In the village of Paje Mjogooni, Unguja – Zanzibar, Shemsa John Taraba is redefining what it means to be a modern farmer.
Through determination, hard work, and strategic support, she has transformed a modest poultry venture into a thriving business, showing that women can play a central role in Zanzibar’s agricultural and economic development.
Shemsa’s journey began with just 830 chickens, producing 36 trays of eggs daily. The farm was small, and the challenges were many.
Limited access to finance and technical knowledge threatened to stall her ambitions.
However, support from the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) changed the course of her enterprise. Through TADB, she received an affordable loan and technical guidance that allowed her to scale her farm, upgrade infrastructure, and improve productivity.
Today, her flock has grown to 5,000 chickens, producing around 145 trays of eggs per day. Despite this impressive output, demand for her eggs still exceeds supply.
Customers often place orders before the eggs are even laid, reflecting both the quality of her produce and the unmet demand in the local market.
Beyond personal success, Shemsa has positively impacted her community. She has created jobs for youth and women in Paje and surrounding villages, providing steady income and training in poultry management.
Through her enterprise, she has also contributed to food security in the area, ensuring families have access to fresh, nutritious eggs. Shemsa envisions expanding her farm beyond Zanzibar to meet growing demand and create more employment opportunities.
Running a large poultry farm comes with its own challenges. Rising costs of poultry feed, fluctuating market prices, and expensive veterinary care increase operational expenses.
Additionally, Shemsa needs more capital to scale her operations further and meet the rising demand. Yet, her vision and perseverance continue to drive her forward.
Shemsa’s achievements reflect the objectives of government policies under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which aim to empower women and youth through affordable financing and support for agriculture and livestock.
These initiatives recognize the importance of small-scale farmers in driving national economic growth.
TADB, by providing access to funding and technical support, has demonstrated that rural women can lead transformative change in agriculture.
Shemsa speaks passionately about her future plans: “If I receive more capital, I can raise 10,000 chickens and provide more jobs for youth. Seeing my children support me motivates me – this project is for my family, village, and nation.”
Her story highlights that livestock farming is not just profitable; it is a pathway for women-led economic transformation.
Her farm is entirely her own, built on perseverance, careful planning, and a clear vision. From humble beginnings with 830 chickens, she has developed a professional, modern poultry enterprise capable of producing hundreds of trays of eggs daily.
The farm is a testament to how access to proper support and financing can elevate a small-scale farmer to a successful businesswoman.
Shemsa’s success extends beyond financial gains. By employing local youth and women, she has created opportunities for others to learn new skills and earn income.
Her work has inspired other women in the region to consider agriculture as a viable and profitable enterprise.
Through her achievements, she is helping to shift perceptions about the role of women in business and rural economic development.
Every tray of eggs from her farm tells a story – of hard work, strategic support, and a journey from a small household operation to a thriving modern business.
Shemsa John Taraba’s story demonstrates that rural women, with determination and access to resources, can feed communities, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
Zanzibar is experiencing a green revolution, and Shemsa is at the forefront, proving that the path to national development often begins in rural villages.