On 25 & 26 April 2014, Agri-Hub Tanzania members under the ‘smallholder access to finance group’ including SNV, TAHA, Fert, Trias, Hivos and TCCIA successfully organised an Agri-Finance Fair which exceeded our expectations for the fourth time.

The two days saw more than 600 agricultural value chain actors attending the vibrant fair at the famous World Vegetable Research Centre (AVRDC) in Arusha, Tanzania. The Fair was opened by the Arumeru District Commissioner Mr. Nyerembe Munasa Sabi accompanied by the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) Arusha Branch Manager and the Heads of the organisations that organised the fair.

Seminars
The organisers had recruited a total of 32 exhibitors including 5 banks, 5 financial institutions, 15 capacity builders, 5 input service providers, 1 umbrella SACCO and 1 Agribusiness service provider. Along with the exhibitions, a total of 4 seminars were provided to more than 200 farmers on how to write bankable business plans, the role of the Stock Exchange as a source for long term capital financing, proper management of credit funds and the role of savings and credit cooperatives in promoting financial security.

Business opportunities and new contacts
The lively Fair also featured three categories of awards to the participants, whereas, BRAC won the Best exhibitor award, Meru Community Bank won the Best financial product for agriculture award and USAWA SACCOS won the Best Financial Service Provider award. From the visitors feedback, there is no doubt that, the fair awarded farmers with business opportunities and enormous knowledge, up to date information on agri-finance and key contacts in the financial sector, which have altogether boosted the farmer’s and agribusiness owners financial literacy levels and has also exposed them to a better working environment. Next to that, exhibitors of the Fair declared that, the Fair has helped to profile them and create more visibility for their institutions and to some, it has given them insights to start new projects to support farmers.

Please visit the online platform of Agri-Hub Tanzania for a more detailed news article, pictures and videos from the 2014 Agri-Finance Fair: www.apf-tanzania.ning.com