Tanzania’s Agricultural Sector Opens Up To Private Investors

Written by Staff

Jun 09, 2015

Dennis Mwanjelwa learnt of the Mtenda Kyela Rice Supply market only a year ago but could not be any happier today

With Tanzania’s new rice harvesting season starting later in June, Mwanjelwa is already counting his luck. The smallholder rice grower from Chamoto Village, in Mbeya region, tripled his harvest over last year’s produce.

“I am now looking forward to selling all my 15,000 tonnes of rice to the company. I pinched myself when the yields shot up from just 5 tonnes I got in the previous year,” says an excited Mwanjelwa who grew rice on his three acres piece of land.

He attributes his quick success to training by Mtenda Kyela Rice Supply market initiative after he was convinced to join in the scheme. Along with 15,000 other villagers, they have since been taught how to raise yields and earn more from the same piece of land.

“I will make good money in June. As soon as my children are off to school, I plan to construct a small rice store because I see my harvests growing even further in the next growing season. I have a new target next year,” says Mwanjelwa.

Unknown to farmers, Mkenda Kyela Supply Company is part of a public-private plan to develop the agricultural sector in Tanzania.

The company will buy 100,000 tonnes of rice from Chamoto farmers and others in the region. The company is a partner in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor (SAGCOT), a public private partnership fostering responsible agribusiness investments in in the rich southern highlands.

“We are here to work with the small holder farmers for mutual benefit.

We offer them interest-free loans on farm inputs, training and extension services. We offer a ready market for the resultant produce at a win-win price. The season that starts in June is going to give a better price,” says George Mtenda, the company’s Managing Director.

The company is also one of 16 Tanzanian based companies which have pledged to expand agriculture investments in a responsible manner, including smallholder farmers, under the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition.