Part of the Eastern Arc Mountain range, the Uluguru Mountains above Morogoro are known for rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes.
Tanzania’s most recognizable feature, apart from its renowned wildlife and national parks, must be the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano that reaches higher than any other mountain in Africa. Every year this mammoth lures tens of thousands of well-heeled tourists to scale its formidable façade as a ‘bucket-list’ venture.
Yet, despite its rich landscapes, natural resources, and prime location along the Indian Ocean, Tanzania’s growth hasn’t fully realized the hopes of many.
High unemployment strains both the economy and the social fabric. At the core of these issues are two key factors: Tanzania’s rapidly growing youth population—nearly 80% of the population is under 30—and the state of the agricultural sector, the country’s economic backbone yet paradoxically also a source of hardship.
Despite ideal land and climate for agriculture, most Tanzanian farmers engage in subsistence farming, producing just enough to survive. They may work on small plots of two or three acres, with limited access to modern technology, equipment, quality seeds, financing, or the necessary business skills. These constraints prevent them from boosting productivity, competitiveness, and profitability, so often resulting in generational poverty.
One organization that set out to overcome these difficulties is SUGECO—the Sokoine University Graduate Entrepreneur Cooperative Organization—based in Morogoro, where I have been living the last six months. SUGECO has spent over a decade empowering youth and women to see agriculture as a viable career path and to take advantage of the organization’s resources.
SUGECO supports its members by providing access to its land, technology, training, and the financial support needed to start a successful agribusiness.
Originally a research project within Sokoine University’s Department of Agriculture, SUGECO’s mission is to foster a mindset shift and equip young people to create sustainable livelihoods in agriculture in order to reduce poverty and build long-term prosperity.
Acknowledging gender inequality in agriculture—whereby men control most land while women provide much of the labour—SUGECO supports inclusivity. Many success stories from the organization highlight women who have overcome traditional barriers to build thriving enterprises.
SUGECO’s work is supported by donations, though they’ve also developed revenue streams by selling agricultural services and producing seeds.
Tanzania has always been a place I wanted to experience, and so I was thrilled when my application to volunteer for the Canadian non-profit CUSO International was accepted and I was placed as a marketing and communications consultant with SUGECO in Morogoro.
The opportunity has only affirmed my admiration for Africa, the people of Tanzania, and the potential for a better standard of living here. I will write more about my experiences in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, please consider supporting my $2,000 fundraising campaign which is part of my volunteer commitment to CUSO. Donations help sustain CUSO programs, volunteers, community initiatives, and operations. I truly believe that CUSO is making a positive difference around the world.
The following secure CUSO link will provide donors with a tax credit immediately.
Ellen’s CUSO Fundraiser Thanks so much!
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