Funder: USAID
Project leads: IFDC, CIMMYT
Partners: Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Milele Foundation, Practical Permaculture Institute of Zanzibar (PPIZ)
Duration: 1 January 2023 – 30 September 2024
Project location: Tanzania

Project manager: Jeremiah Sigalla

Background

In Zanzibar, youth unemployment is high (33%), hunger and malnutrition persist due to a lack of diversified diet and nutritious food intake, and agricultural postharvest losses are common. While vegetables are high-value products with great potential to create jobs and improve nutrition and livelihood, productivity and production levels are still very low (average 5-7 tons/ha vs. 25-45 tons/ha potential). This is due to supply-side constraints, including poor soil fertility, limited use of improved production techniques, high seasonality, weak linkages to input and product markets, and very limited entrepreneurial skills.

Objectives

The project will apply the hub-based innovation model to raise the production and productivity of vegetables; enhancing their role in nutrition, income generation, and job creation, particularly among the youth and women in Zanzibar. The hubs will:

– iteratively identify and deploy best-bet innovations in soil health management practices, seed systems strengthening, and vegetable value chain improvement

– be a market-driven platform on which expert knowledge, technologies, innovations, and services are concentrated

– be a platform of active interaction among producers, extension workers, input suppliers, financial services, off-takers, consumers, and processors.

Expected results

• 20 Vegetable Business Networks established
• 2,000 farmers trained in soil health and fertility management
• At least 2,000 farmers applied improved production practices and gained access to inputs and financial services.
• Promote increased consumption of vegetables to 10,000 mothers and women of bearing age
• Improved school feeding program in 40 schools by incorporating nutrient-dense vegetables in the school meal.
• The emergence of profitable vegetable business opportunities that provide income and employment, particularly to the youth and women.