Sustainable Income and Livelihoods: Growing Together with Nature
At ECOWICE, we believe conservation and community prosperity go hand in hand. That's why we’ve partnered with over 1,000 rural farmers to promote sustainable income-generating practices rooted in both tradition and innovation, including sesame cultivation, mushroom farming, poultry farming, beekeeping, and artisan crafts.
These nature-aligned activities are not only environmentally friendly but also help households achieve food security and steady income, creating a lasting bridge between people and the landscapes they call home.
Market Support: Turning Crops into Opportunity
In many remote areas, poor infrastructure cuts off farmers from fair markets, forcing them to sell their produce at low prices to local middlemen. The frustration from this cycle has pushed some to abandon farming or resort to harmful alternatives for survival.
ECOWICE offers a better path.
We buy community-grown produce at fair and competitive prices, helping farmers realize the true value of their labor and restoring dignity to farming as a livelihood. By working together, we're reshaping local economies with resilience and purpose.
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ECOWICE buys commodities produced by the community at a fair price which helps them to gain additional income.
Value Addition: Elevating Local Crops with Pride
From the fields to the shelves, crops like sesame and honey are transported to our processing center in Morogoro Municipality, where they’re transformed into premium, high-quality products.
These goods are then sold in shops and supermarkets across Tanzania, helping farmers gain access to urban markets while celebrating the rich agricultural heritage of the region.
This process doesn’t just boost income, it adds value to traditional knowledge and fosters pride in what local communities produce.
SAVING AND LOANS
After generating income the community saves their income in their groups of savings and loans called, Community Conservation Bank (COCOBA).
COCOBA: Saving for Tomorrow, Together
Income alone isn't enough. True sustainability means having the tools to manage and grow it. That’s where Community Conservation Banks (COCOBA) come in.
Through COCOBA, farmers pool their savings, offer small loans, and build a safety net for the future, all while investing in environmentally responsible practices.
It’s more than banking. It’s a movement of empowered rural entrepreneurs using financial cooperation to protect nature and uplift each other.