Given the vital role of rice in national and regional economic transformation, Tanzania is currently implementing the second phase of its National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS II), a 10-year program aimed at transforming the rice sector into a key driver of economic growth. This strategy focuses on utilizing untapped land and water resources while ensuring sustainability and creating a conducive policy environment. With the country’s population growing rapidly, particularly in urban areas where rice consumption is on the rise, the need for increased rice production is more urgent than ever. The challenges of declining land resources and climate change further underscore the necessity for innovative approaches to enhance resilience and mitigate climate change impacts.
In response, Tanzania is collaborating with local and international partners to design and implement a range of interventions, including policy reforms, resource investment, and the commercialization of the rice sector. These efforts are intended to reduce the need for imports and capitalize on growing trade opportunities within Africa and beyond.
In August 2024 , The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), concluded a weeklong training program aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural mechanization in Tanzania. The training, which took place in Morogoro, brought together over 50 participants, including researchers, agricultural extension officers, policymakers, machinery maintenance technicians, and small to medium-scale rice farmers. It is part of the “Capacity Development and Experience Sharing for Rice Value Chains through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)” project, which seeks to enhance the efficiency and productivity of rice farming in Tanzania through the adoption of modern and sustainable agricultural practices. Funded by MAFRA, the SSTC project supports the second phase of the National Rice Development Strategy which focuses on sustainable rice production and strengthening the institutional capacity of government bodies in Côte d’Ivoire, the Philippines and Tanzania.
In addition to the training, representatives from MAFRA and the Korean Rural Community Corporation (KRC), Mr. Min Yong Choi, donated essential agricultural equipment to TARI, including seed drillers, motorized paddy weeders, and drawn land levelers. This equipment will play a crucial role in modernizing rice cultivation and boosting productivity. Additional equipment, such as paddy transplanters, motorized paddy weeders, two-wheel tractors, rice threshers, backpack weeder machines, and push-pull weeder rollers, will be procured and distributed to TARI as part of the ongoing project. The total value of the equipment, including future procurements, is estimated at $65,000.
FAO and its partners remain committed to supporting Tanzania’s agricultural sector through innovative projects and strategic partnerships. The SSTC project exemplifies this commitment, fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building to drive sustainable agricultural development.
