SBL launches agribusiness program 'Shamba ni Mali' to boost farmers’ yields

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 31st July 2025: The future of sustainable agriculture in Tanzania just got brighter! Today, Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) proudly unveiled 'Shamba ni Mali' (Your Farm is Wealth), a groundbreaking programme set to transform the lives of thousands of smallholder farmers and revitalize the nation's agricultural sector. Launched at a vibrant ceremony at the Four Points Hotel in Dar es Salaam, this initiative powerfully reinforces SBL's deep-rooted commitment to local economic empowerment and a thriving farming community.

The 'Shamba ni Mali' programme is set to directly benefit over 4,000 smallholder farmers across Tanzania, primarily those cultivating cereals such as sorghum, barley, and maize. The comprehensive programme is designed to empower farmers by providing them with a reliable market for their produce, access to high-yielding seed varieties for barley and sorghum, and crucial training on good agricultural practices, including regenerative agriculture. SBL aims to improve farmer profitability by ensuring they farm efficiently and sustainably. "At SBL, we believe that 'Shamba ni Mali' is more than just a programme; it's a testament to our dedication to creating shared prosperity. Our goal is to create business value by sourcing sustainably to deliver supply security, entrenching resilience and safeguarding business reputation, all while guaranteeing farmer profitability and significantly improving livelihoods across the country. We are providing a stable market for cereals like sorghum, barley, and maize, which are vital raw materials for our products, thereby directly contributing to the economic upliftment of thousands of farming families,” said Dr. Obinna Anyalebechi, Managing Director of SBL.

The 'Shamba ni Mali' initiative will also focus on developing strong relationships with farmers through regular extension visits for knowledge exchange and developing regular farmer touchpoints. A key aspect of the programme is inclusive sourcing, with a strong emphasis on empowering women, youth, and marginalised groups by participating in formalized contracts and access to services.
SBL will also leverage technology to make data-driven decisions and guarantee traceability, digitalising operations through use of digital tools, and utilising data analytics for making decisions. This includes putting all farmer data in one platform and developing a digital farmer footprint for credit access. The Guest of Honour at the launch, Hon. Gerald Mweli, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, lauded SBL's commitment. "The Ministry of Agriculture commends SBL for this 'Shamba ni Mali' program.

 This initiative aligns perfectly with our national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector and enhance food security. Partnerships between the private sector, like SBL, and government institutions are crucial for driving sustainable development and ensuring that our farmers move from subsistence to prosperous enterprises.”

The launch event brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, development partners, and relevant stakeholders to highlight progress made and to foster stronger public-private collaboration in advancing Tanzania's agricultural landscape.