AgriCluster reaches 600 farmers in Dodoma, Singida

DODOMA: THE 2025 Annual Progress Report of the AgriCluster Programme implemented by CultivAid Tanzania shows that the initiative reached more than 600 farmers, distributed over 170,000 improved hybrid seedlings and handed over three fully community-owned sites in Dodoma and Singida Regions.

According to the report, the programme, implemented in partnership with Innovation Africa and Water4Mercy, operated across 11 functional demonstration sites in 2025, providing hands-on training and improved farming technologies.

The report explains that farmers recorded significant improvements in productivity and earnings, with income increasing by up to five times compared to baseline levels.

The gains were attributed to the adoption of drip irrigation systems, the use of certified hybrid seedlings and improved agronomic practices.

The programme also produced about 450 tonnes of fresh vegetables, enough to meet the annual nutritional needs of approximately 4,500 people.

In addition, participating farmers generated around 42,000 US dollars (about 109m/-) in new income, which has been used to pay school fees, purchase livestock and land and improve household welfare.

According to the report, the results highlight the strength of an integrated approach in which reliable water infrastructure, field-based training and access to high-quality inputs work together to boost smallholder farmers’ productivity and income.

ALSO READ: Cocoa crash leaves West African farmers struggling

A farmer satisfaction survey conducted under the programme recorded 100 per cent approval of seedling quality and full willingness among farmers to reorder, with all trained participants describing the training as “very helpful.”

Looking ahead, the programme will enter its next phase in 2026, shifting from demonstration activities to market engagement.

The report outlines plans to expand the Agri-Agent network to 20 agents, targeting the distribution of 600,000 seedlings to 300 farmers while launching crop aggregation trials to link smallholders directly with commercial buyers.

The programme will also expand to 14 active sites across Dodoma and Singida regions and is expected to generate an estimated 150,000 US dollars in additional farmer income while supporting vegetable production sufficient to feed about 13,000 people annually.

One of the beneficiaries, Alex Alex, a farmer from Mapinduzi Village in Dodoma, shared his transformation story.

For years, he cultivated half a hectare relying on rainfall and seedlings from his own nursery, achieving yields similar to those of neighbouring farmers.

His situation changed in 2022 after attending a farmer field school in Mapinduzi Village. With support from the AgriCluster programme, he installed a drip irrigation system, adopted high-quality hybrid seedlings and learned proper trellising and pruning techniques.

According to the report, his harvest tripled to 4,500 kilogrammes per season, while his income rose from 500,000/- to more than 6m/-.

The increased income has enabled him to send his children to school, expand his farm and purchase a motorcycle. His farm has since become a model for fellow farmers in the area.