Empowering Tanzanian Agribusiness: Growing Together Program Champions Local SMEs and Smallholder Farmers

Mbeya, Tanzania — April 2025

In the lush green landscapes of Mbeya, the seeds of agricultural transformation are taking firm root through the “Growing Together” program — an ambitious initiative strengthening Tanzania’s agri-food system by building the capacity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and integrating smallholder farmers into high-value supply chains.

Earlier this month, Lizet Huis in ‘t Veld, CFOO and Executive at IDH – The Sustainable Trade Initiative, joined the IDH Tanzania team on a field visit to several agribusiness SMEs benefiting from the program. The visit, marked by vibrant team spirit and striking scenery, underscored the power of enterprise-driven food systems to unlock Tanzania’s full potential in ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods.

“I am impressed by the beautiful, fertile landscape of the Mbeya region and the entrepreneurship of these businesswomen and men,” said Lizet. “Tanzania clearly has the capacity not only to feed its own population but also contribute significantly to regional food availability.”

Investing in Local Food Systems

The Growing Together program is designed to unlock the full economic and social potential of cereals, pulses, and oilseed value chains by focusing on three key pillars:

1. Capacity Building of SMEs,
2. Improved Access to Finance, and
3. Supply Chain Integration of Smallholder Farmers (SHFs).

By scaling local processing and commercialization, these SMEs serve as critical anchors for thousands of smallholder farmers — over half of whom are women — enabling them to consistently produce quality products, earn decent incomes, and lift their families out of poverty.

“By connecting these farmers into robust supply chains, we are not only improving livelihoods but also reducing reliance on expensive food imports and strengthening resilience against global market shocks,” Lizet added.

Collaboration at the Core

The success of Growing Together is fueled by strategic partnerships. Japhet Nyang’oro, Country Director of IDH Tanzania, emphasized the power of collaboration during the visit:

“It was a pleasure to host Lizet and showcase the work IDH is doing in Tanzania alongside our trusted partners — Rikolto, the Eastern Africa Grain Council, and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. Together, we are committed to supporting SHFs and SMEs to reach our shared goals.”

Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Food Systems

As global food systems face mounting pressure from climate change, currency volatility, and supply chain disruptions, Tanzania is charting a resilient path forward. The Growing Together initiative exemplifies a scalable model where local solutions drive global impact.

Through inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable market integration, this program represents a new chapter for Tanzania’s agri-food economy — one that holds promise for feeding the region, reducing inequality, and strengthening rural economies from the ground up.