In the southern highlands of Tanzania lies the maize-rich district of Sumbawanga, a region long known for its agricultural potential but also historically held back by market inefficiencies, post-harvest losses, and low farmer incomes. At FarmFinest, we saw not just a challenge — but an opportunity.
Our maize aggregation and market linkage project in Sumbawanga is a cornerstone of our mission to build a resilient, fair, and profitable grain economy. By working hand-in-hand with farmer groups, cooperatives, and extension officers, we’ve designed a system where value flows directly from the field to the market — without leakage or exploitation.
What We’ve Done:
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Mobilized over 5,000 metric tons of maize from smallholder farmers over multiple harvests.
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Built aggregation centers equipped for proper drying, sorting, and storage to preserve grain quality.
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Introduced input loan schemes via financial partners, helping farmers access seeds and fertilizers on credit.
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Digitized farmer engagement through our farmer registry app, allowing real-time price alerts and mobile payments.
Who We Sell To:
Our maize is not just stored — it moves. We’ve created strong market linkages with:
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National millers
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School feeding programs
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Institutional buyers
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Regional wholesalers in neighboring countries
The Impact So Far:
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30–45% increase in farmer income through better pricing and bulk trading.
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Up to 50% reduction in post-harvest losses due to improved handling and storage.
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Boosted confidence and bargaining power for over 2,000 farmers who now trade collectively.
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Developed a model of trust between farmers and buyers, strengthening supply chain integrity.
For us, maize isn’t just food — it’s a gateway to rural transformation. This project is helping farmers see agriculture not as survival, but as enterprise.
