Piloting Sustainable Wheat Production in Makete as a driver to economic growth and National Food Security was initially conceived by regional and district authorities in Njombe and Makete, respectively. The regional administration immediately saw the need to include SUA as a key partner in the project as the latter could render its enormous expertise in various aspects of the project including but not limited to soil health and fertility assessment, land mapping and suitability assessment, seed health issues, and agronomic knowledge over wheat production and farmer training skills.
SUA on its part started by a quick survey to help develop a guiding document that would be used as a roadmap for the program. In it a thorough soil fertility assessment was determined to be first priority.
Various villages and terrains were surveyed by the soil health experts from SUA
SUA management accepted the proposal to use 3rd year BSc. Agronomy students to conduct detailed soil sampling in Makete as part of their Field Practical Training (FPT). Consequently, 80 students were distributed in all the 21 wards of the Makete DC for the exercise.
Two experts Mr. Daniel Isdory (left) and Dr. Shitindi (right) were involved in snap field orientation of the 80 students prior to being sent to their ward stations for the exercise
Field supervisory visits by experts were paid every other week. In phot above Dr. Hilda Sanga and Mr. Gerison Saddick Stephen were visiting students on week 3 of the program.
Batch 1 of 3 of the soil samples from across Makete District has been delivered at the Soil Science Laboratory of Sokoine University of Agriculture for specialized analysis.
Kazi inaendelea!!!
