WOMEN are increasingly taking up leadership positions in agriculture, bringing new opportunities to strengthen agribusiness, empower rural communities and improve livelihoods.
For Ms Grace Kimonge, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Farm for the Future Tanzania Ltd (FFF), her five-year tenure will focus on strengthening accountability, improving financial management and expanding agricultural production.
Kimonge, who has worked with FFF for eight years, including two years as Acting Chief Executive Officer from 2024 to 2026, said she would prioritise effective management systems, staff development and sustainable business growth.
Speaking to The Zanzibar News recently, she said her appointment marked an important milestone in her professional journey, having joined the company as its first employee when it was established in 2019 in Ilula Ward, Kilolo District, Iringa Region.
“I have been part of FFF since its establishment. I contributed ideas and participated in its early activities, including preparing and clearing the farm before production began,” she said.
FFF is an agricultural company working with communities in 16 surrounding villages. Its production includes maize seed, macadamia nuts and seed potatoes, alongside rotational crops such as soya beans, sunflower and common beans.
Beyond commercial farming, the company has initiatives aimed at addressing challenges facing communities around its operations.
Kimonge said a baseline survey conducted before the company began operating identified several challenges, including unemployment, limited knowledge of modern farming practices, malnutrition and a high number of young mothers.
She said the findings prompted FFF to collaborate with Agronomical Community Empowerment (ACE) to support farmers and vulnerable groups.
“We consulted stakeholders and decided to work with ACE, which has helped us train farmers in good agricultural practices, empower young mothers through agribusiness and promote awareness of human rights,” she said.
According to Kimonge, the initiatives also aim to change perceptions of agriculture, particularly among people who view farming as a punishment rather than a source of income and economic opportunity.
“We have been changing people’s mindsets so that they do not see agriculture as a punishment, but as an opportunity that can improve their livelihoods,” she said.
The company has also established a Children’s Farm to introduce young people to agriculture at an early age.
Through the initiative, pupils from different schools visit the farm to learn about agricultural production and develop practical farming skills.
Looking ahead, Kimonge said her priorities included expanding production, strengthening the company’s market position and increasing its contribution to the supply of quality planting materials.
She said FFF planned to expand macadamia production for export markets while increasing the production of maize seed and seed potatoes.
“We want to export macadamia nuts to other countries and increase the production of maize seed and seed potatoes. There is a shortage of certified seed potatoes, and we want FFF to contribute to addressing that gap by producing certified seed potatoes,” she said.
Kimonge added that strengthening financial management, accountability and staff development would be central to her leadership.
“I want to see a clear system of financial management and accountability, alongside staff growth and development,” she said.
FFF Chairperson Mr Osmund Ueland said Kimonge’s appointment marked the beginning of a new phase in the company’s development.
He said the Board would work closely with her to strengthen management, business planning, financial oversight, governance and organisational systems to support sustainable and profitable growth.
The Board congratulated Kimonge on her appointment and expressed confidence in her ability to lead the company as it expanded its operations and created long-term opportunities in Tanzania.
Empowering Young Women
Kimonge’s appointment has also attracted attention from women who have benefited from FFF’s community empowerment initiatives.
Maimuna Kitime, who has known the company since 2019 through the Women for the Future project, said the initiative had helped young women who became mothers at an early age rebuild their lives and pursue economic independence.
She said the three-year project supported 20 young women, including herself, by equipping them with skills and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
Kitime was selected as a role model among the beneficiaries and was later employed by FFF as a storekeeper.
“I am very happy to work with the new female CEO. Her appointment shows that women can lead and make a difference,” she said.
She encouraged young women who became mothers at an early age not to lose hope despite the challenges they face.
“My advice to fellow young women who became mothers at an early age is not to give up because of challenges. There are still opportunities to build a better future,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mr Joachim Haonga, a supervisor at FFF’s macadamia farm, said the company began farming activities in the area in 2022 and had continued to expand its agricultural operations.
Established in 2019 in Ilula Ward, Kilolo District, FFF focuses on agricultural production and community empowerment, working with surrounding communities to improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities through farming.