Maziwa Hub will connect Tanzania’s dairy players with markets

The platform was developed and coordinated by the Tanzania Milk Processors Association, known as Tampa. It is intended to improve access to markets while helping users track milk production and quality.

Maziwa Hub will also provide links to veterinary services, training, financing and other technical assistance. Tampa secretary-general Florence Ngoma said the platform was designed to simplify transactions and improve access to dependable market information.

Ms Ngoma said some farmers had lacked reliable outlets for their milk, while processors had found it difficult to secure adequate supplies at agreed prices and volumes. Farmers will be able to view information on buyers and markets, and processors will be able to locate areas where milk is available and arrange transactions through the system.

The platform will allow financial institutions and suppliers of equipment, technology and other dairy products to promote their services to potential customers. It will also enable processors to present their own products so that customers can identify and contact them.

Dairy stakeholder Jackline Ngasa said the service would reduce the need for farmers and processors to use several channels when looking for business partners. She added that processors would be able to connect with technology suppliers in Tanzania and abroad without travelling to search for equipment.

The initiative forms part of a five-year project that began in 2022 to strengthen food and agriculture industry organisations through digital tools. Beyond Farming Collective project manager Grace Mhina said the project is financed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is being carried out in Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia. Tampa said Maziwa Hub was being tested and would be launched officially soon.