NAFAKA/Africa RISING and smallholder farmers celebrating the victory after the Nane Nane Overall Winner trophy was presented at their pavilion.
The Annual Farmers’ Exhibition (Nane Nane) in Mbeya under the theme “increase productivity of produce and products of agriculture, livestock and fishing to reach the middle economy” was exceptional to NAFAKA/Africa RISING since it was their first time to participate this agriculture show in Mbeya region opposed to the past five years, NAFAKA’s participation in Morogoro region ended with a grand win.
NAFAKA/Africa RISING pavilion hosted Haonga Agro-dealer from Mbozi, Azimio Mswisi Producer Organization from Mbarali, Upendo Women Group from Chimala, Hamza Katimba, a Village Based Agricultural Advisor and Quality Declared Seeds Producer, Iwagamoyo Famers Group from Mbozi, Sibesonke (mfarming) and NINAYO.co to showcase their activities under the project.
The stand was embraced by smile and charming faces to serve the visitors. The farmers exhibited packed and labelled rice from Azimio and Upendo groups, farm inputs from Haonga Agro-dealer, QDS paddy from Hamza Katimba and online marketing of inputs and sales of produce by mfarming and NINAYO.COM.
Teamwork and corporation was the identity of the team members as described by Kundi Wasiwasi, a member from Azimio Mswisi Producer Organization. “We believed in teamwork to achieve a bigger goal in the Nane Nane exhibition that is to win a prize”, she said.
The last day of exhibition was a day to remember as NAFAKA/Africa RISING under the umbrella of SAGCOT square scooped the overall winner of the exhibition. Exhibitors at NAFAKA/Africa RISING were happy with the announcement and especially when the prize was presented at their pavilion.
Lilian Mosha, Gender and Youth Specialist of NAFAKA showed her happiness when she held the trophy. “We made it. We thank SAGCOT for accommodating us” added that “the team worked so hard on the preparation and especially during the exhibition”, she said.
The NAFAKA/Africa RISING stand was visited by approximately 9,000 people during the eight exhibition days from all walks of life including farmers, government leaders from regions of Songwe, Mbeya, Njombe, Sumbawanga and Iringa, media experts and the Chief Guest Hon. George Simbachewene, Minister of State for Regional Government and Local Authorities.
Simbachawene said that “I am impressed with innovation and technological application in your activities” added that “realization of middle economy is possible”.
NAFAKA/Africa RISING was part of the partners who were accommodate in the SAGCOT square included Akiba Commercial Bank, Alternative Products Development Processes (APDP), ASA, ASAS Dairies, Bayer, Ihemi Cluster, Kilimo Trust, Minjingu Fertilizers, Monstanto, Mtenda Kyela Rice Ltd, NOSC, PANNAR, PASS, Potato Partnership (AGRA, Mtanga and SAGCOT), Rafael Group to mention a few.
