Developing business acumen in horticultural enterprises

Farm Africa worked with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to provide the support they needed to evolve into profitable, growing agribusinesses. From a ketchup manufacturer to a green bean exporter, the project worked with a huge diversity of businesses engaged across the horticultural value chain.

Project activities catered to the specific needs of each business including bespoke management, financial and technical training, stakeholder mapping and facilitating mutually beneficial contracts between farmers, buyers, suppliers and traders.

We prioritised investment needs and critical areas that could spur business growth. We also worked with 15 MSMEs from the Tanzanian horticulture sector following the increasing demand for spices, fruits and vegetables in local and export markets.

Farm Africa helped the businesses increase their revenue by building their capacity in business management, promoting access to financial services and strengthening market linkages. Furthermore, we connected SMEs to local Business Development Service providers and observed lessons such as building trust and streamlining the selection process.