ESFROMA Program Phase II (2024–2027)

The ESFROMA Program Phase II is implemented in Tanzania and Uganda with the aim of improving food security, income, climate resilience, and strengthening civil society for 20,000 small-scale farmer families. Funded by CISU through Organic Denmark, the program is led by TOAM in 12 villages of Chamwino District (Mainland Tanzania) and by UWAMWIMA across 10 districts in Unguja and Pemba (Zanzibar). The program empowers farming families by strengthening grassroots learning structures, expanding market access for organic products, and supporting community-led advocacy for sustainable and democratic rural development.

Areas of Focus / Key Outcomes:

1. Improved Household Food Security through Organic Climate-Resilient Practices

Farmer families, organized in Farmer Families Learning Groups (FFLGs), experience a 25% increase in food security. This outcome is achieved through the adoption of organic farming practices, climate adaptation strategies, and collaborative learning. FFLGs focus on on-farm, household-level training, making the learning practical, inclusive, and context-specific.

2. Strengthened Local Advocacy and Democratic Rural Institutions

FFLGs, Marketing Associations (MAs), and partners engage in advocacy for organic and climate-resilient food systems. These activities build local government support and empower communities to influence agricultural and environmental decisions. Partnerships are strengthened across local authorities, private sector, and civil society.

3. Market Access and Growth of Farmer-Owned Enterprises

The program supports 50 farmer-owned enterprises (FFLGs, cooperatives, MAs) to achieve a 30% increase in organic product sales. This is accomplished through value addition, branding, improved market linkages, and compliance with organic standards such as PGS and the Kilimohai Organic Mark. Gender equality and youth inclusion are cross-cutting priorities across FFLGs and other farmer organizations. ESFROMA Phase II offers a holistic, inclusive pathway to resilient rural livelihoods by combining organic agriculture with enterprise growth, grassroots advocacy, and decentralized knowledge sharing. The core methodology—the FFLG approach—empowers farmers through peer-to-peer learning, household-level experimentation, and collective innovation. This decentralized model ensures ownership and scalability, adapting to diverse community needs and challenges. In doing so, ESFROMA contributes not only to stronger household economies and food systems but also to the development of more democratic rural institutions and a vibrant organic movement throughout the region.