Benedict Henry Ngayakamo is a smallholder rice and vegetable farmer from Mwanzugi village, Igunga District in the Tabora Region of Tanzania. In the past, Benedict relied heavily on chemical fertilizers that were both expensive and bad for his soil’s fertility. “We used to think chemical fertilizers were the only solution,” Benedict recalls. “But each season, the harvest was less and the soil got weaker.”
Struggling with inconsistent yields, high production costs and declining soil health, Benedict needed a new approach. In 2024, he experienced one of the benefits of MEDA’s Feminist Entrepreneurs Growing Green Economies (FEGGE) project, which trains farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). In a series of sessions alongside NovFeed, he began to focus on soil management, seed selection, pest control and sustainable fertilization.
MEDA was an early supporter of NovFeed, believing in founder Diana Orembe’s vision of zero-waste agricultural systems in Tanzania. One of their innovations is Ecovita—NovFeed’s locally-produced organic soil enhancer made from decomposed vegetable and crop wastes. For Benedict, this new climate-smart biofertilizer would prove to be life-changing.
Beautiful, Bountiful Yields
Motivated by curiosity, Benedict decided to test Ecovita on his vegetable garden, starting with cabbages. The results were remarkable. His cabbages grew larger, greener and healthier than before.
“Ecovita can be applied throughout the crop cycle—from planting to harvest. It makes farming easier because I don’t have to worry about burning plants or damaging the soil.”
— Benedict
After applying Ecovita, Benedict’s average price point for cabbages soared. He quadrupled his rate for the larger, healthier cabbages. With the additional earnings, Benedict was able to purchase a plot of land (kiwanja cha kujenga) and pay school fees for his children, achievements that once seemed out of reach.
Encouraged by his success, Benedict expanded his Ecovita application to his other crops. The visible difference in plant health and soil structure convinced him that sustainable farming was not only possible, it was profitable.
Beacon of Change
By adopting sustainable farming practices, Benedict improved soil fertility, boosted productivity and inspired at least 15 neighboring farmers to follow his lead.
One of those farmers is Pili, who grows amaranth and other crops nearby. She visited Benedict’s garden and was astonished by its vibrant green color and strong yields.
“When we asked what he was using, Benedict told us about Ecovita, made from vegetable waste. I tried it on my vegetable farm now my garden is greener than ever! You can tell the difference from other farms that have not yet applied the biofertilizer. Next season, I plan to use it on my rice and maize.” — Pili
The adoption rate continues to rise, with more farmers reporting improved yields, better soil conditions and reduced dependency on chemical inputs.
Benedict’s journey demonstrates how climate-smart innovations spread naturally through farmer-to-farmer learning. The success of Ecovita showcases the power of local innovation, private-sector partnerships and sustainable technologies in strengthening farmers’ climate resilience and livelihoods.
Through MEDA’s FEGGE Project innovation grant, NovFeed’s Ecovita biofertilizer continues to transform farming practices across Tanzania, turning waste into wealth and empowering farmers to build a greener, more resilient future.
