By Beatrice Msafiri, Sylvia Kalemera, Ester Jimmy, Edith Kadege and Jean Claude Rubyogo
Beatrice Msafiri embodies the saying, “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.” As a single mother of two and the Managing Director of BIVAC (T) Company Ltd, a grain trader and processing company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Beatrice’s journey is one of resilience and determination.
Early Challenges
In 2012, faced with the challenge of raising two young sons on her own, she struggled to provide them with a balanced diet. When her boys were diagnosed with nutritional deficiencies, the doctor prescribed a protein-rich formula. To her immense relief, within just two weeks, their health had dramatically improved-a turning point that would inspire Beatrice’s future endeavours. Inspired by their recovery, Beatrice began processing protein-rich flour and sharing it freely with friends and family. The results were extraordinary, and by 2013, demand for her homemade nutritious flour grew rapidly. Recognizing a business opportunity, she transformed her personal challenges into a mission to help others.
Building BIVAC
In 2018, she learned that the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI Selian) was seeking entrepreneurs for training in processing High Iron and Zinc beans. Seizing the chance, Beatrice registered for the program.
After the training, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) provided her with 20 kg of JESCA bean varieties, which she processed into bean porridge flour, blending it with biofortified vitamin A maize. Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT/PABRA also connected Beatrice with farmer groups trained by TARI in Iron and Zinc beans grain production. These groups had been introduced to the new biofortified TARI BEAN 6 variety, enabling Beatrice to source high-quality beans for her products while supporting farmers.
Today, BIVAC collaborates with 22,000 farmers, 70% of whom are women, predominantly from Manyara region. BIVAC’s primary products, made from High Iron Beans (HIB) and provitamin A maize, include snacks such as biscuits, buns, and porridge flour. These products target children, women, expectant mothers, and the elderly, addressing essential nutrition needs.
Iron and zinc are vital for immune function, cognitive development, and overall physical health, while provitamin A supports vision, skin health, and immune response. BIVAC’s reach has expanded, with products now available in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Katavi, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Mbeya, Mtwara, Mwanza, Singida and Tanga regions. BIVAC’s key clients include nursery schools (2), primary and secondary schools (10), supermarkets (14), and individual consumers. Her monthly sales, once a modest 20 kg, now have surged to 40 tons.
Beatrice conducting public campaigns and radio programs on biofortified beans.
Beyond business, Beatrice is a passionate advocate against malnutrition. She regularly conducts public campaigns and radio programs to educate families about the dangers of malnutrition and ways to combat it. This has also helped her expand her market reach. She also empowers farmers by building their capacity in Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) to boost productivity. Through this a total of 23,112 people (16,178 women) have been reached.
In Manyara, she supported 35 farmers, 19 of them women, to become Quality Declared Seed producers, who are currently supplying seed to her grain producer farmers. Additionally, she has supported a local woman extension officer in establishing an agro shop by loaning her 400 kg of bean seed, enabling her to generate a startup income from her harvest.
Policy Impact and Recognition
Beatrice’s influence has also extended to policy. She played a key role in advocating for the establishment of local certification standards for biofortified products in Tanzania, which the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) launched in July 2024. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, and she has received numerous awards from various organizations for her work in combating malnutrition. Beatrice also plays a key role in sensitizing schools about the health benefits of incorporating biofortified foods into school meals. She advocates for school feeding programs across the country, collaborating with the government and other development partners to highlight their importance. Her efforts focus on increasing the consumption of these nutritious foods among schoolchildren, which positively impacts academic performance, improves health, and reduces school dropouts and absenteeism.
Grateful for the support she has received from Bioversity & CIAT/PABRA, TARI, and other partners like GAIN, HarvestPlus, MEDA, AMDT, IITA, SNV and TFNC. Beatrice continues to grow her business, where recently she purchased a bakery machine, a flour mill, and six acres of land in Dodoma, where she plans to establish her company’s headquarters.
What began as a personal struggle has blossomed into a thriving business, creating jobs, improving nutrition, and empowering communities. The company provides direct employment to 7 (4 women) people on indirect employment, and to 5000 individuals who work as agricultural labours, transporters, loaders, and warehouse workers.
Beatrice at her shop in Arusha with some of the processed biofortified products
A Royal Visit and Global Recognition
Beatrice’s journey proves that no contribution is too small, and even the hardest challenges can be transformed into powerful opportunities for change.
Recently, Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, visited the BIVAC offices and was deeply moved by the remarkable work Beatrice has achieved in improving nutrition for families and empowering women. The Duchess commended Beatrice for her dedication to combating malnutrition through innovative food products and for uplifting local communities, particularly women farmers.
Beatrice (L) with Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh (R) at BIVAC Company in Arusha.
Her visit highlighted the far-reaching impact of Beatrice’s efforts, demonstrating how one woman’s vision can transform lives and inspire change on a larger scale. The recognition from such a distinguished figure further affirms Beatrice’s significant contribution to the fight against malnutrition. Her Royal Highness has graciously pledged to connect her with a number of influential individuals who may be able to provide valuable support.
Beatrice’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and vision. To support similar efforts and learn more about biofortified foods, visit BIVAC or follow Beatrice’s work on social media. Together, we can continue the fight against malnutrition and empower more women farmers across Tanzania.