Championing Youth and Women for Tanzania’s Agricultural Transformation
On a bright August morning in Dodoma, an eager crowd gathered at the 2024 Nane Nane Agricultural Exhibition, Conference Pavillion. The anticipation was palpable, with young farmers, women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders all converging to hear from Tulalumba Mloge, Principal Executive Assistant to the CEO of SAGCOT. As she stepped onto the stage at the Youth and Women Forum, Mloge delivered a passionate and insightful speech that underscored the pivotal role of youth and women in driving Tanzania’s agricultural future.
A Call to Empower Youth and Women in Agriculture
“Today, we stand on the brink of a transformation,” Mloge began, her voice resonating with confidence. “Agriculture in Tanzania is changing, and at the heart of this change are the young farmers and women entrepreneurs who are leading us into the future.”
In her speech, Mloge emphasized the essential role that youth and women play in shaping a more resilient and productive agricultural sector. She noted that while SAGCOT has primarily focused on agricultural development in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, its success has paved the way for nationwide expansion. Mloge announced that, beginning in 2025, SAGCOT would expand beyond the Southern Corridor to support farmers and agripreneurs across all regions of Tanzania, a move inspired by the vision of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has tasked us with replicating SAGCOT’s successes across Tanzania, ensuring that our youth and women are empowered to lead this agricultural revolution,” Mloge declared, sparking applause from the audience. “From next year, we will be working in every corridor of Tanzania, and we look forward to seeing the incredible work you will all do.”
Showcasing Success: Youth-Led Agribusiness Stories
Mloge’s words were brought to life when she introduced several young farmers and women entrepreneurs who had benefitted from SAGCOT’s programs. One by one, they stood, each a testament to the transformative power of agricultural development.
“Here with us today is Hadija (Jabiri), one of our rising stars in the potato and avocado value chains,” Mloge said, acknowledging the young farmer from Njombe. Khadija’s smile lit up the room as the audience cheered, recognizing her hard work and success in the sector.
Mloge also shared the story of Naomi (Naomi Mwasambili -), a young entrepreneur behind Mababu Chocolate, a product SAGCOT helped to introduce to international markets. “Naomi’s journey is a testament to how agriculture can lead to innovative, value-added products that reach global markets,” Mloge said, adding that the initial results had been overwhelmingly positive.
Her pride in these young farmers and entrepreneurs was evident as she spoke of other success stories, including Shamimu, who excelled in potato farming, and a group of former boda boda riders from Songwe who transitioned into rice farming with SAGCOT’s support. “These young people are not just participants in agriculture,” Mloge emphasized, “they are leaders, shaping its future.”
Building Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains
Mloge highlighted the importance of developing sustainable value chains across different agricultural sectors, with a special focus on crops like potatoes, avocados, and vegetables. She spoke of how SAGCOT had been instrumental in transforming the potato industry in the Southern Highlands, especially in Njombe, and how these efforts were now expanding to other regions and crops.
“We work to ensure that the projects we start are not just temporary,” Mloge said. “We are committed to long-term success, following up with these farmers and ensuring they have the support they need to thrive.” She praised the contributions of young farmers like Shamimu and entrepreneurs like Hadija, who have successfully integrated themselves into key agricultural value chains, from avocados to spices.
Mloge also pointed to the impact of women-led enterprises, such as Theresia Numbi from Dodoma Cemen which has played a key role in improving soil health across Tanzania. “We are supporting women in all aspects of agriculture, from production to business, ensuring they have access to the resources they need to succeed,” Mloge added.
Public-Private Partnerships Driving Agricultural Growth
Earlier, in the day, Mloge had addressed a press conference at the Avocado Pavilion, where she delved into the role of public-private partnerships in fostering agricultural development. “SAGCOT is not just a project,” she explained, “it’s a partnership between the public and private sectors, designed to facilitate and sustain agricultural value chains across Tanzania.”
Mloge highlighted the collaboration between SAGCOT and companies like Afrifarm, a subsidiary of ASAS Group, which organized and coordinated avocado farmers to showcase their produce at the Nane Nane exhibitions. “Afrifarm’s work is a prime example of how the private sector is taking the lead in organizing value chains,” she noted. “This kind of initiative is what will drive the future of agriculture in Tanzania.”
She commended the government’s responsiveness to private sector initiatives, citing the creation of the Avocado Pavilion as a successful collaboration between Afrifarm and government stakeholders. “The pavilion was designed and proposed by Afrifarm, and the government was quick to approve and support the idea,” Mloge explained, underscoring how such partnerships were key to unlocking Tanzania’s agricultural potential.
The pavilion, featuring various stakeholders from banks to transport companies, showcased the complete avocado value chain, from seedlings to export logistics. “This is the future of agriculture,” Mloge said proudly, “where the private sector and government work hand in hand to support farmers and ensure that value is added at every step of the process.”
The Road Ahead: Youth and Women Leading the Transformation
As Mloge wrapped up her speeches, one message rang clear: the future of Tanzania’s agricultural sector belongs to its youth and women. The success stories she shared—of young farmers turning their passion into profit, of women entrepreneurs leading innovative businesses, and of entire value chains being transformed—offered a glimpse of what is possible when the right support systems are in place.
“We are just getting started,” Mloge concluded. “We believe in the power of our youth and women to lead this transformation, and we will be with you every step of the way.”
With SAGCOT expanding its footprint across the country and continuing to foster public-private partnerships, Tanzania’s agricultural sector is poised for a bright future. And at the forefront of this transformation are the young farmers and women entrepreneurs who are not only seizing the opportunities before them but also creating new ones for generations to come.
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