Harvesting success through sunflower oil

MANYARA: IN the dry plains of Kiteto District in Manyara Region, where sunflower farming is an important source of income for thousands of families, one woman entrepreneur is proving that determination, innovation and the right support can transform a business and create opportunities for others.

Martha Matia, co-owner of Eben Sunflower Oil Mills Limited, is among a growing number of Tanzanian women breaking barriers in agribusiness. Through her business, she is not only producing cooking oil but also creating jobs for women and strengthening links between farmers and the market.

For many years, women have played a vital role in agriculture, planting, harvesting and processing crops. Yet many continue to face obstacles when it comes to growing businesses, accessing modern technology and expanding into larger markets.

Martha’s journey reflects how investing in women entrepreneurs can produce benefits that extend far beyond individual businesses. Turning challenges into opportunities Like many small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Tanzania’s agricultural sector, Eben Sunflower Oil Mills faced limitations that slowed its growth.

One of the biggest challenges was processing capacity. Without modern refining equipment, producing high-quality sunflower oil efficiently and meeting growing market demand remained difficult. The business received a major boost after joining MEDA’s Feminist Entrepreneurs Growing Green Economies (FEGGE) project, an initiative that supports womenowned businesses in Tanzania’s dryland regions.

Through the project, the company acquired a sunflower oil refinery machine, allowing it to improve production and expand its operations. (Meda) Reflecting on the transformation, Martha said the investment has changed the direction of the business.

“Since partnering with MEDA through the FEGGE project our business has grown and expanded. We managed to get a refinery machine for our production of sunflower oil and we have increased the number of employees here at the factory. Most of them are women.”

The improved production capacity has enabled the company to respond more effectively to customer demand while improving efficiency in its processing operations. (Meda) Empowering women through employment For Martha, business success is measured by more than increased production.

The expansion has created employment opportunities, particularly for women, providing them with stable incomes and valuable experience in agroprocessing.

Across Tanzania, women remain heavily involved in agriculture but are often concentrated in lower-income activities with limited opportunities for growth. Expanding womenled enterprises helps address this gap by creating decent jobs and strengthening local economies.

Employing more women also allows them to gain skills in food processing and business operations while contributing to their households’ incomes. For many families, such opportunities mean improved livelihoods, better access to education for children and greater financial independence.

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Building stronger partnerships with farmers A successful agro-processing business depends on a reliable supply of quality raw materials. Recognising this, the business has strengthened its relationship with small-scale sunflower producers.

Today, Eben Sunflower Oil Mills works with about 1,000 small entrepreneurs supplying sunflower seeds, ensuring a more reliable flow of raw materials throughout the year. The arrangement benefits both the company and local producers by creating a dependable market for sunflower growers while helping maintain consistent production. (Meda) According to Martha, these partnerships have become one of the company’s greatest strengths.

Working closely with farmers enables the business to secure sunflower seeds in time for processing while supporting local agricultural production.

The approach demonstrates how successful agribusinesses can create value throughout the supply chain, linking producers, processors and consumers. Women leading change Across Tanzania, more women are taking leadership roles in agriculture, food processing and manufacturing.

Development experts say supporting women-owned enterprises contributes not only to household incomes but also to national economic growth by creating jobs, reducing postharvest losses and adding value to agricultural products.

MEDA’s FEGGE project, which runs from 2021 to 2028 with funding from Global Affairs Canada, aims to improve the economic prosperity of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises by promoting climatesmart business practices and women’s economic empowerment in Tanzania’s dryland regions.

Martha’s experience illustrates how access to technology, business support and market linkages can help women entrepreneurs unlock new opportunities. Inspiring the next generation Although every entrepreneur’s journey is different, Martha’s story offers an important lesson for women who dream of starting or expanding their own businesses.

Success often begins with recognising opportunities, embracing innovation and building strong partnerships. For women in agribusiness, investing in better technology can improve product quality, increase production and open doors to new markets. At the same time, supporting other women through employment and collaboration creates a ripple effect that benefits families and communities.

As Tanzania continues to promote women’s economic empowerment, stories like Martha’s show that when women entrepreneurs are equipped with the right tools and opportunities, they do more than grow businesses. They create jobs, strengthen agricultural value chains and inspire other women to believe that success can begin with something as simple as a sunflower seed.