Tanzanian hortipreneurs: a new generation

Challenges

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Food systems across the Southern Highlands are characterised by unsustainable practices and poor inclusion:

• Food contamination of grains, fresh fruits and vegetables;
• Poorly organised agri-enterprises, leading to the use of poor-quality inputs and the production of low-quality goods;
• Limited access to new technologies and farming techniques, especially for smallholder farmers;
• Environmental issues such as soil erosion and water loss remain important problems that are only exacerbated by climate change;

• Inadequate storage facilities and the limited use of cold trucks contribute to large post-harvest losses (20-50% of produce);
• Safe and healthy fruits and vegetables are hard to find, and dietary diversity is low, leading to a high prevalence of malnutrition among children. This is one of the causes of stunting and wasting.

But there are even more challenges for youth and innovative ideas:

• High unemployment rates amongst youth causes young people to struggle to develop innovative and sustainable food businesses because of a lack of agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills and a limited access to resources.
• Sustainable and fair food systems require innovative solutions, creativity and a break from business as usual, but investing in innovative business ideas can be risky.

ALTERNATIVE PARAGRAPH

Food systems across the Southern Highlands are characterised by unsustainable practices and poor inclusion. A first challenge is the food contamination of grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Agri-enterprises are poorly organised, leading to the use of poor-quality inputs and the production of low-quality goods. Limited access to new technologies and farming techniques, effects the cultivation process of farmers, especially for smallholder farmers. Environmental issues such as soil erosion and water loss, remain important problems that are only exacerbated by climate change. Additionally, inadequate storage facilities and the limited use of cold trucks contribute to large post-harvest losses. Safe and healthy fruits and vegetables are hard to find, and dietary diversity is low, leading to a high prevalence of malnutrition among children. This is one of the causes of stunting and waisting.

Youth face even more challenges within the region. Due to high unemployment rates, young people struggle to develop innovative and sustainable food businesses. This is also caused by the limited access to resources and lack of agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills. Besides, sustainable and fair food systems require innovative solutions, creativity and a break from business as usual, but investing in innovative business ideas can be risky.

Results

Project results

• 100 youth (per year) improve their business, administration and entrepreneurial skills and strengthen their understanding of food systems.
• Generation Food participants innovate and co-create business solutions.
• Up to 15 businesses are financially supported each year after the acceleration phase.
• Young hortipreneurs are effectively connected to local and international business networks and can connect with peers, mentors, and potential investors.

In the long term…

The project will contribute to the following objectives:

• Support the development of agri-businesses that deliver sustainable solutions for the most pressing food system challenges in the Southern Highlands
• Increase employment of young people in the Southern Highlands
• Enable young people to become ambassadors of safe and sustainable food in their networks and raise awareness about safe & sustainable food consumption.

Ultimately, the project will contribute to our vision of sustainable and fair food systems in the Southern Highlands that increase the accessibility of safe and healthy food to all consumers, generates a fair income for all actors throughout the chain and reduces the ecological impact on the planet.

Figures

The Generation Food Accelerator in the Southern Highlands is a project that runs from May 2021 to May 2024. It will focus on young women and men between 18 and 35 from both rural and urban areas with a strong interest in developing their own business in the horticulture sector, such as young graduates, unemployed youth, and farmers.

We expect to target (each year):

• 100 participants in the Bootcamp: 20 youth per region
• 25 entrepreneurs in the Acceleration phase
• 15 entrepreneurs (3 per region) receiving seed funding