NMB FOUNDATION EMPOWERS COCOA FARMERS IN KYELA, GOVERNMENT COMMENDS INITIATIVE

Kyela - The government has commended NMB Foundation for conducting training sessions for cocoa farmers affiliated with the Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) in Kyela District, Mbeya Region. The initiative is seen as supporting President Samia Suluhu Hassan's efforts.

The four-day training aimed at enhancing the value of cocoa, marketing, and business planning. It involved 74 participants from 37 AMCOS, and the closing ceremony was officiated by the Kyela District Commissioner, Ms. Josephine Manase, who presented certificates to the participants.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, DC Manase praised efforts of the NMB Foundation and Rabo Foundation for partnering with the Kyela Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Union (KYECU) to successfully execute the training for stakeholders involved in the cocoa value chain, thus supporting government efforts.

"Standing here to close this training, I must begin by congratulating the NMB Foundation and their partners, Rabo Foundation, for these insightful sessions which reflect your genuine commitment to increasing the value of cocoa in Kyela District and boosting the economy of the farmers and all stakeholders involved.

"In numerous speeches, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has praised the quality of Kyela cocoa, and what the NMB Foundation has done is in line with supporting the efforts of both the Central and Kyela District Government to enhance the value of this economically significant crop.

"My appeal to the NMB Foundation and the participants is to ensure that this training transcends beyond the classroom. Apply what you have learned to benefit the hundreds and thousands of AMCOS members you represent, ensuring the success of themes discussed here, including cocoa processing and accelerating economic growth," stated Manase.

She emphasized that if utilized effectively, the training is a crucial tool for transforming the livelihoods and economic growth of the district's farmers, especially considering the diverse subjects taught by trainers from NMB Foundation and Rabo Foundation.

"Through this training, you have learned how to enhance cocoa to secure reliable markets, increase income through selling improved cocoa, open employment opportunities for youth and women in the value chain, and gain knowledge to combat climate change.

"Moreover, through this forum, farmers have gained financial education and learned how to access affordable loans to boost their agriculture, correct usage of these loans in purchasing essential inputs for their crops, and increase production. NMB Foundation’s initiatives should be emulated and sustained," she added.

For his part, NMB Foundation’s Highlands Zone Coordinator, Rodgers Shipella mentioned that his organization, in collaboration with Rabo Foundation, has developed and implemented a project to add value (semi-processing) to the cocoa crop by building the capacity of farmers through cooperation in various areas.

Shipella listed these areas as: “Cooperative Education, Good Leadership Within Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship, Financial Education and Management of Loans, Value Addition, Market Assurance to Increase Production, and Cocoa Processing in Kyela District.

"NMB Foundation officially began implementing this project in October 2023, and since then, we have reached 1,281 farmers, including 314 women and 967 men. The primary goal of this project is not only to add value to the cocoa crop but also to establish fair pricing.

"The project also aims to create cocoa processing jobs for youth and women, providing those groups with avenues to increase their daily incomes. In essence, this project will benefit not only farmers and their cooperatives but also other stakeholders such as cooperatives, the government, and buyers," said Shipella.

He clarified that while farmers will receive better and balanced prices and secure markets, local and central governments will benefit by increasing revenues, promoting and sustaining crop production, and through Value Added Tax (VAT), PAYE, and jobs for youth and women.

The Acting Manager of the Kyela District Cooperative Union (KYECU Ltd), Nabii Emmanuel Mwakyenda, expressed gratitude to the NMB Foundation for refining the knowledge of members from 37 AMCOS in his district, believing the training and education received will be a catalyst for the prosperity and sustainability of cocoa in the area.

Reading a speech on behalf of the participants, Evance Mwaipopo from Mwabusye AMCOS lauded the NMB Foundation for conducting training that benefited them through various topics, including Cocoa Value Addition, Cocoa Farming Without Tree Cutting, and Entrepreneurship and Business Planning.

Participants requested the NMB Foundation to continue valuing and appreciating cocoa farmers in Kyela while calling on the government to address the dilapidated roads entering and exiting Kyela, to facilitate the transport of various products, including cocoa.