Reviving Tanzania's Coffee Legacy, Empowering Tomorrow's Growers
Starting from Scratch: Project Implementation in Njombe Region
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Tanzania Coffee sector, once a pillar of rural livelihoods and export earnings, has declined in both productivity and farmer engagement. The Tanzania Revival and Development Program is a flagship initiative by SAADIT to restore the sector's vibrancy by investing in high-potential areas like Njombe Region. The program addresses farmer disinterest, aging farms, low seedling availability, and weak cooperative structure. With a pilot launched at Mfiliga ward in Njombe Rural District, this agricultural initiative has aimed at restoring the country's coffee sector through sustainable seedling distribution, capacity building, and market integration. In 2023, SAADIT established a 500,000 seedling nursery in Njombe rural district of the Njombe Region and distributed high-quality seedlings to over 300 smallholder farmers free of charge. With increasing demand, SAADIT now targets to raise 2 million seedlings by 2026 we are now planning for a mega nursery project to carter for the same.
Program Goal
Tanzania boasts fertile soils and ideal weather conditions for coffee cultivation, yet some regions, such as Njombe and Morogoro, are not fully capitalizing on their potential. The Tanzania Coffee Revival and Development Program aims to enhance coffee productivity in the country by focusing on these underperforming areas. By investing in these regions, the program seeks to unlock their-growing capabilities and enhance the overall output of Tanzania's coffee industry. Together, we can revitalize and transform the coffee landscape of the nation. The Program aims to revive the coffee sector empowering rural farmers—particularly youth and women by providing them with improved seedlings, modern agronomic practices, fostering cooperative-based production systems, and sustainable market access.
Program Objectives
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Replant and expand coffee acreage with resilient, high-yield seedlings to enhance productivity.
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Strengthen farmer cooperatives for collective production and marketing, fostering collaboration among growers.
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Provide agronomic training and mentorship for young and women farmers to empower the next generation.
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Establish sustainable seedling nurseries and farm demonstration sites to promote best practices.
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Improve access to local and international coffee markets, ensuring fair opportunities for all producers.
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Promote climate-smart and organic farming methods in coffee production, supporting environmental sustainability.
Program Benefiacieries
The program beneficiaries include smallholder farmers, rural youth, women-led cooperatives, and farmer groups, along with village clusters in Njombe and surrounding expansion regions. These diverse groups play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing community resilience. empowering these beneficiaries, the program aims to foster economic growth and improve livelihoods in the regions.
Why Coffee? Why Now?”
Tanzania’s coffee sector has long been a pillar of rural livelihoods, especially in regions like Njombe where altitude, climate, and soil create ideal growing conditions. Yet decades of underinvestment, aging trees, and limited youth participation have slowed growth.
The Tanzania Coffee Revival and Development Program addresses this by reinvesting in smallholder systems — from seedling propagation and farmer training to coffee market access. With the global demand for high-quality Arabica rising, now is the time to replant, revitalize, and re-empower our rural growers — especially the youth.
Coffee is not just a crop. It is a long-term livelihood engine and a cornerstone of Tanzania’s green rural economy.
PARTNER WITH US
Grow Roots of Impact with SAADIT
Let’s grow Tanzania’s coffee future together.
The Tanzania Coffee Revival and Development Program is more than a farm-based initiative. It’s a national mission to restore a legacy, empower farmers, and build a sustainable future.
Whether you are a development agency, private investor, coffee buyer, conservation group, or local government body, be informed that your partnership can transform lives and landscapes.
We invite you to collaborate in seedling scaling, farmer outreach, cooperative development, training delivery, research, and value chain enhancement.
Together, we can scale impact. From seed to Cup.
Our Impact in Numbers
Progress since 2024 — building a stronger coffee future, one seedling at a time.
300,000
Coffee seedlings raised and distributed
150
Smallholder farmers empowered
5
Villages reached across Mfiliga Ward in Njombe Rural District
1
Nursery established in Njombe Rural District
With your support, we can scale our impact and reach more farmers. The next nursery starts with your partnership.
Success Stories
Real voices from the ground
“After years on Tanzania’s largest plantations, I came home to start my own farm. With SAADIT’s support, I planted 10,000 trees — and they’re thriving. This project gave me more than seedlings — it gave me a future.”
Andrew Balele
Farmer, Mfiliga Village
“I started small, just 3 hectares. But with SAADIT’s support, I received 20,000 more seedlings — now I’ve planted over 20 hectares. If the seedlings keep coming, I’ll keep expanding.”
Emanuel Mwakibinga
Farmer, Madeke Village
“Our family farm had aging trees and no hope — until SAADIT came. I received 5,000 new seedlings and started replanting. Now I’m expanding to 4 more hectares, and I wish I had even more to plant given the ample space to we have.”
Mama Felista
Farmer, Mfiliga Village
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is SAADIT a nonprofi organization?
A: Yes. SAADIT is a nonprofit development trust focused on agricultural and agribusiness development, rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability in Tanzania.
Q: How can a farmer apply to receive free seedlings?
A: Farmers can apply through their village leaders or cooperatives during open calls. Priority is given to active smallholders with land ready for planting.
Q: Where are the coffee seedlings grown?
A: SAADIT grows its own seedlings at a major nursery in Mfiliga Ward, Njombe Rural District.
Q: Can other regions benefit from the program?
A: Yes. While it started in Njombe, SAADIT plans to expand to Morogoro, Mbeya, and other coffee-growing zones as resources allow.
Q: How are farmers supported after receiving seedlings?
A: Farmers get agronomy training, monitoring visits, and support through their local cooperatives.
Q: How can I support or partner with the program?
A: Visit the “Partner With Us” section or contact SAADIT directly to support seedlings, training, or scale-up efforts.