THREE Tanzanian agritech youth startups have collectively secured $22,500 in grants after emerging as winners in the 2025 AYuTe Africa Challenge Tanzania Cohort 2.

Heifer International Tanzania announced the winners over the weekend, showcasing innovative youth-led agritech solutions that address critical challenges in the country’s agricultural sector.

The winners' innovations range from post-harvest loss solutions and pest management to cost-effective animal feed production and drone technology for soil analysis and fumigation.

A statement issued Heifer International Tanzania stated that the  startups are poised to drive a technology-led revolution in Tanzania’s agricultural sector.

The competition, which received over 260 applications from across the country, highlights breakthrough technologies designed to support smallholder farmers who account for 80 percent of Tanzania's agricultural production.

Under the theme: “Empowering Generations: From Legacy to Innovation,” this year’s Demo Day featured solutions tackling various issues within the agricultural value chain.

The competition underscored the growing role of youth in transforming Tanzania’s agriculture through technology and innovation.

The overall winner of the 2025 challenge was MIL - Animal Nutrition, which walked away with $10,000. The startup’s innovative solution provides cost-effective animal feed, meeting the growing needs of dairy farming, especially during the dry season.

Mbeya Oil Cado, the first runner-up, received $7,500. The agritech startup uses avocado ‘rejects’ to produce cooking oil with a small-scale manufacturing machine. The company has already secured markets in Kenya, South Africa and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Meanwhile, Dry Food emerged as the second runner-up, receiving $5,000 in funding. The startup reduces post-harvest loss of tomatoes by turning them into tomato powder, a useful culinary ingredient.

In his keynote address, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, commended the collaborative effort between Heifer International Tanzania and Sahara Ventures.

He highlighted that the initiative is strategically aimed at fostering youth engagement in agriculture while transforming the sector and boosting food production capacity for smallholder farmers.

Mark Tsoxo, Heifer International country director said the AYuTe Africa Challenge acts as a catalyst for scaling high-potential agritech startups, empowering young African entrepreneurs who are harnessing innovation and technology to revolutionise smallholder farming across the continent.

“By providing access to finance and strategic support, we empower young entrepreneurs to turn ground breaking ideas into sustainable solutions. Heifer International remains committed to ending hunger, creating opportunities for youth, and advancing Africa’s agricultural progress through innovative solutions that make a lasting impact,” he said.

He said Heifer International and its strategic partners will continue to provide technical support to all finalists of the AYuTe Tanzania Cohort 2, helping them deploy and scale their agritech solutions.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge Tanzania, part of Heifer International’s AYuTe NextGen initiative, is an acceleration programme that provides grants to youth traders leveraging innovation and technology to reshape food production and agriculture in Africa.

The programme empowers agritech startups with funding, mentorship and training in leadership, project management, and financial management to scale up   businesses.

The efforts will ultimately benefit smallholder farmers, empowering them to build resilience and increase their incomes.