By offering an off-take deal to farmers, they were able to buy tractors and associated equipment alongside seeds, fertiliser and the provision of technical advice which they could not have afforded from their own savings. This was underpinned by TBL paying for the inputs up front and EFTA paying for the equipment. The farmers were then free to farm for six months until harvest without the constraint of debt looming over their heads. Once the harvests were gathered, TBL compensated the input providers, including EFTA. Several of the farmers registered record yields, demonstrating the success of the initiative.
Secondly, in a country habituated to development partner led activities, this was a rare example of private sector actors coming together because of the potential benefits involved. With TBL seeking to source as much local barley as possible, the record yields were a boon. Syngenta were happy to provide seeds and technical advice, Yara to provide fertiliser and John Deere equipment, all at affordable prices, since this offered an opportunity to showcase the benefits of their product in an expanding economy. And lastly EFTA were happy to participate for two reasons: the offtake opportunity offered a chance for farmers who would usually struggle with EFTA’s monthly repayment schedule to access the equipment they needed to increase their harvests; and the initiative also complied with EFTA’s ambitions to provide finance opportunities to Tanzania’s rural and agricultural communities, helping to provide jobs in the local community and modernise the country’s agricultural sector.