Tanga. Since 1967, the Mombo Irrigation Scheme Cooperative has been a cornerstone of rice production in the area, bringing together 207 farmers, 131 women and 76 men all driven by a shared vision of feeding Tanzania and uplifting their community.
The scheme manages 625 acres of rice fields cultivated each year. From this land, more than 80,000 bags of rice are harvested per season.
After milling, the yield amounts to approximately 5,200 tons of clean rice. This makes a significant contribution to the nation’s food security, with the current market value of Mombo’s rice production reaching about Sh7.8 billion annually.
To boost efficiency and strengthen productivity, the cooperative partnered with the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) to access an affordable loan.
The funds have been used to purchase a modern rice harvester, rice milling and processing machines, a modern tractor for cultivation, and essential farm inputs.
These modern facilities have transformed farming in the Mombo scheme by reducing post-harvest losses, lowering production costs, and ensuring farmers maximize benefits from every acre of land. As a result, farming here is not just for subsistence it is business.
Many farmers have built houses, created employment, educated their children, acquired means of transport, and improved their livelihoods.
According to the project’s Deputy Chairperson, Mr Charles Kweka, “The Mombo project has created new jobs for over 200 youths and women, ensured reliable incomes for farming families, and contributed to food security for thousands of households.”
He further emphasized that the investment has injected new strength into Tanzania’s rice value chain and ensured that smallholder farmers remain central to the nation’s food supply solutions.
The Mombo Irrigation Scheme stands as proof that when we invest in agriculture, we invest in people. Through collective effort, we are cultivating food security, empowering women and youth, and building a stronger future for Tanzania.
Board member Ms Rehema Athuman urged women across the country to actively engage in the agricultural sector, stressing that “agriculture is the backbone of our nation and a key pathway for women to achieve economic independence and move away from dependency.”
