Over the course of five years, from 2019 to 2023, SJS Organic Farm Center for Excellence, under the leadership of Fr. Alwyn Michael Joseph D'Souza and with the support of Mr. Augustine Hosea, conducted transformative Basic Ecological Organic Agriculture & Rural Technology Training. This residential program, spanning a minimum of 30 hours, aimed to empower individuals in organic farming and rural technology. To assess the impact of the training, a comprehensive field visit took place from 6th July to 19th August 2023, covering five regions of Tanzania, including Mbeya, Dodoma, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Singida, and Songwe.

During this extensive visit, the team engaged with 54 farmers, trainers, entrepreneurs, youth, women, agriculture officers, and organization heads across 10 districts. They held discussions with various organizations, such as IDP, RECORDA, and the Nelson Mandela University, as well as experts from GIZ and Bio Sustain Organic Cotton Company. These interactions underscored the significance of the training in fostering sustainable agriculture, creating entrepreneurial opportunities, and strengthening rural communities.

Mr. Hussain is a Tanzanian Police Officer, presently designated as the Prison Farm Manager in Arusha Main Prison, whose remarkable journey has become a true success story for SJS Organic Farm. In 2021, Mr. Hussain participated in an EOA (Ecological Organic Agriculture) training program held at SJS Organic Farm, where he discovered a profound passion for studying Effective Microorganisms (EM) technology. Motivated by his newfound interest, he decided to enroll in a Masters Degree course at Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha in 2023, focusing on this fascinating field.

Ever since Mr. Hussain attended the SJS Organic Farm EOA training program; he has been dedicated to implementing organic farming practices in his sprawling seventy five acres of lush green, healthy, poison free horticulture garden and to train hundreds of prison inmates in organic farming technology. A very consoling aspect is those who are released after the Jail term are now integrated in the society by engaging in organic agriculture in their villages thus gainfully self employed and they consult Mr. Husain time and again and he helps them with the Effective Microorganisms to their fields, which is an inoculant but for the village people it has become a “booster” for the plants and animals. His commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly methods has not only transformed his own approach but also inspired those around him. With his expertise in Indigenous Microorganisms and his unwavering determination, Mr. Hussain has become an invaluable asset to the SJS Organic Farm, driving its success and setting an inspiring example for others in the field.

The Glen Farm, shop in Arusha, specializes in offering organic produce cultivated and harvested directly from Mr. Glen's own farm. Through his participation in a training program in the year 2021 at SJS Organic Farm. Mr. Glen has gained invaluable knowledge that he now applies to enhance the quality of his produce.

Drawing from the expertise he acquired at SJS Organic Farm, Mr. Glen has successfully implemented sustainable farming practices on his five acres of Organic Farm, utilizing Indigenous Microorganisms as well as complete organic inputs and organic pest management systems. This has not only improved the overall quality of his produce but also established his reputation as a trusted supplier of organic goods to various schools in Arusha as well as to the people who visit his organic shop. By incorporating the organic principles and techniques he learned during the training program, Mr. Glen has ensured that his customers receive the finest organic products available. His dedication to organic farming has made him a respected figure in the industry and serves as an inspiration to others pursuing sustainable agricultural practices.

Mr Glen Shop is situated in Arusha 133 km about 3 hrs drive from SJS. Mr Glen learnt about SJS organic Farm through Nane Nane Agricultural Show in Arusha, he then took an initiative to come and learn by himself organic practices at SJS Organic Farm - Center for Excellence.

Innocent Makula and Elisha, the CEOs of Inoel Poultry Farm in Mbeya, founded their company in 2021 after attending a one-week training program at SJS Organic Farm through the KIBOWAVI project. This initiative, supported by Halvetas Tanzania, focuses on improving agricultural practices for women and youth. Inspired by the training, Innocent ventured into organic farming and established Inoel Poultry Farm, which specializes in producing organic manure, animal feed, and providing agri-clinic services to educate small-scale farmers.

Starting with just 24 rabbits and 20 chickens, they quickly grew their business, selling over 250 rabbits and 3,000 chicks in their first year. They also produce 50 liters of rabbit urine per month, used as an organic fertilizer. With financial support from the KIBOWAVI Project, they expanded operations by investing in machines and transitioning to organic feed production, reducing costs and increasing profit margins. Inoel Poultry Farm's competitive pricing and commitment to organic farming have helped it become a trusted brand for over 300 farmers in 12 farmer groups. Innocent's success story highlights the transformative power of the SJS Organic Farm training, which has enabled him to support his community with sustainable, organic farming practices.

Jofrey Yohana Mbuna is a young farmer who attended a one-week "Basic Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA)" training program at SJS Organic Farm in 2022. Jofrey hails from Igawa, Mbeya Region, in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. He and his group traveled approximately 945.79 km from Mbeya to Kwanyange, Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region, in Northern Tanzania, to attend the SJS EOA Farm training program through the Kibowavi project, which is under Helvetas Tanzania. Jofrey is now the CEO of JAB Enterprises and is a living testimony that, with just one week of intense Skill training at SJS Organic Farm, his views on farming have changed significantly with the help of the KIBOWAVI project under HELVETAS. He was able to spark economic development in the area by starting a micro-industry that supplies organic farm inputs to farmers in the region and beyond. The KIBOWAVI project has helped him procure necessary machinery to process organic materials and convert them into farm inputs, which are then packaged and sold to farmers. According to records, Jofrey has been able to supply organic farm inputs in large quantities. As an LSP (Local Services Provider) and a passionate teacher by profession, Jofrey has been able to train farmers in organic agriculture practices using various methods he learned at SJS Organic Farm. We wish economic development and success to Jofery and his team of farmers.

In 2021, Mainara Gideon Kalinga from Mbozi, Songwe Region, embarked on a transformative journey to SJS Organic Farm under the KIBOWAVI program, supported by Helvetas Tanzania. After completing a one-week training, she founded "Shambani Agriservices Foundation," an Agrovet business specializing in organic farm inputs like neem seeds, compost, and rabbit urine. Mainara’s innovative approach, inspired by SJS training, has allowed her to establish a successful business and become a trusted provider of organic products in her community.

Beyond her personal success, Mainara serves as a Local Service Provider (LSP) for 15 local farmer groups, impacting over 300 families by promoting organic farming practices. Her work has empowered her family, including her mother, who transitioned to organic coffee farming, and fostered sustainable agriculture in Mbozi. Mainara's dedication to organic farming, coupled with continued guidance from the KIBOWAVI project, has made her an inspirational figure in her community, driving sustainable change.

In 2021, Andimile Tende from Rungwe, Southern Highlands of Tanzania, attended a one-week Basic Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) training at SJS Organic Farm under the Kibowavi project. Initially discouraged by his wife, Mpe, who was skeptical of organic farming, her perspective changed after witnessing the impressive results on their farm. Together, they now fully embrace organic agriculture, involving their entire family. Andimile has innovatively turned avocado waste into compost, using fruit stones mixed with forest mud and cow dung to enrich their soil and boost crop yields without relying on chemical fertilizers.

Andimile’s success has inspired his community, as his organic produce has become popular for its quality and health benefits. He plans to further impact local farmers by setting up a demonstration plot and classroom on his farm, where others can learn the principles and practices of organic farming. His vision is to create a hub for sustainable agriculture, ensuring future generations benefit from healthy, chemical-free farming practices.

Fr. Alwyn, Director of SJS Organic Farm, recently interviewed Mr. Emmanuel, Assistant Headmaster of Msandaka School for the Deaf and Dumb in Moshi, to discuss the impact of the 2022 Basic Organic Agriculture training he and two other teachers attended. The school, which serves children with disabilities, implemented a One Acre Organic Farm project, allowing students to actively participate in cultivating vegetables and horticultural crops. The project has enhanced the school's self-sustainability, providing organic vegetables for their consumption and selling the surplus locally, generating income while empowering students with valuable skills.

Mr. Emmanuel highlighted the enthusiasm of the students, who have embraced organic farming both at school and in their home gardens. Despite the success, challenges remain, particularly the labor-intensive preparation of organic inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, which are not readily available. Fr. Alwyn suggested exploring micro-industries to produce organic inputs, further promoting sustainable practices in the community. The success of Msandaka School demonstrates the potential of organic farming to empower individuals with disabilities and contribute to sustainable agriculture in Tanzania.