News and Events

SBL reveals mega scheme to empower local farmers.

27th January 2022

• The company has announced new 102 agricultural scholarships
• Its agri-business program supports a network of over 400 farmers across the country
• Company’s expansion programs to increase sourcing of raw material from local farmers

Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) has reiterated its support in addressing a myriad of challenges facing local farmers ranging from lack of markets for their produce, inadequate knowledge on modern ways of farming, to capital availability required to undertake commercial farming.

The company, through an ambitious initiative known as ‘Kilimo viwanda’ program, is currently assisting around 400 farmers across the country to overcome these challenges by providing them with free quality seeds, links to financial institutions to access credit facilities, basic training on entrepreneurship skills, as well as buying their produce at prices above market rates.

These was disclosed today in Dar es Salaam by SBL Managing Director, Mark Ocitti, at an event to award scholarships to a group of 102 students pursuing diploma level agricultural courses in local colleges, which he said was yet another intervention by the company to strengthen the agricultural sector.

So far, the company has extended a total of 208 scholarships in three years to support needy but bright students coming from agricultural communities across the country, the MD said. “The increasing number of Kilimo Viwanda scholarships recipients, which goes hand in hand increased resourcing by SBL towards the program, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the wellbeing of the local communities and the development of Tanzania’s agricultural sector”.

Ocitti added, “we hope that this scholarship program will bring a positive change in the lives of these students by transforming them to become key actors in Tanzania’s agricultural sectors. This program covers all academic-related expenses, including school fees for the entire study period – which is primarily two to three years for diploma level agricultural courses”

In the process of providing equal access to higher educational attainment and the number of students registered each year, Ocitti mentioned, “the program also embodies SBL’s inclusion and diversity agenda that seeks to empower and give an equal opportunity to marginalized groups in society with a special focus on women and Persons with Disabilities. It is for this reason that 50% of the 102 Kilimo Viwanda scholarships recipients this year are female students and some being Persons with Disabilities”.

The Kilimo Viwanda scholarship already sponsors four colleges such as St. Maria Goretti from Iringa, Kaole Wazazi from Bagamoyo, Igabiro from Bukoba and Kilacha college from Moshi. The four college heads lauded SBL for keeping to their course of action to help underprivileged students again for third year running. They affirmed the program's effectiveness by explaining it as a "life-saver" for students that were on the verge of giving up out. Rebecca Juma, a college student from Kaole with a disability, acclaimed her selection with suspense after a long wait. 'I am astounded to have such privilege; I never thought I could get it and now that I have,' she said. As a sincere thank you to SBL for this opportunity, I intend to cherish every second of my studies with passion and dedication. SBL has given me confidence that, despite my physical condition, anything is possible.'

Another college student from Igabiro conveyed her deepest gratitude to SBL. 'This scholarship arrived just in time as my parents had been desperately trying to make one's meat,' she explained. My mother was sick, and my father was already in the hospital with a spine affliction. This scholarship is a complete answer to prayers.' She held back tears.