The importance of 'Mvua Kwanza'

I've been learning wild, new things about agriculture and participation (and how to avoid donor syndrome in Tanzania). Having grown up among farmers in rural Denmark this is fun.

Down to earth, basic stuff. Will be working in Arusha this coming week, and learnt one interesting thing while preparing for the trip:

When Nyerere said 'Mvua Kwanza' on the radio back in the 1970ties not many knew or know today exactly what he meant - apart from 'first rain - go out and dig'.

But why is it so important that you dig your soil right at the first rain, and do you know that you may loose out greatly on impact the more days you delay? And do you know that the ones who usually misses out digging their own soil during the first rains, are the poorest, because they may lack tools or may have to dig others' land first before their own.

More later.