Kilimanjaro, TZ – MGA Family – 9 Dec 2013

The MGA family garden stands out as a model for other gardeners to follow. They work hard and take a proactive approach to taking care of their garden. So far, the family has been rewarded for their hard work. Their garden is right on the side of the road and anyone coming into Mkyashi for surrounding villages passes by. People have seen how beautiful their vegetables are and they know they are organic, so the MGA’s have been able to charge a premium over the market price for their vegetables. Vegetables are currently selling at the market for 300 TZS per handful (called a funga). This means that farmers and gardeners are paid about 200 TZS per funga by middle men who then sell to customers at the market.  The Msaranga’s sell their vegetables to passers by at 500 TZS per funga.

Despite earning this premium price, the family of 10 has opted to keep most of their vegetables for home consumption, and  they are enjoying the delicious and nutritious variety coming from their garden.

The biggest challenge that family has faced since starting their garden is water supply. Even when water is abundant it doesn’t pass by the family’s house so they have to travel a few hundred meters to get water on a good day – even further when there are water stoppages or  shortages. The problem is exacerbated right now by the fact that the family is growing many seedlings, which require heavier watering than usual. However, we are confident the family will continue to succeed with their garden until a community-based water solution can be found and implemented in Mkyashi.