Every year, close to 800,000 to 1,000,000 young people enter the labour market in Tanzania, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 2015. Yet the economy generates only about 250,000 jobs annually, and of these, just 50,000 to 60,000 are in the formal sector, as reported by Research on Poverty Alleviation and the Effective Development Cooperation platform. This leaves the majority of young people to carve out livelihoods in farming, small businesses, or informal work.
Agriculture remains Tanzania’s backbone, providing livelihoods for more than 65% of the population, according to the World Bank.
In Morogoro Region, the challenge for youth to find employment is particularly acute. The National Bureau of Statistics notes that 71% of residents in the region live in rural areas, where most depend on subsistence farming. The region’s population has also grown to more than 3.19 million people, according to the 2022 national census. For many young women and men, limited access to relevant training and startup capital means that farming is a matter of survival, not opportunity.
The Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) project envisions a different future : one where young people can turn agriculture into a source of opportunity and income. Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania, and implemented by Swisscontact in collaboration with local partners, SET is working to close this gap and unlock the potential of Tanzanian youth.
The Youth Farmer festival brought together more than 500 youth from Gairo District – including graduates of SET’s non-formal vocational training in agriculture and related sub-sectors and other community members in Gairo. They came not just to showcase their products but to tell their stories.
One of them was Christina, a 22-year-old horticulture farmer.
From poultry rearing to food processing and goat keeping, the exhibits reflected a shift in mindset: agriculture as enterprise, not burden.
The event was co-organised by Swisscontact, the Government of Tanzania, and training providers partners Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), NEXIS Africa, and CRESD. Local Government Authorities joined in, with Gairo District Commissioner Jabir Makame as Guest of Honour.
His words underscored a broader truth: systemic change requires not just training, but partnership and political will.
The young entrepreneurs shared how SET’s practical training model - linking classroom instruction with hands-on practice - helped them overcome barriers such as lack of mentorship and startup knowledge.
The project targets youth aged 15–24 and especially young mothers, many of whom are out of school and with minimal to no income. By tailoring training to market demands, the project ensures that learning translates into income.
The SET festival was not an isolated celebration. Graduates will continue showcasing their innovations at the Nane Nane Agricultural Fair in Morogoro, the National NGO Forums, and later this year at Tanzania’s National Youth Week. These platforms are crucial - they amplify youth voices, link them to networks, and demonstrate that with the right support, agriculture can be a dignified career choice.
As the day closed, a group of young farmers gathered around their stall, trading tips, and sharing experience on how to run business. What began as training had grown into a community.
For them, the festival was not just about selling produce. It was about being seen - by government, by their communities, and by themselves - as capable entrepreneurs.
The message was clear: investing in youth skills is not charity; it is cultivating the backbone of Tanzania’s future.
The SET project empowers out-of-school youth and young mothers across Tanzania in Morogoro and Iringa with market-relevant skills and entrepreneurship training, particularly in the agriculture sector. In the last three years, SET has trained more than 9000 youth, 76% are female.
This project is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania. It is implemented by Swisscontact.