From $320 to $1,120: How Stawi is Tripling Rural Incomes

When we started Stawi, we set an ambitious internal target: help farmers double their income within three years. Four years later, we’re dramatically exceeding that goal. Average income among farmers in our programs for two or more years has increased by 250%—from around $320/year to $1,120/year.

This article breaks down how we achieve these results and what it means for farming families.

The Income Transformation

Let’s look at the typical journey of a Stawi farmer:

Year 0: Before Stawi

Average Income: $320/year A typical smallholder in our target areas earns from:

• Subsistence crops (maize, cassava): $150
• Cash crops (if any): $100
• Casual labor: $70

This income fluctuates dramatically with weather and markets. Food security is uncertain. Children’s education is precarious.

Year 1: Getting Started

Average Income: $450/year First-year Stawi farmers typically see modest gains:

• Existing crops: $150 (unchanged)
• First honey harvest (6+ months): $200
• Cash crops: $100

Beekeeping provides the quickest returns. Cashew trees are planted but not yet producing. Training begins to improve existing crop yields.

Year 2: Building Momentum

Average Income: $720/year By year two, the system starts to click:

• Improved existing crops: $200 (training effects)
• Honey (full two harvests): $350
• Some farmers: early cashew production
• Cash crops: $170

Farmers reinvest earnings into expanding hives and improving infrastructure. Confidence grows.

Year 3+: Full Production

Average Income: $1,120/year Mature program participants earn from:

• Cashew sales: $500-700
• Honey sales: $300-400
• Other crops: $200
• Pollination benefits boost all yields

Top performers earn significantly more—$2,000+ isn’t uncommon for farmers with larger landholdings and 200+ trees.

Breaking Down the Math

Let’s make this concrete with a case study:

Farmer Profile: Mama Halima, Mtwara Region

Note that Halima now does less off-farm labor—she’s busy managing her own productive enterprise.

The Keys to Income Transformation

Several factors drive these results:

1. High-Value Crops

Cashews and honey command premium prices in both local and export markets. We’re not just helping farmers grow more—we’re helping them grow more valuable products.

2. Guaranteed Markets

Uncertainty about selling produce discourages investment. By guaranteeing purchase of all production at pre-agreed prices, farmers can plan and invest with confidence.

3. Quality Premiums

Our training emphasizes quality, and our grading system rewards it. Farmers earning Grade A prices earn 20-30% more than those producing Grade C.

4. Synergy Effects

As we’ve shown in previous research, integrating beekeeping with cashew farming multiplies yields beyond what either would achieve alone.

5. Reduced Input Costs

We provide seedlings and hives at no upfront cost. Cooperative purchasing reduces transport and marketing expenses. Organic techniques reduce need for expensive inputs.

Beyond Income: Quality of Life

Higher income enables transformative changes:

Education: School enrollment among farmer children increased from 62% to 89%. Secondary school attendance, previously rare, is becoming common.

Health: Farmer families access healthcare more readily. Nutrition improves. Child stunting rates are declining.

Housing: Many farmers have upgraded from grass huts to brick homes with metal roofing.

Savings: Average savings rates increased from 3% to 18% of income. Farmers build financial cushions for emergencies and future investment.

Agency: Women farmers, in particular, report increased decision-making power within their households.

What’s Next?

While $1,120 represents a life-changing improvement, we’re not satisfied. Our targets for the coming years:

We’ll achieve this through:

• Continued scaling of hectares under cultivation
• Value-added processing (roasted nuts, specialty honey)
• Introduction of additional high-value crops
• Financial services enabling farmer investment
• Market development for premium products

The Ripple Effect

Perhaps most exciting: income increases don’t stop with Stawi farmers. As farmer families prosper, they:

• Hire local labor
• Purchase from local shops
• Pay school fees to local schools
• Build using local tradespeople

Our back-of-envelope estimates suggest every $1 of farmer income increase generates $2-3 of additional local economic activity.

Join Us

Whether as farmers, partners, or investors, there’s a role for everyone in this income revolution.

Explore Partnership Opportunities | View Full Impact Data

Mary Kimathi is Chief Operations Officer at Stawi, overseeing farmer enrollment, field operations, and supply chain management.