Enhancing Future Prospects Through Tomato Production
Isaya Karume and Hawa Karume are a couple based in Rusungo, Mbeya region, Tanzania. Together, they manage a productive horticultural garden, utilizing the training in good agronomic practices, financial literacy, gender equality by using Gender Household Approach and entrepreneurial skills they have received from HRNS Tanzania under the SAfA project.
The couple cultivated approximately a quarter of an acre to grow tomatoes. Quality tomatoes are as popular in Tanzania as they are in other parts of the world, commanding a good price and being ideal for succession sowing, which ensures repeat harvests throughout the season.
The couple is excited as the price of tomatoes is expected to rise sharply over the next few months, motivating them as they enter the next season and demonstrating that a bit of determination and knowledge can significantly help in addressing major challenges.
“We began cultivating tomatoes due to the notably higher market prices during the dry season,” says Isaya. Adding: “With the training we received from HRNS Tanzania we managed to maintain well our garden and we hope to harvest around 7crates of tomatoes per week, which we can sell for approximately TZS TZS70,000 per crate, which equals to TZS490,000 per week.”
He also noted: “Some of the money will be used to buy seeds for the next season, while the rest can be allocated to meet our basic needs, including providing for our two children. We also plan to save so that in three years, we can build a house of our own and start poultry farming.”
“We usually plan together, which includes establishing a budget for our tomato garden and assisting each other with daily tasks, including farming activities,” Hawa noted, Isaya’s wife.
Similarly, Charles Machonga, a producer organization trainer from HRNS Tanzania, noted that the training provided to the couples enabled this young couple to collaboratively prepare a vision and budget for their family. He also advised that the knowledge gained from HRNS Tanzania should be shared with fellow youths in the village. This is part of the implementation of the SAfA Tanzania project, which is conducted under a consortium of three implementing partners: Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW) Tanzania,Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung – HRNS Tanzania and Kühne Foundation Tanzania, and is being funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and SAfA gGmbH
