Stories
Tanzania
5 March 2026
International Women’s Day: Planting sorghum, harvesting opportunity
This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the determination, innovation and leadership of women who are transforming food systems across rural Africa. When women have access to the right skills, tools and opportunities, they can strengthen their own livelihoods as well as their community and local economy.
In drought-prone Misingisa village in Tanzania’s Dodoma region, Damaris is one of these women.
With climate pressures mounting and harvests becoming ever more uncertain, Damaris knew she needed to farm differently. Five years ago, when she heard that Farm Africa was seeking farmers interested in growing sorghum – a high-value, drought-resilient crop not commonly grown in her area – she didn’t hesitate.
Damaris tending to her sorghum crop field.
Through training and market support from Farm Africa’s climate-smart project, funded by the World Food Programme, Damaris and her fellow farmers gained the skills and confidence to produce sorghum profitably. In 2024, the project was handed fully to the farmers – a testament to its success and sustainability.
Today, sorghum has become a profitable success story in the area.
“I estimate 80% of farmers in the area are now growing it. People are telling me their lives have changed completely just because of sorghum.”
Veronica Yesaya
Farm Africa value chain officer
Alongside producing high-quality sorghum seeds, Damaris grows her own crop of sorghum and times her sales strategically to maximise profits.
Her success is built on knowledge. Training from Farm Africa on post-harvest handling and the use of hermetic storage bags has enabled her to safely store grain and wait for better market prices. By reducing losses and improving quality, she has turned smart storage into higher income.
Damaris’s vegetable garden.
“Last year I managed to sell for 1,500 Tanzanian shillings per kilo. I didn’t sell when there was a high supply; I sold in March and that’s why I got such a good price.”
Damaris now serves as the negotiator for her village. She told us: “I have a selling station here. Other farmers, after harvesting their sorghum, bring it here so I can sell it for them. I negotiate the price for everyone and share the money.”
Damaris holding her harvested sorghum.
In the 2024/2025 growing season alone, she negotiated on behalf of almost 400 farmers, selling around 500 metric tonnes of sorghum. Her leadership ensures farmers – many of them women – can access reliable markets and fair prices.
Through Farm Africa and SNV’s ongoing NOURISH project, Damaris continues to expand her opportunities.
She accessed a seed planter at half price through a supplier linked to the project, dramatically increasing her productivity.
“Last year, I produced 18 bags, each bag was 100kg. Before using the planter, I was only getting five bags on the same land. I also rent the planter to other farmers,”
Damaris
Sorghum farmer from Tanzania
What was once subsistence farming has evolved into a diversified agribusiness. Damaris now earns income from seed production, grain sales and equipment rental.
She has also adopted drip irrigation to grow drought-resilient vegetables, improving her family’s nutrition while generating additional income – a vital step towards resilience in a changing climate.
With multiple income streams comes the need for strong financial management.
Damaris updating her account book.
Farm Africa training sessions have not only increased Damaris’s agricultural knowledge but also strengthened her confidence and decision-making power. Financial literacy ensures that growth translates into long-term security.
Damaris explains: “I do all of the bookkeeping myself. I learnt how to do it through training during the sorghum project. I make a note of the costs, then I know exactly how much I have earned.”
Damaris and her family standing in front of her new door.
The impact of Damaris’s success brings benefits for her whole family: “Before Farm Africa I used to only have a small house, but now I have managed to build a new house. The children are now going to school or getting technical knowledge in industry. They’ve managed to get there because of the money I’m earning. It’s made a big change to our lives.”
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate women like Damaris who are leading climate-smart agriculture, strengthening local markets and investing in the next generation.
Because when women farmers succeed, everyone benefits.
Photo Credit: Farm Africa / Bertha Lutome
