PARTNERSHIP, innovation and unwavering commitment have been cited as key factors in achieving major milestones that highlight the resilience and transformation of local farmers’ lives in the country.

Mark Tsoxo, Heifer International Country Director made the remarks at the just ended Farmers Exhibition (Nanenane) in Dodoma, which also marked Heifer International’s 50th anniversary of transforming local farmers’ lives in the country.

Tsoxo emphasized Heifer International Tanzania’s impact through collaboration with the government and other stakeholders over the past five decades.

“Our journey in Tanzania has been marked by partnership, innovation and a steadfast commitment to ending hunger and poverty. Over the past 50 years, our work with the government and project partners has led to significant milestones that showcase the resilience of Tanzanian farmers and the collaborative spirit of our stakeholders,” he said.

He said that Nanenane exhibition provided a suitable platform for Heifer International to showcase its contributions to Tanzania’s agricultural sector since 1974. This milestone underscores Heifer’s 50 years of working with Tanzanian farmers and rural communities to enhance their income and livelihoods.

For half a century, Heifer International has partnered with the government, particularly through the Ministry of Livestock, to combat hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth using the Pass-On-the-Gift approach.

Tsoxo highlighted that Heifer has integrated dairy programmes with various agricultural activities, distributing over 282,050 dairy cows, 57,200 dairy goats, and other livestock to rural communities across several regions including Mbeya, Iringa, Njombe, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Manyara, Singida, Mwanza, Geita, Kagera, Mara and Shinyanga.

Heifer has also facilitated the creation of 52,522 groups in local communities, such as the Buswema group in Rungwe and the Tumaini Jipya group in Mufindi. Additionally, the organisation has supported the formation of 116 primary dairy cooperatives, including MUKOTU Dairy Cooperative and Mufindi Dairy Cooperative, and has initiated six programs focused on youth.

“These efforts have strengthened the agricultural value chain and supported over 1.1 million families, 40 percent of whom are led by women. Heifer’s impact extends to Tanzania’s dairy cattle population, with 282,050 dairy cows distributed through the Kopa Ngómbe Lipa Ngombe (HIT) programmes,” Tsoxo added.

In recent years, Heifer has adopted a Market System Development approach, increasing milk flow to the formal market from 55,000 to 129,000 litres per day, attracting $3.6 million in private sector investment.

The organisation has also established 22 Milk Collection Centres with a total capacity of 72,000 litres per day, representing 20 percent of the country’s collection capacity. Additionally, Heifer launched the Tanzania leg of the AYuTe Africa Challenge, which empowers young agritech entrepreneurs across the continent by offering financial awards, expert advisory support, and a focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Tsoxo noted that the challenge targets innovative startups with strong scaling potential, providing a platform for young visionaries to create tech-driven solutions for smallholder farmers, drive economic growth, foster innovation, and empower a new generation of agritech leaders.

“As Heifer International Tanzania looks toward the future, we remain committed to harnessing technology, including mobile-based services and digital platforms, to improve farming efficiency and market access,” Tsoxo said.

He also mentioned that through Heifer’s programs, around 106,000 sunflower farmers have been digitally profiled and are now visible to key actors in the ecosystem. Ongoing collaboration with financial institutions aims to provide affordable capital for farmers, facilitating investments in quality inputs and infrastructure.

Moreover, sustainable agricultural practices are a central focus, with the organization offering training in climate-smart agriculture and agroecology to support the productivity and resilience of Tanzanian smallholder farmers.

Since its founding in 1944, Heifer International has collaborated with over 46 million people worldwide to end hunger and poverty sustainably while caring for the Earth. Operating in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, Heifer supports farmers and food producers in strengthening local economies and building secure livelihoods that provide a living income.