Tanzania is endowed with a variety of natural ecosystems that harbour a massive wealth of biodiversity, including 6 out of the 25 world-renowned biodiversity hotspots. It is home to more than a third of total plant species in Africa and about 20 percent of its large mammal population.

Agriculture is key to overall economic growth and development of Tanzania, providing about 67 percent of employment and accounting for about 29 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

The country’s biodiversity for food and agriculture is threatened by overexploitation due to population growth; pollution; increased use of chemical pesticides; and genetic erosion of both crop varieties and livestock breeds.

ACP MEAs actions

Where do we work?

The project covers six regions: Morogoro, Iringa, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya and Arusha.

Agrobiodiversity

• Review the process of the National Livestock Policy.
• Development of a Nutrition-Sensitive Livestock and Fisheries Action Plan for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MLF).
• Involvement of children from primary and secondary schools across the project sites on learning about tree nurseries establishment and tree management skills.
• Development of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) training manuals for extension workers and farmers.
• 36 fertility evaluations done on wards to outline the physical and chemical properties of the soils, aiming to find the most effective fertilizers for each type of soil.
• 53,000 of mangrove seedings were planted by community members. As a result, 5 hectares of degraded mangrove ecosystems along the Indian Ocean were restored. 
• Training of 120 livestock field officers from six project districts on the use of a mobile application and a digital platform to collect and report real-time animal disease data.

Highly hazardous pesticides

• 24 HHPs identified for removal from the national pesticide registration list.  69 non HHPs viable alternatives found.
• Training of 62 extension officers and lead farmers in pesticide risk reduction.

Farmer Field Schools

• Five-day FFS refresher-training course targeted 30 extension officers at district level.
• 147 farmers trained in two main topics: scale out ecosystem-based practices and System of Rice Intensification (SRI).
• Filed day visits: 210 farmers, including 41 FFS group members shared their experience with SRI.
• Participation on “Nane Nane”, a week-long national agricultural exhibition where more than 390 farmers learnt about SRI practice.

What’s to come?

• Soil health analysis on the different project.
• Establishment of FFS on beekeeping in six project districts.
• National/district workshops and exhibitions for farming communities to create links between farmers, organizations, government and private entities.
• Support project beneficiaries to participate in (Farmer’s Day – Nane Nane and World Food Day) for market linkages and spread of information.
• Inventories of traditional agroforestry systems.