For Morgan Yiskaka, the future once felt uncertain. “I didn’t get the chance to continue my education,” he says quietly. “I tried farming, but I didn’t have the skills — the harvests were poor, and I was ready to give up.”
That turning point came when Hezron Kalolo, a representative from TIJA Tanzania, introduced him to the YEFFA program. For the first time, Morgan saw agriculture not just as survival — but as a scalable, sustainable business with the power to transform lives.
Through program support, Morgan received training in enterprise development, youth engagement, and input systems. He used that knowledge to set up a demonstration farm — not only to improve his yields, but to inspire others like him.
“Attracting young people wasn’t easy,” he admits. “But I wanted to show them that farming could be more than just hard labor — it could be a business, a career, and a way forward.”
Morgan’s farm became a learning platform for out-of-school youth — a practical alternative to formal education that gave young people skills, purpose, and the chance to earn. He has now worked with over 3,500 farmers, helped 200 formerly unemployed youth find work in agriculture, and trained six additional Village-Based Advisors (VBAs) to replicate the model.
To sustain and grow his impact, Morgan forged linkages with seed companies through AGRA. He now coordinates input distribution, promoting high-value crops like the 719 hybrid maize variety, which can yield up to 50 sacks per harvest.
These partnerships not only deliver better returns for farmers — they also generate income for Morgan, who earns commissions of up to TZS 1.2 million (USD 445) per cycle. Morgan’s story is one of determination, community leadership, and a belief in second chances. From stalled beginnings, he has built a future — not just for himself, but for a new generation of agripreneurs in Tanzania.
