With a hot and wet climate that makes it ideal for agriculture, Tanzania’s Njombe region has become known as the food basket of Tanzania. One crop popular amongst farmers is avocado due to its profitability and compatibility with other crops. A favorable climate, however, does not stop farmers from experiencing hardship. has. Erasto Ngole, a farmer from Njombe, faced several challenges in his avocado farming venture. He struggled with low weight per fruit and high transportation costs for inorganic fertilizer which he had to source from distant locations. Thankfully his situation improved when he was introduced to Hakika Avomax, a biofertilizer solution specifically designed for avocados and produced and provided by Guavay Limited, an innovator supported by WE4F.
Hakika fertilizer: a means to improve produce and livelihoods
With the application of Hakika fertilizer, Erasto observed a significant increase in the unit mass of his avocado produce. He no longer faced rejections from buyers due to poor quality or low fruit weight. Erasto, who started avocado farming with 400 trees on his 4-acre land, witnessed a substantial increase in his profits. Previously, he sold his avocados at 1,800 TZS per kilogram, but after the consistent use of Hakika, he now sells them at an average cost of 2,500 TZS per kilogram. In 2022, his farm produced 30 tonnes of avocado fruit in total. Thanks to better farming practices and the use of Hakika fertilizer, Erasto projects a harvest of over 50 tonnes of fruit in 2023.
Aside from the main production benefits, he benefits from the “Predictability of Seasonal Fertilizer Application Guide”, provided by Hakika, which allows Erasto to plan his finances accordingly. He also noticed a significant reduction in transportation costs for acquiring fertilizer due to Guavay’s partnerships with local agro dealers in Njombe, which makes the fertilizer more accessible to him and other local farmers.
Inspired by his accomplishments, Erasto plans to expand his avocado plantation to his 56-acre property in Njombe. Moreover, through his company, Shikamoo Parachichi, Erasto has secured a contract as an off-taker, collecting produce from other farmers in the region. His long-term goal is to become a distributor of Hakika fertilizer and an off-taker for avocado produce from fellow farmers, thus contributing to the growth and development of the local farming community.
Guavay and WE4F pave the way for opportunities
Erasto and other farmers who have benefited from Guavay’s biofertilizer demonstrate the positive outcomes of the WE4F project. The achievements are a testament to the project’s success. By supporting the provision of an effective organic fertilizer solution such as Hakika and making it easily accessible, WE4F has contributed to increased yields, allowing farmers to enjoy higher efficiency in their crop production. The purely organic nature of this slow-release NPK fertilizer caters to the growing avocado market in Tanzania, enabling farmers to attain export-standard produce and fetch better prices due to increased yields and improved quality of their produce.
Additionally, the fertilizer stimulates microbial activity and improves soil structure, promoting the health of the soil and its long-term sustainability. As a result of offering environmentally friendly solutions, the program enables farmers to improve yields without compromising the environment, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable agriculture and ecological balance.
Through WE4F’s support, Guavay Limited has been able to reach farmers like Erasto, empowering them with innovative agricultural solutions and enabling them to thrive in their farming endeavors. Erasto’s journey exemplifies how the program has contributed to the improvement of agricultural practices, economic growth, and the overall well-being of smallholder farmers in the region.
