“Seeing is Believing”: SEVIA’s approach of knowledge transfer through experiential learning in Tanzania
In conversation with Elijah Mwashayenyi, who worked as the Managing Director at the SEVIA project in Tanzania.
Please tell me more about this journey of yours in the seed sector development?
I started writing a book about my experiences with SEVIA, calling it "The Green Revolution Reborn." It explores agriculture in Africa and the lack of a widespread Green Revolution, except in a few countries. Despite this, there's visible development, and a new green revolution is starting to emerge.
Inspired by SEVIA's approach, especially its extension program with quality seeds and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) including climate-smart techniques, I wanted to follow a similar path. It's like what East West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWSKTF) is doing, training teams in Nigeria and Uganda using a similar approach to SEVIA.
The is a mix of a story and technical details, focusing on my journey with a young, energetic team dedicated to helping communities in production and marketing of vegetables.
Can you tell me more about the SEVIA project?
In Tanzania, vegetable production has fallen short in delivering a satisfactory quantity of high-quality, food-safe produce to meet the demands of both rural communities and the rapidly expanding urban centres. Compounding this issue, African farmers are grappling with the adverse effects of climate change.
From this perspective, SEVIA emerged, driven by the philosophy that showcasing the benefits of improved seeds, coupled with fundamental knowledge, skills, and technologies, is pivotal. The core of SEVIA's approach was encapsulated in its motto 'Seeing is Believing.' The project focused on knowledge transfer through experiential learning, fostering farmer-to-farmer dynamics in communities. This approach reached approximately 48,000 farmers across Tanzania from the year 2014 to 2020, thanks to a dedicated team of agronomists, station workers, office staff and the project partners who supported the effort.
SEVIA, a collaborative effort involving The Netherlands Government, Wageningen University & Research, East West Seed (Lead partner), Rijk Zwaan—two leading seed companies—had a clear mission: demonstrate to farmers how to cultivate vegetables sustainably and profitably. Wageningen University & Research, leveraging its team of expert agronomists in tropical vegetable production, contributed accountable, evidence-based knowledge, and extension strategies.
Over six years, SEVIA evolved into a respected knowledge brand, poised to continue serving African farmers in the years ahead in one form or another.
What has been your biggest success so far?
Success manifests in various forms, and that reminds me of my visit to the World Vegetable Center. When asked about incorporating hybrid varieties into our work, my affirmative response was met with scepticism. I was bluntly told that success in such endeavours was unattainable. I recounted the transformation witnessed over the past two decades in Tanzania's production of hybrid maize, which had doubled from 20% to an impressive 40%. Similar progress would happen in the realm of vegetables where use of hybrids doubled from 15% to 30%, all catalyzed by SEVIA. Yields at least doubled.
This positive trajectory extended to various crops, including notably tomatoes, onions, cucumber, sweet pepper and watermelon. Demonstrations initiated the journey, revealing the potential for increased yields through the adoption of superior varieties and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The message resonated loud and clear – the perfect combination for agricultural success lies in embracing better varieties alongside GAP.
It's imperative to understand that quality seeds alone are insufficient; the integration of GAP is paramount for triumph. As evidenced by the influx of companies into Tanzania following the footsteps of pioneering ventures, the groundwork laid by SEVIA now underpins what the government recognizes as the agricultural revolution.
EWSKT later leveraged this success as a springboard for initiatives in Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana. The philosophy of "seeing is believing" became a cornerstone of our approach. Demonstrations conducted on farmers' fields not only showcased the potential but also triggered a ripple effect as neighbouring farmers observed and replicated the practices. This method proved significantly more effective than merely imparting instructions, making our journey smoother and more impactful.
What would you have done differently in retrospect if you could start all over again?
The allure of greenhouses often generates excitement, but in the tropics, we quickly grasped that it wasn't a straightforward solution. While we need a controlled environment to enhance growth, we certainly do not want to increase temperature especially in low altitude tropics. The farmers also need training to properly understand greenhouse production. An unfortunate example was a greenhouse in Arusha, repurposed for keeping goats after the farmer failed to produce tomatoes!
Collaborating with the World Vegetable Center and WUR showed us that greenhouses meant for the tropics needed to be modified to suit the altitude. The one “type fits all approach” would not work. Traditional/Generic greenhouses at low altitude eg, Dar es Salaam or Bagamoyo (sea level), were out of the question due to high temperatures. Net houses were required at low altitude (below 800m). A mixture of plastic and net was required at middle altitude (800 -1400m) and plastic above 1400m. We adapted our approach accordingly.
We also realized the potential impact of including access to finance in our program. However, in Tanzania, accessing loans for farmers was a challenge, given the limited number of banks and microfinance institutions offering such services. While we referred farmers to banks like NMB Foundation, which provided loans and business management education, we recognized the need for a more comprehensive approach to financial inclusion.
Our strategy extended beyond agriculture to encompass linking with various organizations. We collaborated with the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA Fresh), conducted market surveys, and facilitated market linkages. Throughout the years 2014-2020, we encountered diverse challenges and, through adaptation, managed to find effective solutions.
How was your gender strategy?
Recognizing the importance of gender inclusion, we set a goal to reach at least 40% women in our outreach. Gender equality went beyond outreach; it included empowering women in decision-making roles. A pivotal moment occurred during a field day when we noticed the absence of women among the attendees. Realizing that many women worked in the fields while men attended such events, we adjusted our focus to include couples rather than solely individuals.
In Ilemela District of Mwanza (North-west Tanzania) where gender roles were uniqued, we noticed that men worked in the fields and women managed markets. When we asked the men the source of these unique gender roles they said that they (men) preferred the women to do the marketing because the money obtained would always come home!
Efforts to bring women on board as staff members reinforced our commitment to gender diversity and empowerment.
For you personally, what are some of the reasons that you enjoy working in the seed sector?
I find immense satisfaction in the realm of seed production, a field that resonates deeply with my smallholder upbringing. The desire to enhance upon the practices of my parents has been a constant source of fascination for me. In 1996, I delved into the study of vegetable seed production in Japan, yet I found myself uncertain about where to apply this newfound knowledge.
The turning point came when I connected with EWS, an experience that flung open the doors I had been seeking. Horticulture, a passion that runs so deep, is not merely a profession for me; it's ingrained in my identity, even reflected in my passport. Over the past 33 years, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to the world of horticulture, driven by a profound love for the craft.