Farmers across Tanzania are celebrating the success of a market-oriented farming approach that has transformed their agricultural practices and significantly boosted their incomes.
Mr. Miraji Ngoma and Mr. Suleiman Kipaza, members of the Agri-Genius farmer group in Arusha, shared that they previously experienced frequent losses when producing crops without considering market demand.
After participating in training sessions under the Tanzania Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion Project (TANSHEP), they conducted market surveys in nearby areas, such as Kilombero Arusha, and discovered that switching from watermelons to tomatoes would yield better results.
"This shift not only improved our sales but also brought a much-needed income increase, showcasing the tangible benefits of farming as a business," they said.
The TANSHEP project, a collaborative initiative led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and local Tanzanian authorities, has helped thousands of farmers adopt a “grow to sell” mindset, moving away from the traditional “grow and sell” model.
Since the project began in 2019, over 10,000 farmers have been trained on the SHEP (Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion) approach, with more than 7,000 already applying these techniques in their fields.
By conducting market research before planting, farmers now understand specific requirements, including preferred crop varieties, sizes, and colors that meet buyers' needs, leading to a 45%-59% income increase – far surpassing the initial project target of a 25% boost.
This transformation was celebrated during a final Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting in Morogoro, where representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), and JICA Tanzania gathered to reflect on the project’s impact and set plans for the future.
Mr. Suleiman, Deputy Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Agriculture, praised the contributions of agriculture and extension officers at the grassroots level, acknowledging their critical role in equipping farmers with knowledge, skills, and ongoing support.
"These officers are the backbone of agricultural initiatives, helping ensure that market-oriented practices reach not only project-targeted areas but extend to other farming communities," he noted.
JICA Tanzania’s Chief Representative Mr. Ara Hitoshi highlighted TANSHEP’s achievements, including the development and nationwide distribution of a SHEP manual detailing the approach for practical use by local government authorities and agricultural extension officers.
The approach has also been embedded into Tanzania's national agricultural policies, including the National Horticulture Development Strategy, and forms part of the curriculum for agricultural training institutions.
As the first phase of the project concludes in December 2024, the second phase is set to launch in April 2025, aiming to scale these successes across Tanzania to enhance agricultural productivity and improve farmers' livelihoods on a national scale.