Project Setup
Imagine being 22, standing in a dusty village in Kilimanjaro, Arusha,Manyara, Singida, Dodoma, Rukwa, Katavi, and Kagera, staring at a future that feels like a locked door. Jobs are scarce, cities seem like the only escape, and agriculture? It’s seen as a last resort, not a dream. This was the reality for thousands of young Tanzanians—until YEFFA stepped in with a bold promise: Agriculture can be your gateway to dignity,income, leadership, and the careers you want.
The challenge was enormous. Over one million youth enter Tanzania’s labor market every year, but only 40,000 jobs exist. Skepticism ran deep: “Agriculture won’t pay,” they said. Cultural barriers kept women out of leadership. Remote villages lacked roads, phones, and trust. Even as YEFFA mobilized thousands, the numbers told a sobering truth—job creation was crawling at 0.20% of target, and digital adoption lagged. Could this initiative really turn the tide?
Results
Fast forward to Q3 2025: 245,978 youth mobilized, 11,274 youth empowered, 155 jobs created, 124 youth groups formed, and 555 Village-Based Advisors trained—local champions who now mentor peers and link them to Agricultural value chain opportunities. Mindset forums sparked a cultural shift: 95% of participants now see agriculture as a viable career. Women are stepping into leadership roles in horticulture platforms and cooperatives. Digital tools like M-Kilimo and PlantVillage Nuru are reaching rural hands. The seeds of transformation are sprouting—but the harvest depends on what happens next.
What We Do
Dynamic Youth Mobilization & Profiling
• Partner with grassroots groups, cooperatives, and 1,194 Village Business Associations (VBAs)
• Engage, register, and support 525,853 young Tanzanians, capturing data and profiling their agribusiness interests.
Empowerment Training & Mindset Shift
• Deliver 48 interactive training sessions spanning on Business skills & entrepreneurship, Crop-specific value chains (sunflower, horticulture, paddy rice, maize) and Mindset development, sustainability, and resilience.
Business Ecosystem & Market Support
• Connect youth to thriving value chains in selected regions
• Facilitate market linkages and access to financing
• Strengthen capacity of 198 cooperatives and 130 youth-led grassroots organizations.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about Tanzania. It’s about a universal truth: when youth are given tools, trust, and opportunity, they don’t just grow crops—they grow futures and create opportunities for others. YEFFA has proven the model works, but scaling it requires more partners, more resources, and more voices championing the cause.
