Following several internships with nei, I took on the role of field agronomist in 2017. By 2021, with 4 years of on-the-ground experience, I’d been promoted to senior agronomist. Ready for new challenges, I took on the role of Kagera Branch Lead in our Supply Chain Department in 2022. I now supervise 6 agronomists, as well as working with our processing and curing partners. Not to mention being the link with the Tanzanian government. It’s important to make sure we’re all on the same page.

This new role takes me beyond the day-to-day challenges facing our partner farmers to think about the bigger picture and make changes that can have a positive impact at a regional level – from carrying out inspections to training new agronomists and setting out recommendations with local authorities. Every day and region is different. I’m always on the move and we constantly adapt our approach to different climates, cultures and changing regulations.

The biggest challenge? It can be difficult to manage farmer expectations, especially when faced with big price fluctuations. We try to help them become more resilient and independent with a long-term approach, for example, by learning how to store vanilla that can’t be sold immediately.