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From a traditional farmer to a community leader and successful entrepreneur

By Jesca Eliphasi and Edward Charles October 17, 2024

Elipendo lives in the village of Iguguno, located in the Iguguno ward, where she is a wife and mother of five children—three daughters and two sons. For years, Elipendo and her family have relied on traditional farming practices, cultivating sorghum, maize, and sunflower on their 5-hectare farm. Like many women in her community, she believed that farming was a man’s responsibility.

Before attending the training, I believed that farm work was strictly for men

Says Elipendo

DIAGEO Small Holder Farmers Community Engagement project participant, Tanzania

This belief changed after Elipendo attended a training session offered by CARE Tanzania. The training introduced her to modern sorghum farming techniques, which opened her eyes to the potential for growth in agriculture. Inspired by the new knowledge, Elipendo and other local farmers formed a farmers’ association in Iguguno, where she now serves as secretary. The association provided a platform for farmers to collaborate, share knowledge, and improve their agricultural practices together.

Elipendo eagerly shared what she had learned with her husband, and together they decided to expand their sorghum cultivation. They rented an additional 2 hectares of land, prepared the soil using modern methods, and invested in quality seeds and fertilizers. This expansion was motivated by their connection to a reliable market through Serengeti Breweries, where they would be able to sell their sorghum at a good price. For the first time, Elipendo felt confident that their hard work would pay off.

Together, they began implementing modern farming techniques, and as a result, they expect to see increased crop yields and family income. Her husband’s support and willingness to embrace these changes marked a significant step towards greater gender equality within their household

Building on the success of their farm, Elipendo ventured into entrepreneurship, focusing on two new projects: running a “mama lishe” (local food business) and poultry farming. Initially, her lack of knowledge and resources posed challenges, but she did not give up. After participating in an entrepreneurship training program, Elipendo gained the skills needed to grow her poultry business from 20 to 50 healthy chickens. With better care and proper feeding techniques, her chickens thrived, becoming more valuable in the market. She successfully sold 25 chickens at prices ranging from TZS 18,000 to TZS 20,000 each.

 

“After completing the training, I felt compelled to share what I had learned with my husband. Initially, he was hesitant and struggled to grasp some of the gender equality concepts I introduced. But over time, he began to see the value of collaboration in both farming and our family matters,” Elipendo shared.

 

Reflecting on her journey, Elipendo now advocates for others in her community to embrace change as she did. “I encourage organizations like CARE Tanzania to continue educating communities on gender equality and modern farming practices. By fostering understanding and collaboration between men and women, we can achieve sustainable development that benefits everyone.”

From a traditional farmer to a community leader and successful entrepreneur, Elipendo’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and cooperation. Through her perseverance, she not only improved her family’s livelihood but also set a powerful example of how women can thrive in agriculture and entrepreneurship.