In the Mwanza Region’s Ilemela, Sengerema, and Buchosa District Councils, more than 140,000 Tanzanian women and young people stand to gain from contemporary, nutrient-dense sweet potato farming, which is anticipated to combat childhood malnutrition.

This is through a five-year project called “Tufunguke” that began in January of this year and is being carried out by the Tanzania Home Economics Organisation (TAHEA) in conjunction with the Tanzanian government for a cost of 792.4 million dollars from the WeEffect-Tanzania (organization).

The project also aims to improve the living conditions of beneficiaries’ inhabitants by promoting food security at the home level and promoting economic empowerment.

Bundala Ramadhani, the manager of ‘Tufunguke’, recently revealed to the “Daily News” that five beneficiary groups, each with 30 members, have been established in Buchosa and have received instruction in modern farming.

To ensure that the available sweet potato seeds are free from illnesses and resistant to the effects of climate change, he said, a number of agricultural specialists, including those of Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), have been involved.

He said, “Experts are also in place to give general modern farming education and technology for quality and abundance farm outputs that would compete in local markets.”

Mr. Ramadhani added due to the fact that sweet potatoes are one of the more perishable agricultural products, the recipients were also instructed in food processing techniques for long-term preservation.

Beneficiaries receive financial empowerment training in lending, investing, and money management. Mary Kabati, the director of TAHEA, added that the group conducts microfinance that provides lenient loans and financial management training (to recipients).

Additionally, it was mentioned that since the recipients are already registered with social welfare offices, “Tufunguke” implementers are looking forward to assisting them in joining cooperatives so they may gain access to larger loans from well-known financial institutions.

The sweet potato seeds have been supplied to all group members in the council for production and distribution (of seeds) to other beneficiary districts, according to Mr. Nestory Mjojo, the Buchosa Council Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Officer.

In order to achieve the desired results, he advised the “Tufunguke” beneficiaries to continue using contemporary farming techniques and to share their knowledge with others.

Ms. Anisia Samwel spoke on behalf of the project’s other beneficiaries, noting that they had invested together after training and that the money from those investments would be shared among them at the end of the year.

We also consider progressively buying construction supplies to distribute each December. This is to make our houses better, she remarked.