Mbeya University for Science and Technology: Assessment Report
The following page is supplementary to the assessment report to Mbeya University for Science and Technology. The page provides videos for a better understanding of the site.
The farm is located at GPS coordinates of -8.941, 33.416
Mbeya University Farm
Mbeya University Laboratory buildings
Pilot for Milk Processing Plant
Mbeya Farm Water System
Mbeya Farm Greenhouse Production
Mbeya Farm Yara Experiments site
Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) is a prominent public university located in Mbeya Region, Tanzania. Established in 2004, MUST is dedicated to offering high-quality education in science, technology, and innovation. The university provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fields such as engineering, computer science, information technology, business administration, environmental science, and applied statistics. The newest programs are offered via the Agricultural college, established in 2021. The university has over 10,000 students enrolled in 2022-2023.
MUST is considered the main university for many of the engineering & natural science degrees available in the country hence students arrive from across Tanzania. The university has a diverse range of facilities and laboratories, providing ample resources for research, production, and learning activities. The university’s commitment to excellence is reflected in recent investments made in various colleges within the institution. These investments aim to strengthen the capacity of existing staff and attract skilled individuals to fill crucial positions. The university is dedicated to building a talented workforce that can contribute effectively to research, teaching, and industry collaboration. With these ongoing efforts, MUST is poised to foster a dynamic environment that promotes innovation, knowledge creation, and skills development among its faculty and students.
The College of Agriculture at Mbeya University is a newly established institution offering bachelor’s and diploma programs in food science and technology. As for the Crop and Horticultural Science programs, they have been submitted to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) for approval. The university anticipates that these programs will commence in the academic year 2024-2025, with an expected start date in October 2025. Currently, the staffing for the CHSD programs is limited, consisting of one PhD holder and four individuals with master’s degrees. The recruitment process is underway to expand the staff numbers.
The College of Agriculture has initiated collaboration with Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Wageningen University recently donated modern agricultural machinery, including a tractor and a wide range of implements, to enhance the agricultural practices at MUST. There is also an agreement with the fertilizer company, Yara.
Basic Infrastructure:
The farm currently operates on solar power, as it is not connected to a 3-phase electricity grid. However, the main power grid passes near the farm, making the process of connecting to it relatively straightforward. Access to the farm is facilitated by a relatively good dirt road, and there are multiple routes available, ensuring convenient accessibility. Although the farm is not fenced, its boundaries are well defined by trees and the nearby neighborhood, and it benefits from 24-hour security.
The farm holds significant potential for attracting visitors from various backgrounds. MUST’s classes and campus already accommodate schools, companies, and local organizations that require facilities such as classrooms and computers. In June, the farm will host a joint farmer training session in collaboration with YARA. In the nearby town (15km from MUST), there are additional agricultural resources, including the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and a government training center known as MATI-Uyole.
Water and irrigation:
The farm relies on a 120-meter borehole as its water source, with a static water level at 80 meters. A solar-powered pump is used to extract water at a discharge rate of 2m³/h. The pumped water is distributed to two water tanks on the farm. One tank, with a capacity of 10m³, is located near the open field plot and is used for irrigation purposes. The second tank, holding 2m³, is situated near the greenhouse. There are plans to install two additional tanks, each with a capacity of 10m³, at other locations on the farm.
It is important to note that due to sunlight availability, the solar pump operates at full capacity for a maximum of 6 hours daily. This can result in water shortages during peak production periods, particularly in the dry season. Additionally, the farm’s natural and moderate slope causes waterlogging only in the lower section of the farm when it rains. To address this issue, a trench will be constructed in the future to divert excessive water away from the farm.
Soil Data:
The soil composition at the farm is relatively consistent and uniform (to add description). Recently, YARA conducted soil sampling activities on the farm, and the laboratory results are expected in the coming months. These results will provide more comprehensive insights into the soil properties. Based on previous tests conducted on the farm, the soil composition is similar to the natural soil found in the region, which tends to be relatively acidic with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. This soil characteristic may contribute to a deficiency or limited availability of phosphorus, which has been observed in maize plants and is a common issue in the southern highlands.
The farm’s terrain features natural slopes of varying degrees, which can result in waterlogging in certain lower areas, particularly the plot where Irish potatoes are cultivated. To address this, future plans include the construction of a drainage system, such as a farrow, to redirect excess water away from the farm, mitigating the waterlogging issue.
Fertilizer and Soil fertility
Thanks to the cooperation between the farm and YARA company, all fertilizers used in the farm are supplied by Yara, together with the recommendations for the specific crops and stages. Fertilizer application is being done through…
Soil Cultivation:
As previously mentioned, the farm recently received a generous donation of a diverse range of agricultural tractor implements. With these new tools, the farm aims to maximize their utilization in various activities, starting from land preparation to the harvesting of Irish potatoes. Amani, who has received training on operating the implements during his time at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and possesses prior experience, is responsible for determining the appropriate tools to use and the optimal timing for their usage.
In the local area, farmers typically rely on basic tools such as disc plows or harrowers, and the advanced tractor and implements provided to MUST’s farm are not commonly utilized by other farmers at present. However, the idea of extending the use of these tools to benefit other farmers in the region is definitely being considered by MUST.
Crops:
At the farm, there are currently tomatoes being grown in the greenhouses, while the open field is dedicated to the cultivation of Irish potatoes and maize. Additionally, plans are in place to establish a 5-acre avocado orchard on the farm. There is a strong emphasis on diversifying the crops grown and catering to market demands while adhering to good agricultural practices.
For the Irish potato and tomato plots, the farm follows the growing protocols provided by YARA, as per the terms of their agreement. All the seeds purchased are certified and sourced from reputable suppliers in Tanzania. Whenever available, hybrid seeds are preferred for cultivation. To ensure optimal seedling production, a small shade structure is utilized on the farm.
The farm is well-equipped to tackle pests, with a wide array of certified, high-quality pest management agents at their disposal. The farm staff recognizes the immense potential and strategic position of the site in relation to local farmers in the region. As a result, they aim to achieve the highest yields in Tanzania, targeting, for instance, 100 tons per hectare for tomatoes and 40 tons per hectare for Irish potatoes.
Economics:
The region benefits from a wide range of climatic conditions, including cold, tropical, subtropical, and highland areas, which allows for the cultivation of diverse crops. Some of the prominent crops in the area include Irish potatoes, maize, avocados, wheat, bananas, and plantains. Each crop often has multiple Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) associated with it. For instance, in Njombe, a nearby region, there are two AMCOS groups dedicated to Irish potato cultivation.
Market prices for agricultural produce in the region tend to fluctuate, with maize grains averaging around 1000 Tanzanian shillings per kilogram, tomatoes ranging from 800 to 1000 Tanzanian shillings per kilogram, and Irish potatoes approximately 500 Tanzanian shillings per kilogram. In addition to price fluctuations, there are challenges arising from buyer misconceptions regarding storage, cooking properties, and other factors, highlighting the need for market education.
In terms of financial management, the farm operates with its own bank account and aims to generate profits. Some areas of the farm focus primarily on commercial activities, while others prioritize trial activities. To ensure profitability, all inputs, including labor and fertilizers, are carefully monitored and evaluated. In the case of fertilizers, YARA sponsors all inputs for the Irish potato and tomato plots as part of their cooperative demonstration plot initiative.