Jessica Lyatuu (on the right) with two young people participating in an agricultural activity in a field in Babati, Manyara Region

For many young Tanzanian women, agriculture is becoming more than a livelihood—it is creating pathways to entrepreneurship, employment and economic independence.

In Manyara, horticulture farmer Jessica Lyatuu transformed a small quarter-acre plot into a two-acre tomato enterprise producing up to 700 crates per acre. Support from the Vijana Kilimo Biashara (VKB) programme helped her improve farming practices, access markets and adopt a stronger business mindset. Her growing farm now employs a permanent worker and up to six young people during peak seasons.

In Arusha, 26-year-old Wema Paulo identified another opportunity beyond farming. After receiving entrepreneurship training through VKB, she established an onion storage facility capable of holding 2,000kg, allowing farmers to reduce post-harvest losses and wait for better market prices.

The stories highlight the wider potential of Tanzania’s agricultural value chains, where opportunities extend into storage, processing, transport, marketing and mechanisation. By July 2026, VKB had supported more than 65,600 young people, with nearly half being young women.

With access to skills, finance, technology and reliable markets, Tanzania’s young people are increasingly showing that agriculture can be a powerful engine for job creation, entrepreneurship and economic transformation.