Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011

Details for Mechanism ID: 12216
Country/Region: Tanzania
Year: 2010
Main Partner: Not Available
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $0

The quality and quantity of food produced near homes is a major factor influencing the quality of life of HIV-affected individuals and caregivers. Caregivers often lack time and energy to tend distant farms with a resultant decline in local food production creating a dependency on outside food relief. In an effort to increase sustainable household food security for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), Peace Corps Tanzania embarked on an innovative Training of Trainers program for all current Environment, Health and Education Volunteers and their Host Country National (HCN) counterparts in Permaculture and Bio-Intensive Gardening. Results thus far have proven the method's effectiveness to increase household food production and income from smallholdings with a high probability of replication by other partnering outreach workers. The method involves only local materials, fits within accepted gender roles and social values and strengthens the local environment in an economically viable manner. Not only is the method easy to learn, it is also easy to teach and will adapt to local conditions.

Regional, technical workshops were conducted on this evidence-based, low input, farming/income generation method. Sessions focused on sustainable adoption among resource-poor, risk-averse populations: simple methods to improve water retention; increasing soil depth/health to enhance growth; the role of family labor constraints; and, the value of permanent and perennial cropping systems as a means to develop a sustainable dietary cycle. A key theme has been the promotion of "small, doable actions" that can be easily replicated and adapted to meet local needs. By workshop end, key food growing and income generating concepts had been demonstrated such that replication at the local level was seen as feasible and achievable.

Rural families have seen yield increases of over 400%, when compared to traditional farming methods in semi arid central Tanzania. This simple, visual technique is suitable for low literacy populations; requires little to no external funding; and has been accomplished with local tools. Resultant local trainings, conducted by Peace Corps Volunteers and their Counterparts, partnering with local NGOs and PLWHA Groups, has lead to adoption by hundreds of rural families in only a few months. High quality food is now grown near homes where none had grown before. The method requires an initial increase in labor for soil preparation but this applies only to the first growing season. With proper planting and care, weed growth and water loss are reduced by 80%, significantly cutting overall labor requirements while at the same time increasing home food and income potential. While the method has been focusing on home based gardens, the principles have been applied successfully on sloping farm plots of up to one acre with significant yield increases.

The goal of the evaluation activity is to assess the impact of Permaculture and Bio-Intensive Gardening on food security and income generation for targeted households/individuals. The objectives are to (a) assess the impact of Permaculture on household food security and household income, (b) note benefits, shortcomings, and recommendations for improvement of Permaculture, and (c) determine whether the project will be beneficial to Tanzania and at what scale. Quarterly reports will be required on the progress of the evaluation.

Partnership Framework goal (1) is to reduce morbidity and mortality due to HIV/AIDS and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV and those affected by HIV and AIDS. The quantity and quality of food produced near the home is a major factor influencing the quality of life of HIV-affected individuals, OVC and caregivers. People living with HIV/AIDS, OVC and caregivers often lack time and energy to tend to distant farms resulting in the decline of local food production. The combined effect of reduced working capacity and agricultural production has created a dependency on outside food relief.

Funding for Care: Adult Care and Support (HBHC): $0

The TBD will evaluate the effectiveness and impact of biointensive gardening (Permaculture) for income generation and improving food security among HIV/AIDS affected households. Recommend specific actions on biointensive gardening. Publish and disseminate the findings of the evaluation to inform other implementing partners who are currently supporting this practice as well as the wider audience.This activity will be conducted among households, that undertakes permaculture in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Arusha, Iringa, Mbeya and Mwanza regions.