Over 500,000 farmers set to benefit as CRDB Bank Foundation and MazaoHub sign deal
CRDB Bank Foundation managing director Tully Mwambapa briefs journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday on the foundation’s partnership with MazaoHub to support smallholder farmers with financial literacy, accessible technology and capital. With her is MazaoHub founder and CEO Geophrey Tenganamba. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT
The three-year agreement is expected to benefit more than 500,000 farmers, providing them with entrepreneurship training, financial literacy and access to funds for key production activities, including land preparation, crop management and post-harvest marketing
Dar es Salaam. CRDB Bank Foundation yesterday entered into a partnership with an agricultural technology company that is known as MazaoHub, in a move aimed at supporting smallholder farmers across Tanzania.
The three-year agreement is expected to benefit more than 500,000 farmers, providing them with entrepreneurship training, financial literacy and access to funds for key production activities, including land preparation, crop management and post-harvest marketing.
From January this year, CRDB Bank Foundation has disbursed over Sh6 billion to farmers for inputs, modern farming tools and machinery to add value to agricultural produce, according to the foundation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam CRDB Bank Foundation managing director Tully Esther Mwambapa said the partnership would combine financial support with technology to improve farming efficiency and productivity.
“Since its establishment, CRDB Bank Foundation has supported women, youth and special groups with training, market access and funding. By working with MazaoHub, we aim to make these services more accessible to smallholder farmers across the country,” she said.
The partnership is expected to directly assist around 10,000 farmers initially, enabling them to assess soil health, determine fertiliser requirements and identify suitable crops for their land. These are the services that MazaoHub provides through its technology platform.
Ms Mwambapa said that the foundation works with other partners to reach farmers who often do not meet traditional banking requirements, opening opportunities to improve agricultural productivity and income.
For his part, MazaoHub chief executive Geophrey Tenganamba said the company had identified a lack of reliable farm information as a key challenge for farmers.
“Our services include soil testing, crop selection advice, input recommendations and linking farmers to markets after harvest. The partnership with CRDB Bank Foundation allows us to expand these services to potentially 500,000 farmers,” he said.
Mr Tenganamba added that MazaoHub currently operates service centres in 15 regions, including Kagera, Kigoma, Mbeya, Morogoro, Rukwa, Tanga and Mtwara. Other regions include Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Singida, Mwanza and Shinyanga, with over 300 service points offering farmers expert guidance.
“In addition to providing technical advice, farmers can access fertilisers, pesticides and other essential inputs at these centres to help improve yields and market readiness,” Tenganamba said.
