- Case Studies Homepage
- AV DRUM 21 helps fight HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
- Beating Bird Flu in Nigeria
- Ministry of Health, Malawi gets to grips with HIV/AIDS
- Working with ZANIS to enhance civic education in Zambia
- Aiming high in Ghana with the Ford Everest
- Tanzania Cotton Farmers get the latest advice with AV DRUM 21
- Building national consciousness in Nigeria
Tanzania Cotton Farmers get the latest advice with AV DRUM 21
The History of Tanzania Cotton Board can be traced back to 1952, when the Tanganyika Lint and Seed Board was formed by the British Colonial Administration, with the aim of marketing the cotton from Tanganyika. Back then the small holder cotton farmers needed good advice on how to get the best return on their crop. Fast forward half a century and cotton remains an important crop in Tanzania. The market conditions have changed a lot over the last 50 years and the government is no longer directly involved. The autonomous Tanzania Cotton Board was only formed in 2001, but they still considered it essential to provide farmers with the latest advice and support; for the global economy means that no farmer can rely on traditional techniques if they want to remain competitive.
The Tanzania Cotton Board's mandate includes promoting "the growth of production, processing and marketing of cotton" and to "collect, refine and disseminate information concerning cotton and promote its development and improvement of the sector" but most critically "to promote good farming methods and increased production of cotton through farmers' education". It was with this last requirement in mind, that the Board approached AgriVisual to supply two AV DRUM 21 mobile video cinema vans. As well as the Land Rovers, they also ordered Toyota Land Cruisers to compliment the enhanced extension effort.
The Board intends to use them to bring smallholders right up to date with the latest information on planting, pest and disease control and how best to market the crop.