Models of agroecology businesses in Northern Tanzania.

Strength and challenges co-learnt, and co-developed pathways for transitioning to full agroecology

Abstract

This study documents a participatory action research initiative aimed at supporting the transition of agroecology businesses in Northern Tanzania through agroecological models and tools. Through co-learning and co-creation workshops, business actors—including producers, processors, marketers, and restaurants - jointly developed three key tools: The Tanzania Agroecology Self-Assessment Tool, the Tanzania Agroecology Business Model, and the Tanzania Agroecology Business Assessment Tool, which were also triangulated among a team of technical staff of partner organizations. To differ from other internationally known tools like the FAO’s TAPE, these models and tools are customizable to different ecological areas to take care of variation in ecology specific indicators. These tools were used to assess 18 agroecology businesses, revealing strong alignment with agroecological principles in areas such as inclusivity that incorporates women and the youth, governance, and resilience.  These and other agroecological principles showed the transformative potential of agroecology businesses to break the cycles of inequality and environmental degradation, while building sustainable food systems and just land governance.  However, gaps were identified in financial support, technological integration, and policy engagement. Restaurants showed the highest overall performance, followed by producers, marketers and processors respectively. The findings highlight both the strengths and challenges of agroecological businesses and propose strategic pathways for transitioning to sustainable food systems through agroecology.