Sesame Smallholder Project (SSP)

GOAL

To improve the income, productivity, and food security of 7,000 smallholder sesame farmers and their families

LOCATION

Mbeya Region, Tanzania

DURATION-

2016

-

2018

FARMERS

700

VALUE CHAINS

Maize, Sesame

PARTNERS

Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

FUNDING

USD 25,400

Sesame Smallholder Project (SSP)

The Sesame Smallholder Project (SSP) was initially conceived as the 'Sustainable Sesame Practices to Grow Incomes in the Mbeya Region Tanzania.' – a four-year project established through a collaborative effort between the EFF and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) under the inclusive Green Growth of Smallholder Agricultural Sector (IGGSAS) Program to support 7,000 farmers. The project involved several key components, including the establishment of demonstration plots, provision of technical skills and know-how, and training in good agricultural practices, basic business skills, and group formation and management. Demonstration plots were set up in four villages, at community areas and schools, to provide farmers and pupils with practical field knowledge. Local and improved varieties were cultivated under different circumstances showcasing varieties best suited considering the soil and climatic conditions of their own plots. In collaboration with Green Fingers Mobile, an ICT app was developed to monitor field activities, training, and commercial exchange of farmer produce.

Despite the challenges faced when the donor unexpectedly halted the funding less than a year after project implementation, a decision unrelated to EFF, the Foundation’s management decided to continue supporting activities in the area to ensure project gains were not lost and farmers’ expectations in terms of training and extension support were met. EFF fully supported the project until April 2018. The project exemplifies the complexity of agricultural development initiatives and underscores the importance of addressing logistical and operational challenges to ensure the success of such interventions.

Agricultural Productivity: Enhance agricultural productivity through sustainable and climate-smart practices, improved access to quality seeds, fertilisers, and modern technologies, and training for small-scale farmers. b. Irrigation and Water Management: Promote water conservation techniques, efficient irrigation systems, and integrated water resource management to ensure a reliable water supply for agriculture. c. Diversification: Encourage crop diversification to enhance food availability and household nutrition by promoting the cultivation of smart food crops and high-value crops for increased income generation. d. Storage and Distribution: Strengthen post-harvest management and improve storage infrastructure to reduce household food losses; and promote efficient aggregation systems for improved inputs distribution and access to markets. e. Market Linkages & Financial Services: Support the establishment or farmer cooperatives/ organisations for effective produce aggregation and market linkages, and provide technical assistance to enable small-scale producers to access domestic and international markets and financial services, fostering income generation and economic growth. f. Skills Training and Capacity Building: Facilitate agronomic training, entrepreneurship development, and business management skills to enhance the capacity of smallholder farmers and communities to generate sustainable incomes.
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