More than 300 farmers and beneficiaries of the government’s Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) agricultural initiative in Mlazo Village, Ndogowe Ward, Chamwino District in Dodoma Region have received training on reproductive health, mental health, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The seminar aimed at equipping young farmers and community members engaged in agribusiness with essential health knowledge, especially considering the long hours they spend working in farms, which may expose them to various health and social risks.
Some of the participants, including Msomaji Lusinde and Sharifa Athuman Isaka, said the training had significantly improved their understanding of mental health and reproductive health issues, areas they previously had limited knowledge about.
“This seminar has built our confidence, hope, and resilience. It has also given us knowledge on how to take care of our health so that we can continue working productively in our farming activities,” they said.
They added that the knowledge gained will help improve their livelihoods and increase productivity in agribusiness, while also committing to share the information with others who did not attend the seminar.
Speaking on behalf of the local government, Mlazo Village Executive Officer, Ms. Mahawi Makasi, noted that such training is rare in the area and has come at the right time.
She commended the government through the BBT program for organizing the seminar and called for its continuity so that more community members can benefit and address existing health and social challenges.
Meanwhile, Neema Urasa, an officer responsible for Gender, Community Development, and Social Affairs under the BBT program, said the initiative to provide the training was influenced by the living conditions of the youth, who spend most of their time in farms.
“We found it important to engage them and discuss issues related to mental health, reproductive health, and ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections, so they can remain healthy while continuing with their economic activities,” she said.
She emphasized that good health is a key foundation for individual and community development, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained to build better and more productive lives.
