Resilient horticulture businesses in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands

Collaboration for productivity in Tanzania

Tanzania’s population is growing rapidly, but erratic rainfall and frequent droughts compromise agricultural productivity. To support food and livelihood security, Rikolto and iCRA partnered to strengthen farmers’ competitive edge and boost profit.

Tanzania’s southern highlands boast great potential for higher fruit and vegetable productivity on smallholdings. However, smallholders are especially vulnerable to climate challenges and struggle to increase their yields. This project provided small agribusinesses with business management and collaboration skills training. It was designed to increase access to business development services and improve trading efficiency through stronger business relationships.

iCRA trained regional agribusiness trainers in five regions of Tanzania: Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya, Songwe and Katavi. Equipped with partnership facilitation skills and virtually mentored by iCRA’s experts, these trainers support cluster coaches to coordinate collaboration in local networks of agribusinesses. iCRA also trained Rikolto’s staff to facilitate ABC formation and agribusiness partnerships throughout their life cycle.

Collaboration generates competitive business

This project resulted in smallholder fruit and vegetable farmers receiving better access to finance. Strong business relationships improved efficiency and grew profit margins across the value chain. Horticulture platforms and other member-based organisations in Tanzania’s fruit and vegetable sector also benefitted from greater coordination.

Want to hear about the project’s impact from the perspective of the social enterprise? Read more here.