Beyond the Demonstration Plot: How Bariki is putting Climate-Smart Agriculture into practice.

Traditionally, many smallholder farmers in southern Tanzania have relied on conventional methods, planting without close attention to spacing, timing, or weather patterns, which often led to inconsistent yields. In recent years, unpredictable weather, from unseasonal hailstorms to shifting rainfall patterns, has made these old methods even less reliable.  

Everything changed when Bariki joined Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) training through the CARE Tanzania’s Her Resilience, Our Planet (HROP) project. Each day, he walked to nearby demonstration plots where farmers learned, observed, and discussed new farming techniques.

Through the training, Bariki learned climate-smart farming practices such as proper spacing, timely planting, responsible fertiliser use, reduced soil disturbance, and pest management techniques. 

“What I learned through the training was different from the way I had been farming before,” Bariki explains. “I saw that these practices could improve the way I farmed, so I decided to try them for myself.” 

The training was eye-opening. However, rather than simply accepting the techniques he had learned through the FFBS training, Bariki wanted to see whether the practices would work under his own conditions. Having previously grown Kidinya potato variety, he decided to plant SAGITTA, which is an improved variety, has a higher yield and meets market demand.  

The season was far from easy. Unexpected hailstorms damaged part of the crop, affecting production at a critical stage of growth. Bariki also faced another challenge during planting. Although he had hired labourers to help establish the crop, the recommended spacing guidelines were not followed, which affected the farm’s overall performance. 

Despite these setbacks, Bariki saw the season as an important learning opportunity.

She adds, “When farmers have access to practical training, opportunities to test new approaches, and support from their communities, they are better equipped to adapt to changing weather patterns, strengthen their livelihoods, and build a more resilient future for their families.” 

Rather than becoming discouraged, Bariki used the experience to reflect on what worked and what could be improved. “I have learned that challenges are a normal part of farming,” he says. “Weather conditions can affect any crop. What I will do differently next time is supervise the work more closely to make sure the recommended practices are followed.”

Rather than discouraging him, the experience strengthened his confidence. He saw enough evidence to believe that the practices could help improve productivity if applied correctly and under better conditions. 

“I am satisfied with the results despite the challenges,” says Bariki. 

For Bariki, the most important outcome was not the number of bags harvested. It was the knowledge and confidence he gained by testing new approaches and learning from both successes and challenges. 

Today, Bariki is sharing those lessons with others. As a Lead Farmer and Community-Based Trainer, he uses his own potato plot as a practical demonstration site where fellow farmers can observe improved farming practices and learn from his experience, including the challenges he faced. Looking ahead, he plans to continue growing SAGITTA potatoes on a larger area, applying the lessons from his first season while supporting other farmers to adopt climate-smart practices and build resilience to changing weather conditions. 

His farm has become more than a source of livelihood. It is now a practical learning space where others can see firsthand what is possible when farmers are equipped with knowledge, supported to experiment, and empowered to make informed decisions about their future.

“When farmers see the results for themselves, they begin to believe that change is possible. That is what happened to me, and now I want others to learn from my experience,” says Bariki.