“A tree is known by the fruit it bears.”
The Agricultural Inputs Trust Fund (AGITF) has continued to prove its worth in the broader quest to empower young people across the country to venture into profitable agribusiness projects.
At Arusha’s HortiLogistica Africa 2026, the AGITF pavilion emerged as one of the event’s major crowd-pullers, attracting hundreds of farmers, many of them young people, eager to learn from inspiring testimonies about how the government-owned fund has supported agricultural ventures.
Mr Kamal Haji Simba, a young horticultural farmer from Zanzibar, was among the many young people who visited the AGITF pavilion, primarily to gain knowledge about the available financial support.
“I heard about how AGITF is financially supporting young farmers to turn their agribusiness dreams into reality,” he said.
He expressed delight at learning about AGITF’s development of a farmer-friendly loan scheme offering credit at low interest rates.
“Doing horticulture is a little bit expensive. This type of agricultural practice requires the installation of modern irrigation systems and other essential facilities. I have decided to visit the AGITF pavilion to explore how best I can receive financial assistance to expand my project,” he explained.
Ms Angelina Silvester is the Executive Director of Iringa-based Elite Brand Company.
She explained how AGITF had successfully supported the company’s tomato processing plant, enabling it to expand its operations.
“We are involved in the tomato processing sector in Iringa. Previously, we had only a few processing plants, meaning that our processing capacity was relatively low,” she said.
However, following financial support from AGITF, she said, the company had managed to expand its operations by installing additional processing plants, significantly boosting its production capacity.
“I am appealing to young people across the country who are willing to venture into agribusiness but are constrained by limited access to capital to make use of AGITF’s reliable and trusted services,” she urged.
AGITF Senior Operations Manager Ms Jane Hebron said the Trust continues to welcome more young agribusiness enthusiasts from across the country to benefit from its financial support services.
“AGITF is a Tanzanian government institution that helps farmers bridge the gap created by high costs and limited access to traditional bank loans by providing low-interest credit for agricultural, livestock and fisheries activities, among others,” she explained.
“Our doors are wide open to more young people across Mainland Tanzania seeking financial assistance and capital loans to turn their agribusiness dreams into reality,” she added.
ABOUT AGITF
The Agricultural Inputs Trust Fund (AGITF), locally known as Mfuko wa Udhamini wa Pembejeo za Kilimo, is a Tanzanian government institution established under the Agricultural Inputs Trust Fund Act (Cap. 401 R.E. 2002).
The Fund serves as a financial bridge, helping farmers overcome challenges associated with high production costs and limited access to conventional bank financing through affordable credit for agricultural, livestock and fisheries inputs.
Core Purpose and Background
AGITF was established to address challenges arising from the transition from state-driven to private-sector agricultural input markets, changes in crop board regulations and the removal of subsidies on fertilisers and pesticides.
Its core mission is to provide accessible agricultural financing to smallholder farmers, young people and women to improve their socio-economic well-being.
Key Services and Loan Offerings
Target groups: Smallholder farmers, livestock keepers, fishers, young people aged 18–40 and women up to the age of 65.
Interest rates: Low-interest direct or partner-backed credit, typically ranging between 3 and 5 per cent per annum, depending on the financing programme and institutional arrangement.
Financed activities:
Procurement of seeds, fertilisers, livestock inputs, agricultural implements and tools, as well as agro-processing activities.
Institutional partnerships:
AGITF also extends financing through intermediary institutions, including community banks and microfinance institutions. These arrangements include partnerships with institutions such as Azania Bank, which has managed credit and guarantee allocations, including TZS 10 billion earmarked for young people and women.