Utete, TZ – KCM plans ahead to ensure predictable delivery of vegetables for kindergarteners – 21 Apr 2017

KCM applied knowledge gained through years of farming in Kindwitwi to ensure they continued to deliver value to local kindergarten students. By preparing a back-up vegetable garden, they have been able continued providing kindergarten students with vegetables for breakfast even as their usual farm lands flood.

KCM has been providing daily vegetables to 60 students at the local kindergarten for over a year. Kindwitwi is a harsh environment for growing vegetables. The weather alternates between a hot, dry season and a rainy season which causes the Rufiji River to flood. In order to deliver a consistent and predictable supply of vegetables, KCM must always be thinking ahead and planning for the next season.

Flooded farmland on the banks of the Rufiji River.

In late January, the banks of the Rufiji River were perfect for planting and growing vegetables. KCM was harvesting more than enough for the kindergarten students and were even selling extra vegetables in nearby Utete. However, they knew from past experience that the river was likely to flood in the coming months. KCM planted a back-up garden at a nearby hot spring to prepare for possible flooding that would ruin their existing vegetable gardens.

The hot springs can only be used as a back-up plan. When the Rufiji River is low, the water at the hot springs is filled with minerals which make it unsuitable for growing vegetables. However, when the river floods it dilutes the water at the hot springs and makes the area suitable for growing vegetables.

Beans growing at KCM’s back up garden at the hot springs.

Now, KCM is continuing to care for and expand their growing area at the hot springs. They hope the river will reside by the beginning of June so they can start preparing vegetable gardens on its banks once again.