Kitomari Banking & Finance Blog: SBL LAUNCHES “SHAMBA NI MALI” INITIATIVE TO EMPOWER OVER 4,000 TANZANIAN FARMERS

Friday, 1 August 2025

SBL LAUNCHES “SHAMBA NI MALI” INITIATIVE TO EMPOWER OVER 4,000 TANZANIAN FARMERS

The Director of Agricultural Marketing and Food Security, Gungu Mibavu (left), representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Managing Director of Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL), Obinna Anyalebechi, officiate the official launch of the ‘Shamba ni Mali’ initiative aimed at benefiting 4,000 smallholder farmers across the country, particularly those cultivating sorghum, barley, and maize. The launch event, which brought together various stakeholders from the government and private sector, was held on July 31, 2025, in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam, 31 July 2025 – In a bold step to tackle longstanding agricultural challenges in Tanzania, Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) has officially launched a new agribusiness initiative dubbed “Shamba ni Mali”—Swahili for The Farm is Wealth.

The program aims to uplift the livelihoods of over 4,000 smallholder farmers across the country by providing them with tools, training, and market access for maize, sorghum, and barley, which are key ingredients in SBL’s beer production.

Addressing Real Challenges in Tanzanian Agriculture

The initiative comes in response to a range of issues that continue to limit farm productivity:

Use of counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides
Outdated farming techniques
Unpredictable weather patterns
Limited access to modern knowledge and tools

“SBL is committed to creating long-term impact through sustainable sourcing. We are not only securing raw materials for our supply chain but also transforming lives,” said Obinna Anyalebechi, Managing Director of SBL. “Through ‘Shamba ni Mali’, we’re offering a guaranteed market, improved seed varieties, and practical training in environmentally-friendly farming.”

Promoting Sustainability and Inclusion

Beyond just boosting yields, the initiative focuses on climate-smart agriculture, inclusivity, and farmer resilience.

Women, youth, and marginalized groups will be empowered through formal contracts and access to agribusiness support services.
Regular field visits and knowledge-sharing forums will help deepen collaboration between farmers and experts.

Aligned with National Vision 2050

Speaking at the launch, Gungu Mibavu, Director of Agricultural Marketing and Food Security (representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture), praised the program’s alignment with the Tanzania Agriculture Master Plan 2050.

“This is exactly the kind of initiative needed to accelerate the transformation of Tanzania’s agricultural sector into a resilient, inclusive, and high-value driver of economic growth,” he said.

The launch event attracted representatives from the government, private sector, development partners, and agribusiness stakeholders.

About SBL

Founded in 1988 and now the second-largest beer manufacturer in Tanzania, Serengeti Breweries Limited commands over 25% of the national market share. It operates three breweries in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Moshi, and is home to some of the most recognized brands, including: