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This report presents the findings of a diagnostic study conducted to evaluate the supply and demand of Business Development Services (BDS) in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands under the Building Inclusive and Competitive Horticulture Businesses (BICHOBS) project. The study assesses the mechanisms required to enhance engagement between Farmer Business Organizations (FBOs) and BDS providers, evaluates the enabling environment for BDS, and identifies gaps in service delivery. Data was collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders, including local government authorities (LGAs), FBOs, SMEs, and other value chain actors.
This study provides an in-depth contextual analysis of the urban food environments in Arusha and Mbeya, commissioned by Rikolto in East Africa. It examines three key thematic areas: Food Markets for All, Good Food at School, and Generation Food. The report identifies the drivers and barriers to healthy, sustainable, and nutritious (HSN) food consumption, maps food flows and inefficiencies in key value chains, and explores youth entrepreneurship, school food environments, and gender dynamics. Methodologies included desk review, stakeholder interviews, and qualitative assessments to inform the design of city food strategies and Rikolto’s 2022–2026 Food Smart Cities programme.
This report presents the findings of a diagnostic evaluation of Umoja wa Wakulima wa Parachichi Rungwe (UWAMARU), a cooperative in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, using the SCOPE Basic® methodology. The assessment measures UWAMARU’s professionalism and management maturity across eight key dimensions, including governance, financial management, sustainability, and market strategies. Conducted through interviews with board members and management, the study identifies strengths (e.g., strong governance, GlobalGAP certification) and critical gaps (e.g., financial tools, cold storage infrastructure). The report benchmarks UWAMARU against global and sectoral averages, providing actionable recommendations to enhance competitiveness, access to finance, and value chain integration.
This report presents the findings of a comprehensive study on food safety risks associated with the production, handling, and consumption of fruits and vegetables in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Conducted by NM-AIST and funded by Rikolto, the assessment identifies physical, biological, and chemical hazards across the supply chain, evaluates their impact on trade and livelihoods, and reviews existing inspection and surveillance systems. The study employs methodologies such as focus group discussions (FGDs), individual interviews, and laboratory analyses of sampled produce to provide evidence-based recommendations for intervention strategies, awareness campaigns, and policy integration.
This report presents the findings of a diagnostic assessment conducted on Umoja wa Wakulima wa Parachichi Mbozi (UWAMAMBO), an avocado farmers' association in Mbozi, Tanzania, using the SCOPE Basic® tool. The assessment evaluates the organization’s professionalism, management maturity, and readiness for business development services (BDS), finance, and market linkages.
This report presents the findings of a baseline study conducted by Rikolto under the AGRI-CONNECT programme, funded by the European Union. The study aims to establish initial benchmarks for measuring the impact of a four-year project focused on building inclusive and competitive horticulture businesses in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands. It evaluates the socio-economic status of smallholder farmers, the structure and efficiency of horticulture value chains, access to business development services (BDS), and factors influencing market access, production practices, and nutrition. Data was collected using mixed methods including household surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions across five regions: Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya, Songwe, and Katavi. The findings inform programme design and implementation by highlighting gaps in productivity, value addition, input use, market linkages, gender inclusion, and access to services. Recommendations are offered to strengthen FBOs, enhance BDS, improve extension and market information systems, promote value addition, and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Midterm Review of the BICHOBS project, funded by the EU under AGRI-CONNECT, highlights strong progress in boosting inclusive and competitive horticulture in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands.
Key Results:
This report presents the findings of the Endline Evaluation of the BICHOBS project, implemented by Rikolto and partners from 2020 to 2024. The evaluation assesses the project's performance against its objectives of enhancing the horticulture sector in Tanzania by increasing smallholder farmer inclusion, fostering job creation, and improving nutritional security. It utilizes a mixed-methods approach and applies the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria to analyze the project's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, providing key findings and lessons learned for future programming.
This report presents the findings of a diagnostic study evaluating the supply and demand of Business Development Services (BDS) in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. It assesses the mechanisms needed to enhance engagement between Farmer Business Organizations (FBOs) and BDS providers, and evaluates the enabling environment for BDS. The study utilizes various data collection methods including FGDs and interviews with LGAs, FBOs, SMEs, and other value chain actors to provide a thorough analysis and recommendations for programme management.
This report evaluates the status, challenges, and opportunities of horticulture aggregation centers (packhouses, collection centers, and cold chain systems) across five regions in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands. Funded by the European Union under the AGRI-CONNECT Programme, the BICHOBS Project aims to enhance market competitiveness and reduce post-harvest losses for smallholder farmers. Key findings include mapping of existing centers, demand for aggregation services, financial viability, and recommendations for sustainable models like the Lead Firm Approach and Farmer Service Centers. The document also highlights innovations, private sector engagement, and policy implications to strengthen Tanzania’s horticulture value chain.