PERCEIVED EFFECT OF DEMONSTRATION PLOTS ON PROMOTING SOYBEAN PRODUCTION

Mr. OLASKO GERVAS MAPUNDA has been a soybean farmer for the past eight years. He reported that before the project he had never interacted with any extension worker in his area, whether from Government or other agencies. His soybean farming did not yield him much, although he kept on working hard. In February 2013, a FEO from Caritas Songea conducted sensitization meetings which he attended and subsequently he joined a soybean production group where he received training at the established demonstration plot. He says that the training and information received opened his eyes to growing soybeans. This represented for him a turning point in soybean farming. Whereas he used to farm without following the appropriate agricultural practices such as spacing, and only used traditional low yielding varieties, he is now looking to consistently use good farming practices and improved seed. In January 2014 he expanded his soybean field from a quarter of an acre to one and half acres, and planted soybeans with a spacing of 45 x 5 cm, a higher planting density than before. He didn’t apply fertilizers since he believes that soybeans do not need them to grow well. He has harvested 7 bags (of 120 kg each) and was able to sell it all. Mr. Olasko received TSh 638,400 (approximately US$ 375) for the sale of his crop, more than he has ever received at once in his life time

By: Mundo Edwin Chogohe (MEAL Officer)