Budget:
$ 108,000

Background:
Employment is scarce in the South of Tanzania. Therefore many young people leave to the city to look for jobs that they most often don't find.

Near Mtwara, the conditions for raising cashew nuts are very good. The required knowledge for the project is also available. Mr. Mkamilo, who is taking the initiative for this project and serving as the project leader, works at an institute that researches cashew nuts. In cooperation with World Partners, a plan was developed to purchase 100 acres of land for raising cashew nuts.

• Business: Generating employment for young people and women in the area; growing and selling the very marketable cashew nut.

• Social: Use part of profits to support initiatives in the local community, such as schooling and an orphanage; provide the opportunity for small farmers to sell their harvests at a fair price; and improve the collective agricultural knowledge of the community.

• Ministry: Use employment practices to show that there is no selection in religion or race.

In October 2002, 73 acres of land were purchased, and in 2003, another 27 acres were purchased.

In the first phase of cultivation, 13 acres were prepared and planted. Currently, more than 73 acres have been planted.

The first nuts have been harvested already. However, the trees only give their full harvest after five years. Until this time, the plantation must be maintained. In 2005, 712 persons were employed for this, of whom the majority were non-Christians.

Besides cashews, cassava will also be grown, which gives a harvest after one year.

Staff has been appointed for the technical and administrative support of the project.

• PROFIT EXPECTATION
  

After the cultivation of the 100 acres over the planned 5 years, the profit expectation goes from $0 in 2008 to over $ 20,000 in 2015.