Iringa Avocado and Horticulture Agribusiness Project

This is a community engagement green agribusiness program which is in implementation at Rungemba ward in three villages i.e. Kitelewasi, Itimo and Rungemba in Iringa. The program is done in collaboration with Rungemba Community Development Institute at Mafinga. The project has community demonstration farms that are used to train youth and women in agribusiness in avocado and horticulture farming i.e. vegetables.

The program started in 2018 with the vision to increase a day household income from TZS 1,333 (2018) to TZS 3,000 (2026).

Currently, the community tree nurseris contain several avocado none and grafted seedlings have been setup. Moreover, trees nurseries for timber and firewood are added as another focus to reduce desertification. The farms use improved seeds which are further grafted to increase productivity. Further, the intention is to put beehives to harvest money as well as beeswax.

By 2024 the impact of the program is that 204 farmers are recruited to the program with 156 (76.5%) male and 48 (23.5%) female. A total of 204 acres is planted 16,528 avocado trees. One tree produces 120 kilograms with a total of 1,983,360 kilograms. In terms of income one kilogram is TZS 1,800; and in total for all farmers TZS 3,570,048,000 (Billion 3.5) entered into farmers pockets.