Before 2023, Oraph Mhema, owner of Mhema Agro in Njombe, faced significant challenges in his agribusiness. Being unclear about market and financial opportunities, he struggled to find the right partners, making it difficult to distribute fertiliser efficiently to villages. This resulted in higher costs and slowed the growth of his business.
In May 2023, TAPBDS, through the AID-I project funded by AGRA, organised a market linkage meeting that brought together key agricultural players, including financial institutions, agro-dealers, Village Based Advisors, farmers’ organisations, and government officials. This event connected Mhema to a network which he leveraged to adopt the VBA model introduced by the AID-I project. and allowed him to involve more youth in fertiliser distribution. Together with a link to farmer organisations, this became instrumental towards his success in operations, helping him overcome previous logistical and market challenges.
In the 2023/2024 season, Mhema collaborated with farmers trained in best agricultural practices through the AID-I project. He distributed 16,000 tons of fertilizer to 180,000 farmers in 2023 and 20,000 tons to 230,000 farmers in 2024, totaling 36,000 tons to 410,000 farmers, making him the leading supplier in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands.
His success not only boosted agricultural productivity in the region but also created job opportunities for 150 young people, including VBAs, involved in his business. By engaging the youth, Mhema demonstrated their potential in transforming the agricultural sector.
Looking ahead, Mhema plans to double the number of VBAs to 300 in the next season, further expanding his impact. His story is a testament to how perseverance, strategic partnerships, and a shared vision with TAPBDS in the AID-I project can turn challenges into success.