SBL in ESG

Kilimo Viwanda

SBL launched the Kilimo-Viwanda Scholarship program in 2020 to beef up the existing pool of experts in the agricultural sector to support farmers increase their productivity. Kilimo Viwanda provides scholarships to bright students from SBL’s LRM communities pursuing diploma-level courses in agriculture.

The scholarships cover full tuition fees for the students and accord beneficiaries coaching and mentorship opportunities with SBL staff and stakeholders, including local farmers who supply raw materials (cereals) to the company.

“It is important that we support the government in building the capacity of our farmers through training of experts in agricultural fields of study,” commented SBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti during the program launch in January 2020 at the Bagamoyo-based Kaole Wazazi College of Agriculture.

The college is among four institutions in the country that SBL has partnered with in providing training opportunities to recipients of its scholarships. Other colleges include Maria Goreti Agricultural College in Iringa, Igabiro Agricultural College in Bukoba, and Kilacha Agricultural College in Moshi. Forty students have been awarded scholarships this year. The program has issued a total of 216 scholarships until mid-2022.