The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, and the Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO), has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing climate change through climate-resilient agricultural initiatives.
This was the key focus of discussions at the Agriculture-Climate Nexus Workshop, where stakeholders explored partnerships to drive sustainable agriculture in Tanzania. At the workshop, AGRA signed a new partnership agreement with Norway to support Tanzania in accelerating the implementation of the 2025 Agricultural Transformation Master Plan (AMP).
The three-year initiative aims to enhance the coordination and commercialization of smallholder agriculture to promote inclusive economic growth, food security, and poverty reduction. A core component of this initiative is the rollout of the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT), which builds on the successes of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) model.
The 2025 AMP outlines four primary constraints that could hinder the successful implementation and scaling of AGCOT:
1. Regulatory challenges that limit investment and commercialization.
2. Weak institutional capacity to implement large-scale programs.
3. Lack of investment partnerships and structured financing mechanisms.
4. Environmental risks, including climate change impacts.
To tackle these challenges, the new partnership is structured to deliver three main outcomes:
– Stronger coordination and implementation capacities among public and private sector agencies within the ATO framework.
– An improved regulatory and investment environment, fostering inclusive markets and trade, particularly for women and youth.
– Increased private sector and development partner investments along key AGCOT corridors and agricultural value chains.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, David Silinde (MP), reaffirmed the Tanzanian government’s commitment to expanding the SAGCOT model across all agricultural corridors through AGCOT.
Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, Tone Tinnes, highlighted that the initiative aligns with broader agreements signed between Tanzania and Norway in 2023, focusing on boosting agricultural productivity, agribusiness investment, and agricultural research and technology. She noted Norway’s over 50-year commitment to Tanzania’s agricultural sector, recognizing its pivotal role in food security and job creation.
AGRA Tanzania Country Director, Mr. Vianey Rweyendela, emphasized AGRA’s role in providing technical advisory and implementation support to key stakeholders such as ATO, SAGCOT, COPRA, and TARI. AGRA will also support the design and execution of the AGCOT flagship program, including mobilizing resources, refining intervention strategies, and strengthening advocacy and institutional frameworks.
The workshop also engaged stakeholders from environment, trade, conservation, and natural resource management sectors, paving the way for new initiatives. Notably, Norway announced a new strategy for SAGCOT and a new agreement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Furthermore, the workshop aligned with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), particularly in natural resource management, rural infrastructure, market access, and food security enhancement.
Tanzania’s agriculture sector contributes nearly one-third of the country’s GDP and employs over two-thirds of the population. While the country has vast arable land, favorable rainfall, and access to growing regional markets, its smallholder farming sector remains underdeveloped. The challenge lies in transitioning to a modern, competitive agricultural sector while ensuring sustainable environmental management.
Large-scale agricultural expansion risks deforestation, biodiversity loss, and other environmental concerns. However, the government and its partners are prioritizing climate adaptation measures alongside efforts to increase productivity. Tanzania’s climate policies also integrate food security as a key objective, reinforcing the importance of sustainable agriculture.
The Agriculture-Climate Nexus Workshop marks a significant step toward climate-smart agricultural transformation in Tanzania. By fostering multi-sectoral partnerships, the initiative is expected to drive long-term resilience, economic growth, and food security for all Tanzanians.
