Arusha Women Entrepreneur

Creating a supply chain that secures income for peanut farmers
2014 SEED Africa Award; European Union
Sustainable Agriculture
Arusha
Tanzania

AWE has created a value supply chain from the production and marketing of aflatoxin-free, natural peanut butter. Generating multiple income-earning opportunities, the enterprise uses an inclusive business model. It employs women from peri-urban Arusha and, together with partner World Vision, provides technical and management skills training to smallholder farmers. 

Semi-processed peanut butter sold wholesale drives most revenue, however diversification into by-products such as animal feed and briquettes could prove profitable. Arusha Women Entrepreneur has significantly increased the incomes of unemployed women from peri-urban Arusha and smallholder peanut farmers from Nzega Simbo.

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Arusha Women Entrepreneur has significantly increased the incomes of unemployed women from peri-urban Arusha and smallholder peanut farmers from Nzega Simbo. It has guaranteed future sales from 200 peanut growers, securing the livelihoods and welfare of peanut farmers.
  • Training women in food safety management, processing, management and marketing.
  • Qualifying women for the job market outside the enterprise.
  • Empowering women by improving their economic independence. 
  • Training over 1,000 smallholder farmers on food security, climate change, good agricultural practices and aflatoxin management.
  • Promoting sustainable land use.
  • Reducing GHG by producing briquettes as cooking fuel.
  • Securing the incomes of 200 peanut farmers, their families and those of their employees with supply orders.
  • Hosting forums to educate communities about the value of the peanut industry and associated benefits.

Partners

Arusha Women Entrepreneurs is an enterprise training and employing women in the production and marketing of aflatoxin-free peanut butter. Smallholder farmers supply the peanuts which are processed into peanut butter and sold in bulk to a large wholesaler as well as to supermarkets and kiosks, and through door-to-door sales. Gender quotas ensure women are able to hold leadership positions in the enterprise.

Arusha Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) produces and markets natural peanut butter and by-products, creating benefits for unemployed women and smallholder farmers in its value chain.

Enablis Tanzania Chapter is a non-profit organisation providing workshops and mentoring on business management and marketing.

Nelson Mandela Africa Science and Technology provides capacity building on business management, as well as expert advice on product development, food quality and safety.

World Vision Nzega Cluster is a non-profit organisation that helps to source smallholder peanut farmers. It also provides training assistance for nut growers on climate change.

Darsh Industries processes and markets fruits and vegetable products with country-wide outlets contributes as a marketing partner.