Seeds of Prosperity Planted in Kyela: Cocoa Farmers Gain Skills to Cultivate a Brighter Future

Mbeya

In a stride towards agricultural empowerment, cocoa farmers in the verdant Kyela District of Tanzania’s Mbeya Region have concluded an impactful four-day training program. This initiative, spearheaded by the NMB Foundation in collaboration with Rabo Foundation and the Kyela Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Union (KYECU), aimed to equip farmers with crucial skills to elevate the value of their cocoa crops and, consequently, their incomes.

District Commissioner Josephine Manase underscored the transformative potential of the training, stating its purpose was to evolve cocoa farming into a more lucrative and sustainable enterprise. The comprehensive curriculum reached 74 participants representing 37 Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS), covering vital areas such as cocoa value chains, sustainable farming methodologies, entrepreneurial acumen, financial literacy, and effective strategies for accessing and managing agricultural loans.

The ripple effects of this initiative are projected to extend beyond individual farm incomes, promising broader economic advantages for the region. These include the potential for job creation through value-added production and an increase in government revenue.

The farmers themselves voiced profound appreciation for the knowledge imparted, while also highlighting a critical need for infrastructure improvements in Kyela, particularly the roads, to streamline the transportation of their valuable cocoa harvests.

DC Manase lauded the program for its alignment with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision for a robust agricultural sector and empowered rural communities. She emphasized the crucial step of translating classroom learning into tangible improvements in the daily work of cooperative members across the district. “Cocoa farming is a key tool to boost cocoa quality, access better markets, and create employment for youth and women,” she affirmed.

Nabii Wayekenda, the acting manager of KYECU, echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude to the NMB Foundation for enriching the expertise of members from the 37 AMCOS. He emphasized the pivotal role of training and education in ensuring the long-term prosperity and sustainability of cocoa farming in the area.

Evance Mwaipopo, a participant from Mwabusye AMCOS, lauded the NMB Foundation for the diverse and beneficial topics covered, including cocoa value addition, environmentally conscious farming practices, and essential entrepreneurship and business planning skills.

Looking ahead, participants urged the NMB Foundation to maintain their support for Kyela’s cocoa farmers while appealing to the government to address the dilapidated road network that hinders the transport of agricultural products, including cocoa.

Rodgers Shipella, the NMB Foundation’s highlands zone coordinator, highlighted the collaborative project with Rabo Foundation focused on adding value through semi-processing. This involves empowering farmers through training in cooperative leadership, entrepreneurship, financial education, value addition, market access, and cocoa processing within Kyela District.

“Since the project’s inception in October 2023, we have reached 1,281 farmers, including 314 women and 967 men,” Shipella explained. “Our primary aim is not only to enhance the value of the cocoa crop but also to establish fair pricing. Furthermore, the project seeks to generate cocoa processing jobs for youth and women, offering them pathways to increased daily incomes. Ultimately, this initiative will benefit farmers and their cooperatives, as well as other key stakeholders such as cooperatives, the government, and buyers.”

Shipella clarified that farmers can anticipate fairer and more stable prices and secure markets, while both local and central governments stand to gain through increased revenues, fostering the continued growth and sustainability of cocoa production in the region. This collaborative effort signifies a promising step towards unlocking the full potential of Kyela’s cocoa sector, sowing the seeds for a more prosperous future for its dedicated farmers and the wider community.