Regrow project turns women economically productive

MOROGORO: SEVERAL women in two districts of Mikumi and Mvomero in Morogoro Region now have every reason to smile, after the Southern Tourism Growth Project (REGROW) turned them into being economically productive.

The World Bank financed project, which is implemented by the government, seeks to strengthen the management of protected areas and promote nature-based tourism in Southern Tanzania.

The project, by giving them soft loans through their Community Conservation Banking (COCOBA) groups, have enabled the women to start up income generating activities, mainly in livestock, poultry, agriculture and businesses.

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When the `Daily News’ made a field visit to the two districts recently, the benefited women revealed different success stories while showering praises on President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for initiation of REGROW project during her three years of presidency.

While some have secured seed capital to start businesses such as food vending services, others ventured into poultry and agriculture. Acting Mikumi Village Executive Officer, Method Msimbe said the project has managed to benefit many women in his village.

“Many women have taken advantage of the project when introduced here at the village, as the result they have economically been empowered after engaging in livestock keeping,” Mr Msimbe stated.

“At the family level many of them have turned into being breadwinners, they pay for school expenses for their children. Therefore, we commend President Samia for her efforts in ensuring the project is implemented,” he said.

He noted that at the Mikumi Village the project benefited 15 registered COCOBA groups. The groups now run poultry projects and others.

“The REGROW has raised some women from zero to heroines, President Samia has really helped women here,” he stressed.

Speaking over the impact to the village, he said, the benefited women now contribute to village development by paying various levies for their businesses.

One of women at Mikumi Village, Ms Mgeni Mfalingundi, explained that the project injected funds into their Pamoja Cocoba group and enabled them accessing loans.

The 28-member group also used the funds to start poultry project at which they grow hybrid chicken for meat.The group has begun with 172 chickens and look forward to increase the number to 300.

“Through our group one can access loan amounting up to three million shillings,” she said.

In Mvomero District, members of one of COCOBA groups called Mkata wildlife protection group also shared their success story.

Community Facilitator at Mkata Village in Mvomero District, Ms Deborah Nassoro, said there are 10 COCOBA groups that have been given over 140m/- for seed capital and another 259m/- for running economic projects such as poultry and farming.

The groups have allocated over 180 hectares for agriculture and livestock.

“The economic activities have made residents, especially women to abandon cutting trees for making charcoal in the reserved forest,” Ms Nassoro stated.

Ms Hadija Said, a member, said REGROW has helped them, noting that she personally secured a loan of 1m/- last year to boost her business capital.

“My capital has now grown up to 6m/-, which makes me earn a monthly profit of 500,000/-,” she said