By The Respondent Reporter, Tanga
Young people in Tanga Region are making significant strides in economic empowerment through commercial dairy farming, thanks to a joint initiative by the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) and Solidaridad East Africa.
The program, called Youth Farm Settlement (YFS) under the Dairy 2025 Catalyst for Investment, targets Tanzanians under 35, helping them engage in commercial livestock farming.
The initiative aims to move youth beyond subsistence farming to profitable ventures that generate sustainable income and create jobs for others.
In the first phase, five young beneficiaries were allocated ten-acre farms each, complete with modern infrastructure.
Each farm includes a contemporary house for the owner, a dairy cattle barn housing ten cows and their calves, a poultry house for 200 indigenous chickens, one acre of pastureland, reliable water infrastructure for farming and irrigation, and five pregnant dairy cows.
The goal is for each beneficiary to produce at least 40 litres of milk daily.
CPA Imani Nkataura, Senior Business Development Officer at TADB Northern Zone, said the initiative seeks to transform young people’s perception of agriculture.
She explained that the program encourages youth to view farming as a viable business that can create wealth and employment rather than a subsistence activity.
“Our aim is to ensure young people understand that with proper knowledge and resources, agriculture can provide steady income, create jobs, and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs,” she said.
Ms. Nkataura emphasized that technical support, including training in livestock management, pasture care, and business practices, is essential to maintain production and ensure the profitability of the farms.
The beneficiaries describe the program as life-changing.
Dorice Cyprian Muselem said the initiative has given her a clear path toward a sustainable future.
“Before this project, I saw farming only as a survival activity. Now, I understand that it can be a profitable business. I can earn a steady income, employ others, and inspire my peers to see agriculture as a source of opportunity,” she explained.
Employment creation is a key outcome of the program.
Each beneficiary is expected to employ at least two other young people to assist with farm operations, including managing dairy cows, poultry, and pastureland.
This not only provides jobs but also transfers skills to other youth, fostering a new generation of skilled farmers.
The farms are designed to ensure high productivity.
Each cow is expected to produce an average of eight litres of milk daily, providing a total of at least 40 litres per farm for the market.
This contributes to the local milk supply and provides young farmers with a reliable source of income.
The program also positions young farmers as role models within their communities, demonstrating that agriculture can drive economic growth and provide sustainable livelihoods.
Muselem said her success has inspired peers to reconsider farming as a business rather than just survival.
Through this partnership, TADB and Solidaridad are laying the foundation for a new generation of skilled and ambitious young farmers in Tanga, shifting perceptions of agriculture and promoting sustainable economic development.
