Sunflower success for young people in Tanzania

In Tanzania’s Kongwa district, a remarkable journey of transformation is unfolding.

With dreams of creating his own sunflower oil brand, Mathias, a young entrepreneur, has turned his vision into a reality, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Farm Africa’s Youth and women in agribusiness project, funded by Mastercard foundation through the World Food Programme.

Life before the project

Mathias’ village, like many rural communities, has struggled to retain its young talent. With limited economic opportunities, over 60% of the village’s young people are unemployed or take on low paid work, and many migrate to urban areas in search of work as a result.

Left with a reduced workforce and struggling for growth, the economic and social fabric of the village was under strain. The younger generation was in urgent need of sustainable solutions that could help to revitalise the local economy.

Sunflower potential

Having recognised sunflower farming and oil production as a potential employment opportunity for young people, Farm Africa offered comprehensive technical assistance, workshops and training.

Focusing on sustainable agriculture practices, business management, and market access strategies, the training sessions equipped over 50 young individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to embark upon their own entrepreneurial sunflower ventures.

Photo credit: Farm Africa / Eliza Powell

The project also organised a Youth Innovation Dialogue, a forum offering young men and women a space to exchange ideas, address challenges and work together to find solutions.

Mathias developed a clearer vision for his sunflower oil business thanks to this dialogue, and the ongoing mentorship and support from the project has helped him navigate the intricacies of establishing and running an agricultural enterprise.

The turning point

With advice and support from the project and his family, Mathias was able to identify and purchase a sunflower processing machine capable of processing more than two metric tonnes per day, worth over Tanzanian shilling (TZS) 20 million.

The investment marked a turning point in Mathias’s journey; it will enable him to process 20 metric tonnes of sunflower that will be turned into approximately 5000 litres of sunflower oil and sunflower seedcake, giving Mathias an expected income of about TZS 30 million for the season. That’s over £8,600.

The establishment of his sunflower oil brand not only fulfils Mathias’s entrepreneurial dream, but also creates employment opportunities for five other young people in his village.

Extending beyond personal achievements, the positive impacts of the project aim to enhance the local economy and inspire other young people in the community to start similar enterprises.

The implementation of a processing plant in the village has also encouraged other young people to increase their sunflower production in upcoming seasons, as it provides a reliable market for sunflower crops.

Long-term success

To ensure the long-term success and sustainability of this initiative, the project will offer continuous training, facilitate access to markets, and establish partnerships with local and regional sunflower stakeholders. The goal is to expand the reach and impact of this venture; creating a supportive ecosystem will enable more young people to benefit from similar opportunities.

Mathias has been thinking long-term for his sunflower business too, and has developed a robust plan. He intends to reinvest a portion of his profits into expanding production for both raw materials and oil and exploring new markets.

By adopting sustainable agricultural practices and using local resources, he aims to ensure the continuous growth and resilience of his sunflower oil enterprise. Mathias also plans to mentor other aspiring agriculture entrepreneurs in his village, sharing his knowledge and experience to help them succeed.

Photo credit: Farm Africa / Eliza Powell

Through the project’s combined efforts and the young people’s unwavering determination, we have seen a significant shift towards economic empowerment and sustainable development in the village.

This journey not only highlights the potential within rural communities, but also sets a model for future initiatives aimed at fostering young people’s entrepreneurship and community resilience.