Transforming agriculture to nourish communities

Agriculture is central to human survival and economic development. Across the world, it is rooted in diverse climates and cultures, with a wide range of crops adapted to local conditions. Yet the sector faces increasing pressures — from the need to ensure food security and sustainable practices to the growing impacts of climate change. Communities, governments, and organisations are working together to respond to these challenges through practical solutions, policy improvements, and new technologies. These collective efforts aim to transform the global agri-food system into one that is adaptive, equitable, and prepared to feed a growing population in an ever-changing world.

In Tanzania, where agriculture contributes over 27% to the national GDP, smallholder farmers (SHFs) form the foundation of the agricultural sector, contributing over 75% of total agricultural outputs. Yet despite the abundance of fertile land in Tanzania, SHFs face overwhelming obstacles which lead to food insecurity and malnutrition. Inefficiencies in local food value chains leave many farmers isolated from crucial markets and resources, while systemic barriers like limited financing and high transaction costs hamper efforts by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to offer goods and services in rural communities. Poor access to high-quality seeds, unreliable rainfall, and gaps in agricultural services continue to hold back productivity. At the household level, gender inequality and limited access to nutrition education add to these challenges, affecting livelihoods and wellbeing.

The NOURISH Tanzania project is fostering resilient and inclusive agriculture. This transformative initiative targets 168,000 farmers across five regions: Singida, Dodoma, and Manyara in the central-northern zone and Songwe and Rukwa in the southern Highlands. These regions, grappling with either acute food insecurity or chronic malnutrition, are the focus of innovative strategies to build food security and nutrition-sensitive farming systems through:

• Climate-resilient agriculture: Promoting good agricultural practices and technologies, the use of improved seeds and soil health management to boost productivity and climate resilience.

• Value chain development: Strengthen key crops—sorghum, sunflower, common beans, and vegetables—while fostering partnerships that enhance market access.

• Digital innovations: Equipping farmers with digital tools and platforms to access markets, finance, and agricultural inputs.

• Gender equality and inclusion: Empowering women and marginalised groups to play a central role in decision-making and sustainable farming.

• Nutrition education: Guiding families on food diversity and budgeting to improve health and food security.

Over the past year, NOURISH Tanzania has connected more than 6,000 farmers with input suppliers, trained 472 community health workers on essential nutrition practices, supported over 400 lead farmers through hands-on climate-resilient agriculture training, and established more than 400 demonstration plots. These efforts mark an important step in strengthening productivity and enabling lasting change by empowering local communities.

With funds from Norad and led by SNV in partnership with Farm Africa, T-MARC, RECODA and MIICO, NOURISH Tanzania is working through existing local structures and smallholder farmers to build resilience, strengthen sustainable livelihoods, and promote environmentally sustainable practices. More than improving agricultural productivity, the project is helping to embed nutrition-sensitive practices into how communities grow, prepare and consume food— everyday practices that directly influence health and long-term resilience.