the project itself, and proposals are made to address these during the coming period. Integrated Water Resource Management. The inclusion of IWRM came about following a Swedish Embassy mission to Katete and Lundazi. Discussions with district agricultural staff as well as farmers revealed an increasingly erratic climate. The vulnerability of farmers depending on one crop a year was highlighted by the unpredictable rain patterns of the last several years (and was to be confirmed during the 2016 planting season with rains appearing late November followed by about three to four weeks of drought; farmers who had planted with the first rains saw their young crops wither). SNV was thus advised to consider including water management in the project and this was scheduled for 2017. Prediction of droughts. The significant variance of weather patterns even within districts are increasingly a risk factor for farmers. SILMS was approached by Agripredict, a young start-up company that presented a weather application linked to an early warning SMS alert. Two staff were recruited as interns to further develop the concept and focus on drought prediction during the planting season. A first field visit was planned for January 2017 and will be reported upon during the May 2017 review. Mechanisation of agro-forestry. Even when following the ISFM/AF recommendations of the SILMS project, leading to higher yields and incomes, most farmers will not rise above a certain level of incomes. The most recent data from Katete DACO’s office reveals an estimated average farm size of 1.5 hectares. Recent Lundazi data show a slightly higher average of 2 Ha. Only so much land can be worked upon by hand, so real change must come from increasing productivity and this requires some form of mechanisation. The idea is not new and has failed before. Several efforts at introducing tractors –including numerous attempts by NWK- have all failed. It was said that the step was too big. High investment costs, difficulties in repaying and difficulties in maintaining tractors were cited as main reasons. SILMS saw an increasing usage of animal traction ploughs drawn by two oxen and even a system of renting out oxen and ploughs. But can mechanisation be
the project itself, and proposals are made to address these during the coming period. Integrated Water Resource Management. The inclusion of IWRM came about following a Swedish Embassy mission to Katete and Lundazi. Discussions with district agricultural staff as well as farmers revealed an increasingly erratic climate. The vulnerability of farmers depending on one crop a year was highlighted by the unpredictable rain patterns of the last several years (and was to be confirmed during the 2016 planting season with rains appearing late November followed by about three to four weeks of drought; farmers who had planted with the first rains saw their young crops wither). SNV was thus advised to consider including water management in the project and this was scheduled for 2017. Prediction of droughts. The significant variance of weather patterns even within districts are increasingly a risk factor for farmers. SILMS was approached by Agripredict, a young start-up company that presented a weather application linked to an early warning SMS alert. Two staff were recruited as interns to further develop the concept and focus on drought prediction during the planting season. A first field visit was planned for January 2017 and will be reported upon during the May 2017 review. Mechanisation of agro-forestry. Even when following the ISFM/AF recommendations of the SILMS project, leading to higher yields and incomes, most farmers will not rise above a certain level of incomes. The most recent data from Katete DACO’s office reveals an estimated average farm size of 1.5 hectares. Recent Lundazi data show a slightly higher average of 2 Ha. Only so much land can be worked upon by hand, so real change must come from increasing productivity and this requires some form of mechanisation. The idea is not new and has failed before. Several efforts at introducing tractors –including numerous attempts by NWK- have all failed. It was said that the step was too big. High investment costs, difficulties in repaying and difficulties in maintaining tractors were cited as main reasons. SILMS saw an increasing usage of animal traction ploughs drawn by two oxen and even a system of renting out oxen and ploughs. But can mechanisation be
Final%202016_SILM%20Annual%20Report%20corrected_Edited.KC-FINAL_clv2IKS.docx