Dear Friends and Supporters,

Something great is happening in Morogoro, Tanzania! The organisation Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) is constructing the first Organic Agriculture Farmer Training Centre (FTC) in a country with a total population of up to 45 million people. More than 70% of Tanzanians are involved in agriculture, hence the SAT FTC will be definitely a hot spot for disseminating new progressive ways of farming.[caption id="attachment_633" align="alignright" width="800"]

Two guesthouses at our FTC with a total capacity of 42 beds[/caption]The FTC will have later 50 hectares land available for demonstrating sustainable farming practices. SAT is planning to train small scale farmers, NGOs and governmental extension workers. As well, after gaining for some years experiences, a one or two year diploma or certificate course will offer deeper understanding about farming practices, which will allow us to guarantee food as well for the second and third of our generations.[caption id="attachment_636" align="alignright" width="800"]

An agroforestry system of 5 hectares is already cultivated[/caption]All in all SAT understands itself as a part of a global movement, a movement that is highly needed to change our global food system. At the moment big corporations make a lot of money with farming inputs like fertilizer and GMO seeds. Actually in the last 50 years more than 99% of the research funds were invested in conventional agriculture. If you read literature about productivity, the conventional approach is only 20% ahead, and only with perfect weather conditions. As soon as it comes to droughts and floods, which we are already suffering from, sustainable farming practices are more productive. Just unbelievable since they have received only 1% of the research cake.The organic agriculture approach builds up on local knowledge and culture. Agriculture is multifunctional and has influnce on ecological, social and economical levels. That is something which big corporations do not address in their business plans, which makes the environment suffer and people dependent. It is quite clear that we cannot exploit our mother earth as long as we want. We have to start NOW to create a more sustainable living on our beloved planet.[caption id="attachment_638" align="alignright" width="800"]

A rainwater tank with 300.000l capacity[/caption][caption id="attachment_640" align="alignright" width="800"]

Classrooms under construction[/caption]

for those who don't know these are peanuts growing on our farm

The administration blocks, one block will be used as a store in the first year

Thank you for your support!

Actually Feinkostkistl, a local food delivery service, is helping us with € 500,- and there are already other private people who are supporting us financially. Without you it would not be possible. Furthermore we are happy to see that keas.at is interested to support us with further € 500,-[caption id="attachment_643" align="alignright" width="800"]

Some trees still ready for planting. Actually we planted this year already more than 800[/caption]Our plan is to become a very productive and sustainable farm, our objective is to become 100% financially self sufficent. We are sure, you understand what we are talking about :)

Generally we are happy that through the facebook action we have the opportunity to introduce ourselves. Hence we are writing this post to give you some information about what we are doing.For more information you can visit www.kilimo.org , www.nlo.at , or www.weltagrarbericht.de

Furthermore we want to mention that we received support from Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreich (PPÖ), Biovision Foundation (BV), Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Entwicklungshilfe Klub (EhK), Rotary Club Liechtenstein-Eschenberg, Lions Club, and Land Vorarlberg.All the buildings and the tank on these pictures will be in total constructed for less money compared with the costs for buying a standard three room appartment in Vienna. Cheers!!!