Josephat Mwanzi | February 25, 2026
News Brief
In eastern Tanzania, organic farmer Mercy Meena is working to improve her livelihood through better market access and sustainable farming practices. After struggling with soil exhaustion and low yields, she joined Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), where she learned how to prepare compost, manage pests naturally, and improve soil health. With support from SAT and its sister company SAT Holistic Group Ltd, her tomatoes now reach reliable buyers, increasing her income and strengthening her household resilience. Yet challenges remain, including consumer awareness, certification costs, and market competition. As Tanzania expands ecological organic farming under national strategy frameworks, farmers like Mercy are proving that better market linkages can transform rural livelihoods.
In Lukobe village on the outskirts of Morogoro town in eastern Tanzania, 61-year-old Mercy Meena recalls the frustration of her early days in farming. She longed to grow food without chemicals but lacked the knowledge to prepare compost or manage her soil.
Reflecting on her journey, she says: “I had to learn, because organic farming gives us healthier crops, secures food for our families, and eases the burden of costly chemicals.”
Before, Mrs. Meena relied on rabbit and cow manure, but making compost was difficult. She recalls: “I didn’t know how to prepare it. The soil was exhausted, and my yields were low. I was determined to farm without chemicals, protect my soils from climate stress, and provide my children with safe, nutritious food; so, I sought out the knowledge I needed.”
Her turning point came after joining Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) in 2022, where she attended training sessions that changed her approach to farming. SAT promotes organic farming across crops such as maize, beans and vegetables, with a focus on inclusive participation that benefits both men and women through knowledge-sharing and improved market access.
She says: “With guidance, I learned how to prepare organic fertilizer, manage pests naturally and improve soil health. Soon, my tomatoes attracted demand from SAT staff, professors at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and members of the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), even before they reached my local market.”
SAT alone purchased more than 150 kilograms of tomatoes per week, enabling Mercy to earn enough income to buy two cows valued at TZS 2,500,000 (about USD 1,000) each. As her yields and income improved, neighbours began to take notice.
Mrs. Glory George, a neighbour and regular customer, says: “These tomatoes are fresh, chemical-free and have a rich flavour.”
Mrs. Mercy’s tomatoes, milk, and chickens are a symbol of resilience and dignity, proof that organic farming can transform lives and communities. She also keeps indigenous chickens and has begun training neighbours in poultry rearing, with the aim of positioning her community as a hub for local chicken and organic produce. She is now planning to establish natural livestock feed using locally available resources, including moringa leaves and lucerne.
She says: “I know how to prepare it and sell it so that farmers can improve milk quality and quantity. My plan is to buy a machine to produce natural livestock feed.”
Despite these gains, challenges remain. Statistics show that over three-quarters of Tanzanians rely on smallholder farmers for food, making their success vital to national food security. Yet smallholders continue to face obstacles. Certification costs remain high. Post-harvest losses persist due to poor storage and transport. Limited access to finance restricts investment in better tools.
Some market officers involved in agroecological produce say one of the biggest challenges is linking farmers to vendors when consumers are not adequately sensitised.
Mr. Samson Helman says: “Consumers see tomatoes or carrots that are large in size and less expensive, and they do not ask whether the products are organic.”
He adds: “If one kilogramme of conventional tomatoes costs TZS 600 or 700 (about USD 0.25–0.28), while organic tomatoes cost TZS 1,000 (about USD 0.40), most buyers choose the cheaper option. Small traders eventually stop buying organic produce because it is more expensive and demand is low when they take it to local markets.”
In Arusha, street vendors continue to sell organic produce, but mainly to a small group of people in areas such as Njiro, where residents are more aware and concerned about their health.
Mrs. Anna Mushi explains: “I buy organic vegetables because I want my children to eat food that is safe. It may cost more, but I believe it saves us from hospital bills in the future.”
Mr. Jimmy Mongi says: “The challenge is that much effort is placed on production rather than consumer sensitisation. Without awareness, people continue buying food with sumu, chemical poisons, without realising the risks.”
Ms. Salma Yassin says: “When we form groups and conduct training, we do not segregate men and women. Everyone is included equally.”
She adds: “Often, women make up the majority, about 61% compared to 41% men.”
To strengthen market access, SAT established a sister company, SAT Holistic Group Ltd, designed as a social enterprise to buy produce directly from farmers, add value through processing and packaging, and link products to wider markets in Tanzania and beyond.
Mr. Juma Masamba says: “When organic vegetables are properly packaged, customers trust them more. They see the quality and are willing to pay a fair price. Without SAT Holistic, many farmers would still struggle to sell their crops.”
As ecological organic farming expands under Tanzania’s National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy (2023–2030), farmers like Mercy Meena demonstrate that training alone is not enough. Reliable buyers, value addition, and consumer awareness are equally critical to building a resilient organic value chain.
This story was produced as part of the IRESAP project.