Mary Ntarishwa Mkongo

My name is Mary Ntarishwa Mkongo, a second-year student at Sokoine University of Agriculture and currently a Long-term Exchange Student at Nodai University of Agriculture. I have participated in the Tenkai Online Course in 2022 and am currently enrolled in the Long-term Exchange Program (2024–2025). The Tenkai Online Program made me more conscious of nutritional information and its effects on daily activities. Since completing the course, I’ve　become more mindful of my diet and meal portions. Additionally, studying Japanese agricultural practices, especially in rice and vegetable production, helped me apply new techniques to increase production at my household farm in 2023.

The photo shows tomatoes I grew after the Tenkai Program, where my father and I learned nursery establishment, pruning, and tomato staking—skills inspired by Japanese farm practices. Looking forward, I plan to pursue a master’s in plant breeding for resistance and aim to transform African agriculture, drawing from Japan’s efficient small-scale farming practices and community impact.