Project description / objective
To increase the overall access of inputs and technologies among poor farmers, and improve their performance in maize and poultry market systems both of which are highly relevant to Tanzania’s rural poor.
Market systems and interventions
Maize and poultry
Interventions include:
- A lead farmer and village extension worker model and establishing crop demonstration and management plots to improve agronomic practices and application of agricultural technologies
- Strengthening agrovet service providers and building the capacity of existing agro-dealers, traders and other entrepreneurs to improve market access for both input supply and output market linkage. We also support community poultry promoters and promote better, profitable marketing arrangements for farmers through collective marketing or contractual agreements with sellers
- Supporting small-scale loans for smallholder agriculture and livestock producers who are in need of working capital and investments in equipment, thus improving access to finance
- Provide small grants and loans to targeted businesses to encourage wider investment and delivery of support services in the un-served or under-served market. Examples include poultry hatchery, feed millers, maize processors.
Results:
- 77,200 farmers have increased their real incomes by 10%
- Increases in incomes for 39% of maize farmers and 73% of poultry farmers
- 30% farmers increased their median yield for maize
- 63% farmers increased their median numbers for eggs/meat
- 8,000 producer groups have been formed
- 15 regional and 40 local market assessments were conducted and analysed to identify key market actors and market opportunities
- 14% maize farmers and 28% poultry farmers are now selling their products through collective arrangements
- 89 trained agrovet/agrodealers provide improved inputs and services at smallholders level
- $3.2 million worth of loans have been disbursed among 18,600 smallholder farmers with a 98% repayment rate
- $722,300 investment fund support has been provided to 50 businesses to expand their products and services among smallholder level.
Updated June 2016