Youth agri-processors call for digital loan access
DODOMA: SMALL-SCALE agri-processors under AGRA’s Youth Employment for Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) Programme have called on district councils to digitalise empowerment fund applications for easier tracking and follow-up.
Every fiscal year, Local Government Authorities (LGAs) are required to allocate 10 per cent of their revenues as revolving loans to women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
However, many young entrepreneurs face logistical challenges in accessing these funds. A vegetable processor from Morogoro, Mr Baraka Nassoro participating in the ongoing Nane Nane farmers’ exhibition at Nzuguni grounds in Dodoma, told the Daily News that many youth reside far from LGA offices and spend significant amounts on transport to follow up on their applications.
“If the process is digitalised, it would help youth because most of them are tech-savvy. It would only cost someone a data bundle to check the status of their application,” he suggested.
Supporting the idea, Dodoma-based processor, Ms Aslatu Nguku urged LGAs to work with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and other regulatory bodies to establish one-stop centres to fast-track the issuance of youth empowerment funds.
Ms Nguku explained that a streamlined system would help reduce bottlenecks in securing permits and speed up the process of formalising youth-owned agribusinesses.
“Most young people investing in agro-processing are operating from their homes and lack formal addresses. If these institutions collaborated, youth would easily access loans, permits, and product certifications, which would improve their access to markets,” she noted.
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A field officer from the Community Development Initiative Support (CDIS), Mr Lamato Kivuyo one of the YEFFA implementing partners, emphasised the need for both awareness-raising and a responsive system.
“LGAs should establish mechanisms to follow up on proposals submitted by youth and provide timely feedback. That way, applicants can understand what’s missing and how to qualify for the loans,” Mr Kivuyo said.
“If young people see that the government is following up on their ideas, they will feel valued and be more encouraged to pursue their dreams in agriculture,” he added.
The Youth Employment for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) Programme, led by AGRA in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to build a new generation of agricultural leaders by promoting youth-led entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable practices.
Implemented in key agricultural regions considered the nation’s breadbasket, YEFFA is designed to boost economic growth through agriculture.
In Tanzania, the program is delivered by a consortium led by the SAGCOT Centre, in partnership with ADP Mbozi and NAFAKA Kilimo.
