1. What inspired you to venture into agriculture at such a young age?
My journey began in 2015 after completing my university studies when I ventured into farming. I started off by cultivating tomatoes, capsicums and watermelons which I sold to middlemen.
During this time I faced major challenges with food waste and low margins due to unnecessary non- value-added activities [LN1] in the agricultural chain. After four years of farming, I stopped and founded Kilimo Fresh in 2018 with a mission to help millions of African farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
Growing up, I witnessed the vast potential of agriculture to drive economic growth, particularly in rural communities. I recognised the challenges many families faced in accessing fresh, quality produce, which motivated me to work towards making agriculture a reliable and profitable industry.
2. Can you share some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your agribusiness, and how you overcame them?
Starting Kilimo Fresh came with substantial challenges, especially in accessing finance, building a skilled team, and managing high demand with limited resources. Securing capital in the early stages was difficult, as many investors saw agribusiness as high-risk. We overcame this by approaching impact-focused investors who aligned with our mission and demonstrated the potential of our business model, eventually gaining the support of an early investor.
Talent acquisition was also achallenge, as finding individuals with both agricultural knowledge and digital skills proved tough. We addressed this by investing in developing our team’s skills in-house, creating a core group aligned with our goals.
Additionally, as demand grew, managing overwhelming orders while meeting customer expectations became a daily test of our capacity. We focused on optimising our logistics, leasing collection centres, and leveraging technology to streamline operations, which allowed us to improve our service delivery and ultimately build a strong reputation in the market. These challenges strengthened our resilience and laid a solid foundation for future growth.
3. What innovative practices or technologies are you using in your agribusiness operations?
Kilimo Fresh utilises a digital platform to connect farmers directly with vendors and consumers, enhancing transparency and reducing inefficiencies. We employ data analytics for accurate demand forecasting and to optimise inventory management. Our investments in cold chain infrastructure help maintain product quality and minimise waste. Additionally, we train farmers in climate-smart agriculture, promoting sustainable practices.
Looking ahead, we aim to integrate more technology to improve the efficiency of sourcing produce from smallholder farmers. This will help reduce paperwork and better profile farmers, enabling them to access additional services like financing and insurance.
4. How has support from AGRA impacted your journey and success as an agri-preneur?
AGRA’s support has been instrumental, providing us with resources to train farmers on post-harvest handling and sustainable practices. It has also enabled us to offer inputs, machinery, and land, which have directly improved crop quality and yields. This partnership has allowed Kilimo Fresh to expand its impact and foster loyalty among farmers, which is essential for a stable supply chain. The program has enabled us to impact an additional 180 youth farmers, where more than 40% are women.
5. Can you describe a breakthrough moment in your business that made you realize you were on the right path?**
A breakthrough moment for Kilimo Fresh came when we secured contracts to supply major clients like KFC, Pizza Hut, and international airlines. This marked a significant validation of our business model and operational capabilities, confirming that we were on the right path to providing fresh, high-quality produce to trusted brands. Another key milestone was receiving our first investment from an early investor, which fuelled our growth and gave us the resources to expand our network, refine our processes, and reinforce our impact in the agricultural sector. These early successes solidified our vision and motivated us to push forward with even greater momentum.
6. How do you think young people can be encouraged to pursue careers in agriculture?
I believe young people need to see agriculture as a dynamic and impactful field. By showcasing real-life success stories, providing training, and offering mentorship, we can create pathways that make agriculture appealing. Promoting agri-tech and innovations also demonstrates that agriculture can be as modern and forward-thinking as other sectors.
7. What role do you see for sustainability and environmental stewardship in modern agriculture?
Sustainability is at the core of Kilimo Fresh’s values. We advocate for practices like crop rotation, organic farming, sustainable packaging and distribution which improve soil health and minimise environmental impact. Our goal is to lead by example and create a model that prioritises sustainable food production while addressing food security. We believe sustainable practices will be key to the future of agriculture and the well-being of our communities.
8. How have you managed to balance traditional farming techniques with modern agricultural advancements?
Traditional methods are highly valued at Kilimo Fresh, particularly those that respect local ecosystems and farming knowledge. We aim to blend these methods with modern advancements, such as precision agriculture and digital platforms, creating a hybrid approach that honours heritage while enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Our training programs focus on upskilling farmers, helping them adapt to new technologies without disregarding their traditional expertise. We also work on changing their mindset, encouraging farmers to be open and willing to embrace processes that can increase their yields, reduce risks, and grow their income. Once they begin to see the results, they often become advocates and ambassadors for these methods among their peers. It’s always a step-by-step process.
9. What advice would you give to other young people interested in entering the agricultural sector?
Agriculture has a vast supply chain that includes farming, packaging, marketing, and distribution. I usually advise youths to start with a clear vision and determine which part of the value chain they want to focus on. It’s also important to surround themselves with the right mentors who can provide guidance.
Agriculture can be both rewarding and challenging, so resilience is essential. Embracing technology and sustainability from the beginning will be crucial in meeting the growing demand for food while protecting the environment. Additionally, it’s important to be open to learning from both successes and failures.
10. What are your future plans and goals for your agribusiness, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Kilimo Fresh is on a mission to become Tanzania’s preferred marketplace for fresh produce while revolutionising farming practices across the region. Our goal is to empower farmers with sustainable farming skills that improve crop yields, enhance soil biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience.
We are expanding operations to new regions within Tanzania, including Dodoma and Zanzibar, while also planning entry into nearby countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to increase our reach and impact.
By leveraging digital solutions and cold chain infrastructure, we aim to connect more farmers to markets efficiently, ensuring fresh produce reaches consumers swiftly. With plans to reach over 100,000 farmers and serve more than 40,000 retailers, Kilimo Fresh is committed to scaling partnerships that provide resources and training to farmers, empowering them to produce quality crops sustainably and consistently. Through this expansion, we expect to grow our network of informal retailers to 4,000 by next year and increase B2B partnerships in Zanzibar, solidifying our impact on food security and economic growth across East Africa.
