Harvest of Hope: How One Seed is Changing Lives in Tanzania

February 3, 2026

In Jeje Village, in Tanzania’s Itigi District, most families depend on farming to get by. But with frequent droughts leading to poor harvests, putting enough nutritious food on the table isn’t always easy.

For Hunge Shija and his wife, Yunge Mwandu, this struggle was part of everyday life. With 13 children to care for, they often worried about whether the food they grew would be enough. The traditional seeds they planted didn’t do well in the tough climate, and many seasons ended with disappointing harvests. Hunger was never far from their door.

As frequent droughts grip Tanzania’s Itigi District, traditional farming practices falter, forcing farmers to cope with failing crops and water shortages.

Things started to change when Yunge joined the Superwomen Savings Group through the Gender Equitable Nutrition in Tanzania and Uganda (GENTU) Project.

The GENTU Project, led by Action Against Hunger and SEMA, with support from the Government of Tanzania and funding from Global Affairs Canada, is helping families, particularly women and students, learn climate-smart ways to farm. The aim is to help households grow more food, improve nutrition, and cope better with extreme weather.

In Jeje Village, the Superwomen Savings Group supports its members with bio-fortified, drought-resistant maize. These improved seeds are designed to survive harsh conditions and provide better nutrition for young children. Along with the seeds, families receive practical training on how to grow the maize successfully and use it to prepare healthier meals at home.

Through GENTU, families receive climate-resilient seeds, like maize, along with training on eco-friendly farming methods that work during the dry season, like composting and water conservation.

Yunge noticed the difference in her children right away.

“They loved the food,” she says with a smile. “We saw a real change in our meals. We had more food on the table and our nutrition improved, especially for the little ones.”

For Hunge, the results were astonishing. “From just a quarter acre, we harvested 240 kilograms of maize—more than we ever dreamed possible. This seed is a blessing,” he says proudly.

Yunge and Hunge admire their bountiful crops.

The Shijas are not alone. Across Jeje Village, members of the Superwomen Savings Group are planting the new maize, sharing what they’ve learned, and encouraging one another to try better farming and nutrition practices. What started with a few seeds has grown into something much bigger—a shared effort to build a healthier, more secure future.

This isn’t just a story about maize.
It’s a story about hope, health, and new opportunities.

Thanks to the GENTU Project, families across the Itigi District are now seeing positive changes: better nutrition for young children, more reliable access to food even during droughts, and stronger communities built on shared knowledge and support.

Families in Jeje Village are no longer just getting by—they’re moving forward with confidence.

Gender Equitable Nutrition in Tanzania and Uganda (GENTU)
The GENTU Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and led by Action Against Hunger, is a five-year initiative (2023–2028) that takes a gender-transformative approach to improve nutrition for women, adolescent girls, and children. By addressing harmful social norms, empowering women and girls, and engaging men and community leaders, GENTU is helping families break the cycle of hunger for good. Learn more.