NBC expands rural banking for farmers empowerment 

MBEYA: The National Bank of Commerce (NBC) has launched a new agricultural financial inclusion campaign titled “Wekeza NBC Shambani Ushinde” in Rungwe and Kyela districts in Mbeya Region, aimed at strengthening financial access for farmers and accelerating the growth of Tanzania’s agricultural sector.

The initiative is designed to deepen financial inclusion in rural communities by connecting farmers directly to formal banking services, insurance products, and financial education tailored specifically to agricultural needs. It focuses on improving productivity, reducing risks in farming, and increasing the contribution of agriculture to household incomes and the national economy.

The campaign targets farmers engaged in key cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, and sesame, as well as Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) and cooperative unions.

Through the programme, farmers are being introduced to structured financial services that support agribusiness development, including savings accounts, agricultural loans, crop insurance, livestock cover, forestry insurance, and health insurance products linked to farming livelihoods.

The official launch events in Rungwe and Kyela brought together district leaders, cooperative representatives, farmers, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. In Rungwe, the launch was officiated by District Commissioner Jaffar Haniu, while in Kyela it was led by District Commissioner Josephine Manase. Senior representatives from NBC also attended, including the Director of Retail Banking and Small Business, Elibariki Masuke.

Government leaders in both districts welcomed the initiative, noting that access to financial services remains a key factor in improving agricultural productivity and rural development.

In Rungwe, District Commissioner Jaffar Haniu said the campaign directly responds to the real challenges faced by farmers, particularly in managing production risks and accessing affordable financial services.

He noted that agriculture remains the backbone of rural livelihoods and requires strong financial systems to support its growth.

He highlighted that insurance services introduced under the campaign covering crops, livestock, forestry, and health are particularly important in protecting farmers from unexpected losses caused by climate shocks, diseases, or other disruptions.

ALSO READ: Mloganzila launches Kangaroo urgent care for mother and her child

Beyond financial incentives, Haniu emphasized that the most valuable aspect of the campaign is its focus on financial literacy and structured support for farmers.

He encouraged farmers to embrace formal banking by opening NBC Shambani accounts, which provide access to savings, credit, and insurance services in a more secure and organized financial system. According to him, integrating farmers into formal finance systems is essential for long-term agricultural transformation.

In Kyela, District Commissioner Josephine Manase said the campaign aligns with government efforts to modernize agriculture through improved technology, investment, and access to financial services.

She explained that financial literacy training offered under the programme will help farmers better understand savings culture, risk management through insurance, and the importance of investing in improved farming methods.

She noted that strengthening farmers’ financial knowledge is key to improving productivity and ensuring sustainable incomes, especially in regions where agriculture remains the main economic activity.

According to her, the government continues to prioritize agricultural development as a pathway to poverty reduction, and initiatives such as this campaign complement national efforts to build a more efficient and resilient farming sector.

NBC Director of Retail Banking and Small Business, Elibariki Masuke, said the bank is investing in financial solutions designed to support agriculture in line with national development goals. He noted that agriculture remains a strategic sector with high potential to drive inclusive economic growth.

He said NBC’s approach focuses on combining digital banking platforms, tailored loan products, insurance services, and financial education to address challenges facing farmers, including limited access to credit, exposure to climate risks, and low levels of financial literacy.

The bank’s objective, he added, is to create a financial ecosystem where farmers can safely save, invest, and access credit to improve productivity and scale up agricultural activities.

Campaign coordinator Urassa explained that the initiative will run for four months, from June to September, and will include a wide range of activities aimed at supporting farmers’ financial and agricultural development.

These activities include financial literacy training sessions, expansion of agency banking services in rural areas, provision of crop and health insurance products, and access to loans for agricultural inputs and modern farming equipment.

He added that the campaign also includes incentive programmes to encourage participation. Farmers, AMCOS, and cooperative unions that perform well during the campaign period will be rewarded with items such as smartphones, motorcycles, and laptop computers.

Urassa emphasized that the campaign is designed not only to promote banking services but also to encourage long-term behavioural change among farmers by strengthening their participation in formal financial systems.

Farmers are encouraged to open and actively use NBC Shambani accounts for daily transactions, savings, and access to financial services. The aim is to move farmers away from informal financial practices and integrate them into a more secure and structured banking environment.

Farmers who attended the launch events expressed optimism about the initiative, saying it provides practical solutions to long-standing challenges in agriculture, particularly access to credit, risk protection, and financial knowledge.

One farmer, Nuru Mwakatobe from Rungwe District, said the services introduced through the campaign offer new opportunities for financial security and resilience against agricultural risks such as crop failure, illness, and market fluctuations.

She noted that features such as monthly account benefits, free statements, and insurance coverage make the banking services more relevant to farmers’ everyday needs.

Overall, the campaign is positioned as a strategic effort to strengthen financial inclusion in rural Tanzania while empowering farmers with tools to improve productivity, manage risks, and increase incomes.

By linking financial services directly to agriculture, the initiative aims to build stronger, more resilient farming communities capable of contributing more effectively to national economic growth.

Pic: Bank

Caption: