DodomaTZ
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- May 20, 2022
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Speaking today after the ongoing training at the Igoda Orphanage Hall in Mufindi, instructor Jerry Chang'a emphasized the fertility of Mufindi's soil for tomato cultivation, despite the prevalent maize and bean farming practices.
Through this training facilitated by the Youth Agency Mufindi (YAM) Project, the youths now have the opportunity to specialize in high-yield tomato farming and improve their livelihoods.
Chang'a noted that currently, residents of Luhunga, Ihanu, and Mdabulo rely on tomatoes from the Mafinga market, which is over 55 kilometers away, and tomatoes there are sold at high prices, with one tomato fetching Tsh 100. He urged them to capitalize on their land for tomato farming and sell their produce at better prices in urban centers.
He emphasized that through the YAM Project, the youths will unlock economic opportunities through tomato farming and encouraged them to shift from traditional maize farming to lucrative tomato farming, which can be sustained throughout the year due to Mufindi's favorable climate.
Chang'a highlighted the economic potential of tomato farming, citing that one acre of tomato farming could yield up to Tsh 30 million, compared to Tsh 7 million from maize farming. He also pointed out that most of the youths have access to land, either through ownership or affordable rental arrangements.
Participants Ferdinando Morris Gandye and Yosepha Mgonidugulu expressed their newfound appreciation for tomato farming and pledged to broaden their horizons with the knowledge gained from the training.
Assistant Manager of the YAM Project, Daniford Mkumba, disclosed that the training involved 140 youths from 16 villages across three wards of Mufindi district.
He further explained that the agricultural and entrepreneurial training for youths is being provided by the Mufindi District Council under the Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation (FCWC) Project, with funding from Finland. The project aims to reach 320 youths, and as of now, since its inception in 2021, it has already benefited 420 youths across all 16 villages.
By Matukio Daima Media
