By Matukio Daima Media
A total of 120 young people from vulnerable households in Mpangatazara and Mapanda wards have received intensive training in agriculture and livestock keeping as part of efforts to improve their economic opportunities.
The 10-day training was organized by the Youth Agency in Mufindi (YAM) Project in collaboration with the Mufindi District Council and Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation (FCWC).
Speaking during the training at the WCWC Hall in Igoda, Mufindi, lead trainer Othuman Lutambi encouraged the participants to embrace agriculture and livestock keeping as reliable pathways to economic empowerment.
He noted that although agriculture and livestock farming offer enormous opportunities, many young people have been reluctant to invest in the sector, believing that better economic prospects can only be found in urban areas or through informal activities.
"I have personally invested in both food and commercial crop production, particularly avocado farming, which has become one of Mufindi District's most valuable agricultural enterprises," said Lutambi.
He explained that avocado farming has the potential to transform livelihoods within a short period. Harvesting begins after about three years, with each tree producing between 200 and 300 kilograms of fruit. At an average market price of TZS 1,700 per kilogram, farmers can earn between TZS 800,000 and TZS 15 million per hectare, depending on the size and productivity of their farms.
Lutambi further emphasized that young people have significant opportunities in agriculture, especially as the Government continues to implement policies and programs that support youth participation in the agricultural sector.
One of the beneficiaries, Vumilia Mhena from Mpangatazara Ward, described the training as a valuable investment in their future.
"Before attending these sessions, I had never considered agriculture or livestock keeping as business opportunities. Now I am confident that I can establish income-generating projects and improve my family's livelihood," she said.
Another participant, Rashid Ubamba from Mapanda Ward, commended the YAM Project but appealed to the Government to complement such initiatives by providing interest-free loans to enable young people to establish and expand their agricultural enterprises.
YAM Project Manager Zilipa Mgeni explained that the project is jointly implemented by the Mufindi District Council and Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation (FCWC).
She said that during the previous phase, the project reached more than 320 young people and 80 children with disabilities from Luhunga, Mdabulo, and Ihanu wards. In total, 16 villages benefited from the initiative.
According to Mgeni, the current phase focuses on young people from Mapanda and Mpangatazara wards. The 120 participants have already received training in mental health, entrepreneurship, and are now completing training in agriculture and livestock keeping.
Despite the progress, beneficiaries expressed concerns over limited access to startup capital, noting that financial support remains essential for implementing the skills acquired during the training. They urged the Government and development partners to strengthen access to affordable financing to help young entrepreneurs establish sustainable agricultural and livestock projects.
The training sessions are being provided by Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation (FCWC) through the Youth Agency in Mufindi (YAM) Project, in collaboration with the Mufindi District Council, with financial support from the Deaconess Foundation, FCWC, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA).
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