Project launched to enhance food security
TANZANIA: THE SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in partnership with Farm Africa has officially launched NOURISH Tanzania project to empower smallholder farmers to enhance food security and climate resilience.
A five-years project (2024-2028) funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) is expect to reach 168,000 smallholder farmer households in five key regions of Tanzania, namely Sumbawanga, Songwe, Dodoma, Manyara and Singida regions.
The remark was made by the SNV Country Director, Michael Mcgrath at the launch of the project called ‘NOURISH Tanzania Project’ in Dodoma Region yesterday.
“We are expecting to reach 168,000 smallholder farmer households with climate-smart solutions: improving the availability, affordability and accessibility of productivity-enhancing products and services and connecting farmers to viable and strong markets,” he said.
Adding: “We will also support behaviuor change communication to improve nutrition outcomes, along with gender equity and social inclusion for households and communities.”
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He said Tanzania is one of the largest countries in Africa, and climate change is already impacting livelihoods, with smallholder farmers being especially vulnerable to its impacts, leading to a reduction of agricultural yields and food supplies, adding NOURISH will work to respond to the challenges and ensure a great agri-food future in Tanzania.
He further said NOURISH will work to promote strategic linkages for smallholder farmers with farmer extension services, seed multipliers, technology companies and other key actors to enhance the knowledge and update of climate-smart agriculture techniques and technologies.
“This aligns with the Government of Tanzania’s National Climate Change Response Strategy (2022-2026),” he added.
Adding: “SNV has over fifty (50) years of experience working in Tanzania. We take pride in the practical delivery of technical expertise and strategic partnerships across agri-food, energy and water sectors.”
He said SNV Tanzania is currently implementing seven projects in the fields of clean cooking, renewable energy, water supply systems, rural sanitation, climate smart agriculture and sustainable landscape management across more than 20 regions.
