Why TBL's contract farming is a game changer for farmers

 

Sorghum covers about 0.8 million hectares of land annually, with average productivity of about 1,000 kg/ha in Tanzania.

By Alex Nelson Malanga

Business journalist

What you need to know:

Going by the TBL Smart Agriculture Report 2022, Mwamkosi Group in Arusha confirmed that 62 percent of farmers who are part to the arrangement worry less about their children’s tomorrow because the school fees challenge is now a thing of the past.

Dar es Salaam. Some farmers in Tanzania now worry less about meeting their financial obligation including preparing children’s future, this is thanks to contract farming arrangement with the Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL).

The brewer, which started direct contract farming four years ago, has so far engaged with 4,524 barley, sorghum and grape farmers from Dodoma, Arusha and Manyara regions, with the beer makers’ contribution to direct contract farming during the period, standing at Sh68 billion.

Going by the TBL Smart Agriculture Report 2022, Mwamkosi Group in Arusha confirmed that 62 percent of farmers who are part to the arrangement worry less about their children’s tomorrow because the school fees challenge is now a thing of the past.

The icing on the cake, 51 percent of farmers were able to build their own houses.

“I get money for schooling my children and building my house,” says Arusha barley farmer Mathew Musa during the launch of the TBL Smart Agriculture Report 2022 on Thursday.

Again, among barley and grape farmers that impact has been seen more significantly as also their yield and price increment has been much more drastic compared to sorghum farmers.

A sorghum farmer from Manyara Region, Abel Daniel says contract farming has transformed the lives of farmers.

“We have been able to buy tractors to facilitate farming,” reveals Daniel wearing a broad smile.

He goes on saying: “We are able to start other projects from this income.”

The fact that farmers can realise their dreams now has been reported by 53 percent of farmers overall.

However, among barley and grape farmers, that satisfaction is even higher at 76 percent and 73 percent respectively.

Under the farming contract, the beer maker supports its direct farmers to be skilled, connected and financially empowered for them to improve their productivity, profitability and efficient use of natural resources such as soil and water.