New campaign gives farmers financial edge
RUVUMA: IN a move to uplift Tanzania’s agricultural communities, the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) has launched its “Wekeza NBC Shambani Ushinde” campaign, targeting cashew, pigeon pea, and sesame farmers in Tunduru District, Ruvuma Region. The campaign, which translates to “Invest with NBC on the Farm and Win,” is part of NBC’s wider commitment to rural financial inclusion and agricultural development.
The launch event, held over the weekend, was officiated by Tunduru District Commissioner Mr Denis Masanja. It brought together a cross-section of agricultural stakeholders, including leaders from primary cooperative societies (AMCOS) and apex cooperative unions. NBC’s Head of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Agriculture Banking, Mr. Raymond Urassa, led the bank’s delegation to introduce the initiative to the local farming community.
DC Masanja commended NBC’s ongoing efforts to empower farmers, noting that access to tailored financial services was a game-changer for the district’s economy. “This campaign offers more than just banking it brings financial literacy, insurance coverage, access to credit, and exposure to modern farming tools,” he said.
He noted that the campaign’s strong focus on financial discipline, praising it for educating farmers and cooperatives alike on the importance of saving, crop insurance, and reinvesting in their businesses. “This is a significant step toward transitioning from informal to formal financial systems, which is essential for inclusive growth,” he said.
Recognizing the financial potential of Tunduru, DC Masanja also called on NBC to establish a permanent branch in the district. He cited the economic volume generated during annual marketing seasons for cashew nuts, sesame, and pigeon peas, which currently creates high demand for local financial services. “This is a plea from the community—NBC should consider opening a branch here to support both farmers and artisanal miners,” he added.
Mr Urassa explained that the campaign will run for three months, ending in December. To participate, farmers must open an NBC Shambani account and ensure their crop payments are processed through it. Eligible participants can win practical prizes such as pesticide sprayers, bicycles, motorcycles, and ‘maguta’ (three-wheeled motorcycles) designed to support their farming and transport needs.
“The campaign’s goal is to promote smart money management through formal banking,” said Mr. Urassa. He encouraged farmers to use existing services like NBC Wakala agents and the NBC Kiganjani mobile banking app, even as the bank considers opening a local branch.
Farmers welcomed the initiative. Mr. Fadhili Salada and Ms. Grace Evarist, AMCOS leaders in Tunduru, praised the NBC Shambani account for solving longstanding issues. “Many accounts were closed during off-seasons due to inactivity,” said Mr. Salada. “But this account stays active for two years with no maintenance fees, and farmers earn interest.”
Ms. Evarist echoed his sentiments, stating, “This gives us peace of mind and confidence to bank our harvests with NBC.”
With campaigns like this, NBC isn’t just investing in banking—it’s investing in people, prosperity, and long-term community development.
