Jacob and Elia Nyagawa, two young men from Makambako district, Iringa region, were hired by Mrs. Mlando to operate her modern planters purchased from Silla Auto Spares. These planters, with a capacity to plant at least five acres per day, not only save time and boost productivity but also provide jobs, earning each young man a daily wage of TZS 15,000.
This achievement is part of AGRA-Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems. YEFFA project, funded by Mastercard Foundation and implemented by TAPBDS in the region. The project aims to engage more youth in providing planting services to farmers, ensuring full use of the equipment throughout the planting season while creating new job opportunities.
Farmers now save significantly on costs, as hiring planters costs only TZS 35,000 to plant three acres, compared to the previous TZS 90,000 for manual planting. Local youth earn steady incomes and gain valuable technical and business skills. Additionally, the planters can be rented out year-round to other farmers, helping Mrs. Mlando get a good return on her investment.
To sustain and grow this success, TAPBDS promotes the equipment through community demonstrations, trains youth in operating and managing the business, and works with cooperatives and local governments to reach more farmers. This initiative improves farming efficiency and empowers young people, creating a brighter future for the region.
Contact Tapbds Co. LTD for support in project management, financial and market linkages, and business management training.