The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Mweli, has commended Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) for its ‘Shamba ni Mali’ initiative, which aims to empower over 4,000 smallholder farmers across the country particularly those cultivating sorghum, barley, and maize, key raw materials used in the company’s beer production.

The initiative seeks to support smallholder farmers in overcoming challenges such as the use of counterfeit farm inputs, outdated farming technologies, unpredictable weather patterns, and limited access to modern agricultural knowledge.

Speaking during the launch event, Mweli noted that the initiative aligns with the country’s broader development goals and will play a significant role in transforming the lives of smallholder farmers.

“‘Shamba ni Mali’ supports the aspirations of the Agriculture Master Plan 2050, which envisions a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agricultural sector that contributes to transforming Tanzania into a higher middle-income nation,” said Mweli.

This initiative builds upon previous SBL programs, expanding support from 600 farmers to over 4,000. Speaking on behalf of SBL, Managing Director Obinna Anyalebechi highlighted the transformative goals of the program, which aim to create lasting benefits for both farmers and the company by ensuring sustainable sourcing, strengthening the supply chain, and promoting increased farmer incomes.

“We aim to provide access to improved seed varieties, promote regenerative agriculture, and offer technical training to help farmers increase yields and improve livelihoods,” said Anyalebechi.

The initiative will also prioritize support for women, youth, and marginalized communities.