Guidelines for cultivation of pyrethrum for smallholder farmers

Abstract

In Makete district there is high dependence of farmers on woodlot management for generating income as an adaptation strategy to climate change. However, most farmers are forced to sell immature trees and fail to tend their woodlots because of poverty. A possible remedy to this situation is the promotion of alternative income generating activities. Using a participatory approach between farmers, researchers and Makete district council officials the cultivation of pyrethrum and apple trees were identified as feasible alternative income generation activities. The production of guidelines are meant to provide best practices to enhance efficiency in the production of pyrethrum and apples. Multiple income sources will enable woodlot farmers to waiting for their trees to mature contrary to the current practice of harvesting immature timber.

These Guidelines were developed through participatory approaches and technical recommendations of the researchers from: the Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture; the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute; Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania LTD; and Uyole Agricultural Research Institute. Forest staff and the management of Makete District Council, also participated in this research. The research was funded by the government of Denmark through The UNEP/UNDP Climate Change and Development: Adapting by Reducing Vulnerability (CC DARE) programme. This booklet is on pyrethrum.