21 people get jobs through the avocado farm, while 6 local farmers learn sustainable practices to grow avocados and achieve financial independence in NJombe region, Tanzania.

Local Solution
Thubutu Africa Initiatives (TAI) is finding a way to support its operations by starting a sustainable avocado business. At the same time, TAI is training local farmers in environmentally friendly avocado farming methods. This initiative aims to create a self-sustaining farm that provides a steady income to support TAI’s broader mission and community projects.

Like many local NGOs, TAI faces financial challenges due to the changing funding landscape. Most donors prioritise direct community impact, leaving many organisations struggling to cover operational costs. TAI’s five-year plan for commercial avocado farming in the Njombe region, known for its excellent avocado-growing conditions, seeks to ensure long-term stability and continued impact.

The Solution: TAI has planted 700 trees on 6 acres of their 10-acre land and has invested in drip irrigation systems. By 2026, they expect to start harvesting avocados. To make this plan successful, they need a solar power system to run their irrigation infrastructure. Solar energy is a sustainable and cost-effective choice that will reduce reliance on expensive diesel generators and lower the farm’s carbon footprint. Additionally, it will help minimise the risks associated with power outages and fuel price increases. The existing drip irrigation system is essential for keeping the avocado trees healthy, especially during dry seasons. For this system to work efficiently, an energy source is crucial. By using solar-powered irrigation, TAI will significantly cut operational costs, leading to higher profit margins. Starting in 2027, TAI expects to receive 80% of the profits generated from the avocado farm.

TAI has been in operation for a decade and has positively impacted 152,000 people since its inception. Through this initiative, TAI employs three local residents to manage the farm daily, while around 20 women take on temporary roles. TAI also provides training on innovative farming techniques, ensuring local farmers are well-equipped to adopt best practices. So far, 6 farmers have successfully implemented what they learned on the farm.

Lives Improved
In just one year, 21 individuals will secure permanent jobs, benefiting 84 family members with access to nutritious food, better healthcare, and improved education for their children. The farm will also create stable jobs for 20 women from the community. It is expected that 6 participants will acquire valuable agronomic skills that enhance their farming practices.

Community Impact
We will track long-term effects by measuring how many local farmers adopt solar irrigation and see increased productivity from sustainable practices. Community members will know the project is successful when they observe real improvements in their quality of life and greater economic opportunities. This project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG2 (Zero Hunger).

By 2031, TAI aims to generate €6.359 annually from the avocado farm, which will be reinvested into community programs. Most importantly, the community will enjoy better access to essential services as their economic status improves.

TAI strives to build a self-sustaining and empowered community by creating job opportunities, providing education, and offering prospects that were previously unavailable. TAI is dedicated to addressing both financial and social challenges in Kifanya village in Njombe region, contributing to global health and prosperity through sustainable agriculture.

Budget
The budget for the activities is TSh9,373,684 (or €3254). The funds will cover:

• Purchase of a solar power system
• Installation of the solar power system
• 5% to iMPACT direct for managing donations to local solutions (covering website costs, financial services for donations, and support for NGOs in promotion and fundraising)

Own Contribution: TAI will cover travel and accommodation for supervising staff.

Testimonial
“I want to express my gratitude to TAI. The support has not only provided employment opportunities but has also uplifted my community as more of us learn about sustainable practices. We no longer feel left behind or valueless.” – Aisha, local farmer.

Draft 1

Avocado Farming for Change
21 individuals gain employment as a result of the avocado farm while xxx farmers learn sustainable agricultural practices to increase avocado productivity and they all secure financial freedom in Jombe, Tanzania

Local Solution
Thubutu Africa Initiatives(TAI) through their social enterprise is addressing their organisational sustainability through an innovative approach by establishing a sustainable avocado business. At the same time, they are training local farmers on sustainable avocado farming. TAI is committed to establishing a self-sustaining avocado farm to create a steady income stream to fund TAI’s broader mission and community initiatives.

TAI just like other locally-led NGOs, experience financial constraints to sustain their operations with the ever changing funding landscape. Most funders proritise directly funding community impact. As a result, many civil society organizations struggle to sustain their operations, facing financial strain that hampers their overall effectiveness. TAI seeks to ensure long-term stability and continued impact through their  5 year plan for commercial avocado farming in the Njombe region known for its ideal avocado-growing conditions.

The solution: TAI has planted 700 trees in 6 acres of their 10 acre  land. Their investment also included; procured seedlings and their irrigation system. By 2026, they will begin harvesting avocados. To realise their plan, they need a solar system which aims to power their irrigation infrastructure. Solar power is the most viable option. Because Solar energy is both environmentally sustainable and cost-effective in the long term, reducing reliance on costly diesel-powered generators and minimizing the farm’s carbon footprint. Additionally, solar power will help mitigate the risks of power outages and fuel price fluctuations that could disrupt farm operations. The existing drip irrigation system is crucial for ensuring consistent irrigation and maintaining the health of the avocado trees, particularly during dry seasons. However, for the irrigation system to function optimally, an energy source is required.Use of Solar-Powered irrigation is one of the strategies to reduce operational costs rather than reliance on fossil fuels and lowering our carbon footprint. This will extremely minimize operational cost and hence contribute to high profit margins. TAI expect to be receiving 80% of the profit  that is generated from TAAF commencing from 2027.

TAI has been in operation for the last 10 years, and they have impacted 152,000 people since inception. Through this initiative, TAI has three employees from the community who manage the farm daily, while around 20 women participate in temporary roles. In addition, TAI conducts training sessions on innovative farming techniques, ensuring local farmers have the knowledge to adopt best practices and improve productivity. So far 6 farmers have adopted the techniques they learnt on the farm.

Lives Improved
Within 1 year, 21 individuals gain permanent employment earning them an income that benefits 84 family members with nutritious food,  better healthcare and education for their children.

In addition, The farm will support the creation of stable jobs for 20 women from the local community. It is expected that xxx  acquire agronomic skills to improve their agricultural practices significantly.

Community Impact
We plan to measure long-term impacts, focusing on the number of local farmers who adopt solar irrigation systems and those experiencing increased productivity from using eco-friendly practices. Community members will consider the project a success when they see tangible improvements in quality of life and increased opportunities for economic advancement. This project directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG2 (Zero Hunger).

By 2031, TAI aims to receive $72,000 annually from the TAAF, which will be reinvested into community programs and initiatives. Most importantly, the community will have better access to essential services as their economic status improves.

TAI aims to cultivate an empowered, self-sustaining community by providing employment, education, and opportunities that were previously unavailable. The journey towards a fruitful future starts with the commitment of TAI to address both financial and social challenges in Kifanya village, ultimately contributing to global health and prosperity through sustainable agriculture.

Budget
The budget for the following activities is Tsh 18,410,000 (or €7,364). The donation will be used to:

• Purchase of a solar system
• Installation of the solar system
• 5% to iMPACT direct for facilitating direct donations to local solutions (covering our costs for the website, financial costs of direct donations, and basic costs to support NGOs in promotion and fundraising.)

Own contribution: TAI will facilitate the Fare and accomodation for supervisor TAI staff

Testimonials
“I want to express my gratitude to TAI. The support has not only helped with employment opportunities but has also uplifted my community as more of us learn about sustainable practices. We no longer feel left behind or valueless.” – Aisha, local farmer