With the new crops growing in the villages within Mkuranga, the villagers have been learning gardening through trial and error.

Hamid Bharmal is a commercial farmer based in the district who has offered practical and moral support.

His farm produces most of the eggs that are consumed in the Dar es Salaam area and his chicken production is in great demand with the poultry import ban in effect. Coconut, papaya, mango, guava, lime, banana and plantain are some of the products produced on Kazole farm. Manure to enrich their soil was offered from the farm as well.

Among the suggestions for the villagers was how to hoe the soil into a basin around each plant. This will both contain the water dripping into the soil, as well as keep the irrigation line elevated so it will stay clean.

The introduction of a papaya crop was suggested as a high-income earner for the villagers. It would grow around the perimeter of the garden plot and produce shade as well as a very nutritious fruit.

Planning ahead for a better self-sustaining lifestyle, Mr. Bharmal suggested goats and chickens that have been raised locally. The locally raised chickens would be more resistant to diseases and be better producing. This would give both eggs and meat to the villagers. Goats would provide meat and milk, as well as keep the overgrowth around the well areas in control.

He commended the villagers on their first crop of okra and even purchased some to take home with him.

Both the villagers and Mr. Bharmal were pleased with the progress made on this day and look forward to continuing in the near future.