«My day starts at 5:30 AM. After a quick shower, I head straight to the school vegetable garden. That is where I tend to the plants and supervise the students in charge of watering them. Afterward, I settle down for private studies to get a head start on my schoolwork while waiting for classes to begin at 7:30 AM.
Of all my activities, gardening is by far my favorite. Taking care of a plant, from a tiny seed to the plate, gives me a real sense of responsibility. Every vegetable harvest in the school garden is a source of immense pride for me; it makes me feel like I have accomplished something truly remarkable.
Makundi Ally Majidu is 20 years old and student of the Ndwika Girl High School, in Tansania.
Her wish for the International Year of Women Farmers:
I truly wish women had better access to market insights, and that they could benefit from training and skills in sustainable farming.
Cultivating the Future Despite the Odds
Agriculture is a true passion of mine. In the future, I want to become a farmer, use modern, eco-friendly tools, and contribute to food security in my community. I would love to specialize in tomatoes. It is a crop with an already strong local market because it is the foundation of so many traditional dishes. On top of that, it is an essential raw material for processing industries, particularly for making tomato paste and sauces.
Yet, I know the road ahead will not be easy. Coming from a low-income household, I rely on my parents to fund my dream, which means I probably won’t be able to operate at the scale I truly desire initially. Beyond the financial aspect, I also expect a lack of moral support. Around here, many still believe that working the land is only for the uneducated. I highly doubt that those around me will welcome my decision with enthusiasm.
Facts and Figures
The role of women in agriculture in Tanzania
More than 80% of Tanzanian women living in rural areas depend directly on agriculture for their livelihood. They represent between 52% and 54% of the country’s total agricultural workforce.
The challenge of land rights and property ownership
On a legal level, Tanzanian law (the Village Land Act) guarantees strictly equal access to land for both men and women. In practice, however, nearly 80% of rural land remains governed by customary law. The local patriarchal system generally leaves the inheritance and management of land to men. Without property titles in their own names, women are unable to secure bank loans to invest.
The development of agroecology
Tanzania is facing an increasing use of pesticides in the vegetable farming sector. In response, the government has officially adopted the National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy (NEOAS 2023–2030). The State’s objective is to position Tanzania as the leader in agroecology in East Africa by 2030 by training smallholder farmers.
Women: The Pillars of the Earth
Women are the pillar of our communities. They are the ones who care for families, protecting and passing on life from generation to generation. But their role goes far beyond that: they are a vital source of labor and a major economic backbone. They do not just manage the household; they are fully-fledged players in agricultural production.
I do not know if it is difficult to be a female farmer today. But listening to the stories of other women farmers, I can say that it used to be a real struggle. The pioneers faced much greater challenges than the newer generations, especially when it came to breaking down gender barriers. I am convinced that by building more inclusive and equal structures, we will make this profession much more accessible to women.»
