TERMINAL REPORT ON VETIVER TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA -- RUKWA REGION

TVN_KAESOrpt.htm  

Vetiver Grass is now a talk shop in Kaengesa Ward and Sumbawanga township. The impact of Vetiver grass is now felt by the grassroot people, almost every farmer wants the grass as soil erosion control plant.

The climax of Vetiver Technology promotion was at the time of the Presidential visit to Rukwa Region in which he himself participated in planting the grass and trees.

A handshake by his Excellence Benjamin W.Mkapa to the Chairman of KAESO Mr. Ozem Chapita commending him for his NGO and himself in particular added flavour in the crusade to promote the grass. The President in his remarks to the Chairman of KAESO said, Quotes "I have visited several parts of Tanzania and a lot more people are talking about the environment, but much of it is theory only, but you - KAESO, are talking, about environment by doing practical things I thank you very much. Please I request you to continue doing what you are doing". end of Quotes.

The vetiver Technology has been given to the villager by way of Video shows, Seminars, and mobilisation drama group, however, Vetiver Knowledge dissemination by video Shows has proved to be very effective followed by drama group.

To our advantage, heeding to the presidential call on environmental conservation and Soil Erosion control, the Regional District Authorities could get vetiver splits from KAESO only. This has resulted in a bit demand for vetiver grass splits to be distributed in all the three Districts of Mpanda, Nkansi, Sumbawanga rural and urban. KAESO's next move is to identify interested farmers in each district who could run vetiver nurseries in each district for future distribution in their district as opposed to the present situation where all vetiver splits are collected from KAESO's central nursery at Lula Village in Kaengesa Ward.

On the other hand, GTZ, a German development agency which has been involved in Nutrition Programme in Rukwa Region, because the major distribution agent of the grass to its all farmers under their project, given their transport facilities to reach as far as possible all villages all over the Region.

Despite all the success achieved, the project faced a lot of problems, namely,

a) Lack of transport to distribute the grass and the movement of personnel to supervise planting in the field.

b) Cost of having a pick up for video shows and drama group are a limiting factor.

c) Lack of a photo copier for producing leaflets, newsletter for distribution to villagers.

d) The El Nino rains has destroyed most of the access roads making it very difficult to reach as many villages as possible.

However, for all the success achieved, all has been possible through the financial support from VETIVER NETWORK and more sincerely all thanks are directed Mr. Richard Grimshaw for his tireless efforts to encourage us to promote this unique grass.

II EXPENDITURE OF US$ 5000 = TSHS.3,005,000/-

The grant of US $ 5000 has been sent as indicated here below:

i) Car hiring distribution of Vetiver Splits - 1,800,000/-

to co-project village

ii) Car hire for vetiver mobilisation by video

shows including fuel for a generator. - 600,000/-

iii) Supervision and Monitoring by KAESO

Management team.

iv) Consultancy services by Mr. Alfred

Mbegu/Conservation Expert) - 100,000/-

v) News Letter production - 300,000/-

___________

TOTAL 3,100,000/-

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KAESO's contribution in this programme is in the form of labour for vetiver

grass nursery preparation, protection of garden from invading animals

supervision and monitoring.

 

III FUTURE/IMMEDIATE PLANS

Kazoo’s reputation in the dissemination of Vetiver Grass Technology must be sustained and KAZOO itself must aim at Capacity building to make itself sustainable. This can be achieved by acquiring the necessary facilities. It is in this regard where KAZOO needs

bridging finance any donor organization or individuals who are interested in the promotion of Vetiver grass in particular and Environmental conservation in general.

KAESO expects to raise funds from within in the near future by selling Vetiver splits and tree seedlings as opposed to the previous practise whereby Vetiver grass splits and tree seedlings were distributed free of charge.

Regarding support from Local NGO's based in Tanzania as proposed by yourselves has not been successful as for all consulted said that they were not operating in Rukwa Region. This position suggests to us that, despite the fact that you have limited funds to support old projects, we request if you could extend further support to our NGO before we are self-sustainable.

Thanking you once again for your support and look forward for a continued co-operation in this project.

  Ozem Chapita

CHAIRMAN - KAESO