High-value fruit and timber crops are grown commercially in the Tanzanian Southern Highlands. The economic benefits, however, have gone to wholesalers, not to the local farmers who toil to produce the crops. Because they lacked awareness of the economic potential of their products, local farmers were losing possible income. USAID has been working with some of these farmers to increase their productivity and market awareness through training in post-harvest handling, packaging, and direct marketing.

Participating farmers are now beginning to reap the benefits - tripling their incomes. In only one growing season, the program established 255 new private nurseries, which realized sales of 382,391 fruit and timber trees - more than tripling their targets. For the 150 families who own nurseries, this will result in an estimated increase of $350,000 in income for the coming year.

Additionally, farmers have been trained in appropriate technologies such as pumps and oil presses. By December 2003, private manufacturers and retailers sold 529 pumps, which will result in over $635,000 in income increases over the lifetime of the pumps for manufacturers, retailers, and smallholder farmers. Seventy-five additional oil presses will yield an estimated $187,000 over their productive lifetimes.

By encouraging an environment for enterprise development, increasing the commercial availability of technologies, and improving market access for agricultural products, Tanzania has strengthened three key economic sectors - irrigated horticulture, tree crops, and edible oils.