Purpose for the Innovation
The purpose of the innovation is to increase crop production, soil fertility, soil moisture content, soil structure and the organic matter content by using locally available resources
Motivation for the innovation
Ms Suzana Sylvester became widow when she was still young. Her husband passed away leaving bihind eight children. From that time the innovator was challenged by how she would herself manage the big family left behind. She then started to recall back the trainings on organic agriculture she was taught during the colonial period when she was undertaking her primary school education especially the use of organic matter to improve soil fertility and use of ridges for soil moisture improvement. She then started practising and researching on how to increase soil fertility and crop production by using organic compost made from locally available materials From the informal research carried out she came up with very effective organic compost that she named "Mapambano" Compost, meaning "Struggle". The innovation is very helpful and has been adapted by more than 600 farmers from Dodoma and other regions with similar characters.
Brief description of the innovation
Practising the innovation involves the following steps:
- Dig a pit of 3m of depth and 2.5m width.
- Put a layer of fuel wood ash of about I "thick at the bottom and smear sidewalls up to half a meter high
- Add a layer of dry grass of about 1/2 feet deep
- Continue add organic matter of any kind until the pit is filled up with a heap of about 1/2 meter above the ground level. In addition to organic matters put in the pit, the innovator adds also domestic waste water and animal urine.
- When it is full, the compiled organic matter is covered with a layer of wood ash followed by a small layer of pasture grass. Domestic waste water is added continuously to maintain it moist
- After 5 to 6 months, the compost is applied at rate of 1/2 to 1kg of compost per planting hole.
Characterstics of the compost
- The compost increases soil fertility contents, water retention capacity, improves soil texture and soil aeration, increase soil organic matter content and microbial activity, it is non toxic to microorganism and can last for more than one season.
Benefits from the innovation
- Increased yield from 3 bags of maize grain to 20 bags per acre
- Increased cash income
- Improved life standard
- Ability to educate children up to higher institution level
- Recognition by village and district authorities and nominated a member of the zonal Executive Committee for Agriculture and Livestock Research, Central Zone
- he is food secure with so many assets earned from her land
