Kibihu farmers’ group in Mbuguni, Arumeru district. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This project reports improvement of farm income through sunflower production by Kibihu farmers’ group in Mbuguni, Arumeru district. The project was selected after conducting community needs assessments (CAN) with members of MVIKIHO as the stakeholder of agriculture in Arumeru and Kibihu farmers’ group in Mbuguni village in Arumeru district. The most important need identified from CNA exercise was to have an alternative on-farm source of income. CNA finding shows that most of the farmers were getting their income from only vegetable crops produced under contract farming. This situation meant there was no reliable rotational crop to be planted during available short rainy season and hence results into dependence on only vegetables as source of income. Considering the weather condition in Mbuguni area and the current situation of income sources a project to introduce and improve sunflower production was selected. Currently farmers who plant sunflower are not reaping the best possible yields because they don’t have improved seeds varieties and they lack required best agronomic practices. The community needs assessment was conducted by using a participatory approach to make sure that, the project is implemented, owned and sustained by Kibihu farmers’ group in Meru District. The researcher used interviews with group members, meetings with group leaders and one focus group discussion with key informants. These approaches were used to ensure successful collection of required information and thereafter enable implementation of the selected project. The project aims to expand and improve source of income of KIBIHU, as the farmers rely on contract farming only. Successful implementation of this project will ensure income for beneficiaries and encourage the expansion of small industries as will produce raw materials too.

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