How the TUI Field to Fork Tanzania Initiative Is Shaping a Better Future for Rural Women by Combating Poverty and Climate Change Through Agriculture and Tourism in Regions Like Simiyu and Kilimanjaro: You Need To Know – Travel And Tour World

The TUI Field to Fork Tanzania Project is building a better future for rural women by relieving poverty and mitigating climate change through sustainable farming and tourism. The initiative is training women in regions which include Simiyu and Kilimanjaro in regenerative farming, financial management and climate resilience among others. By targeting gender equality and economic growth the project is providing women in rural areas with the chance to improve their own lives, make a difference in their communities, and develop a more sustainable future for themselves and for future generations.

Although the Serengeti ecosystem attracts nearly a million tourists annually, more than half of the surrounding rural population lives below the extreme poverty threshold of $2.15 per day. In areas like Simiyu and Kilimanjaro, local communities grapple with significant challenges such as soil degradation, the impacts of climate change, and wildlife-induced crop destruction. These difficulties disproportionately affect women, who often face limited access to education, resources, and reliable sources of income.

The TUI Field to Fork Tanzania initiative seeks to address these challenges by empowering women through sustainable agriculture and tourism. The project focuses on gender equality, environmental conservation, and economic development, aiming to improve the livelihoods of marginalized women and their surrounding communities.

Empowering Women in the Simiyu Region

In Simiyu, many families depend on smallholder farming for their livelihoods. However, droughts exacerbated by climate change are severely affecting crop yields, driving down income levels, and threatening the sustainability of these farming practices. To tackle this, Hand in Hand International has spearheaded efforts to transform local economies by training 2,700 entrepreneurs in 16 villages. Notably, 80% of these entrepreneurs are women, making the program a vital force in promoting gender equality.

Over a twelve-month period, entrepreneurs enrolled in the program receive comprehensive training in regenerative farming, climate resilience, and key business skills, including enterprise development and financial management. As a result, the initiative supports the creation or expansion of 1,890 microenterprises, leading to the generation of approximately 2,475 new jobs within the region.

A central focus of the program is the development of high-potential value chains such as sunflower processing, beekeeping, and poultry farming. Additionally, the initiative encourages the formation of self-help groups, which foster peer learning, savings, and collective marketing efforts. These groups provide women with better access to credit, avenues for knowledge exchange, and a platform for building sustainable businesses. By unlocking financial resources and broadening market access, the project aims to increase incomes by more than 80%, enhance climate resilience, and ignite widespread economic growth across the region.

Climate-Resilient Farming and Community Empowerment in Kilimanjaro

In the Kilimanjaro region, Equality in Tourism is partnering with the Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Community Organization (KWIECO) to empower women-led farming groups. This collaboration aims to foster economic diversification and alleviate poverty by connecting local women farmers with the hospitality sector. The initiative enables women to create sustainable enterprises that supply locally grown produce to hotels and tour operators, offering a direct link between agricultural and tourism industries.

The project will also establish a demonstration farm led by women, featuring a greenhouse, drip irrigation systems, and water tanks to combat the effects of drought and climate change. Women from marginalized communities will receive hands-on training in climate-resilient farming techniques. This will not only provide them with the tools to adapt to changing environmental conditions but also ensure they can continue to grow food in a more sustainable manner.

A unique feature of the project is the creation of an immersive “field to fork” tourism experience. Located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, this experience will allow visitors to explore Tanzanian agricultural traditions and engage with the local community. Through farm tours, guests will gain an authentic insight into the agricultural practices that support local livelihoods, providing a meaningful connection between travelers and rural communities.

Expanding Market Opportunities through Tourism

Part of the TUI Field to Fork program, this initiative is designed to create sustainable food production by establishing links between local communities and the tourism sector. The project not only helps improve incomes in rural areas but also promotes sustainable tourism practices that benefit local farmers. By fostering long-term partnerships between women farmers and tourism stakeholders, the project aims to create a resilient, diversified local economy.

The TUI Field to Fork program is active in several global destinations, including Greece, Cape Verde, Colombia, Portugal, and Cyprus, all of which have seen significant improvements in income opportunities for rural communities. By using tourism as a tool for economic growth, this initiative helps empower marginalized populations, particularly women, and ensures that tourism can have a positive, lasting impact on the communities it touches.

The TUI Field to Fork Tanzania Initiative is shaping a better future for rural women by combating poverty and climate change through sustainable agriculture and tourism, empowering them with skills to improve their livelihoods and contribute to their communities.

Despite the challenges of climate change and poverty, there are projects – such as the TUI Field to Fork Tanzania initiative – which are helping rural communities in areas such as Simiyu and Kilimanjaro gain access to the tools and knowhow needed to make the environment their friend. Through the promotion of sustainable agriculture, economic empowerment of women as well as linkage between rural farmers and the tourism industry, the project is setting the stage for a brighter and more resilient future to all.

The collaboration between local communities, women entrepreneurs and the tourism sector is a model of the future in terms of inclusive, sustainable development. Given continued backing this project is set to make a revolutionary impact throughout Tanzania, not just for women but local inhabitants and the environment.