More than 18,000 Tanzanian farmers are expected to directly benefit from the National Agroforestry Programme by 2031, as the government steps up efforts to promote sustainable land use practices, environmental conservation, and rural incomes.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, said the programme—launched in 2024 by Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango—aims to reach 15 million farmers nationwide through the adoption of advanced agroforestry technologies and practices.
Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of the National Agroforestry Advisory Committee in Dodoma, Dr. Chana described agroforestry as a strategic intervention in tackling deforestation, boosting agricultural productivity, and building climate resilience.
“This programme is housed under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and focuses on increasing the use of agroforestry technologies among farmers to improve community well-being, the national economy, and environmental sustainability,” said Dr. Chana.
To ensure successful implementation, the Ministry has formed a nine-member advisory committee drawing experts from key government ministries and institutions, including agriculture, livestock, local government (TAMISEMI), Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), and research bodies such as TAFORI and TARI-Tumbi.
Tanzania currently has 48.1 million hectares of forest cover—about 55 percent of its land area—of which 93 percent is Miombo woodland and the remaining 7 percent comprises lowland, montane, mangrove forests, and plantation forests.
Despite this, the country is losing approximately 469,400 hectares of forest annually due to illegal logging, charcoal burning, encroachment, wildfires, and artisanal mining.
“This rate of forest loss is alarming and unsustainable,” the Minister warned. “Farmers are critical stakeholders in this initiative and will be integrated into agroforestry value chains to improve livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development.”
Acting Director of Forestry, Mr. Daniel Pancras, speaking on behalf of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, emphasized that the newly formed committee would provide guidance, coordination, and oversight to ensure the agroforestry strategy is effectively rolled out.
The strategy will support access to high-quality seeds and tree seedlings, strengthen national capacity in mixed farming systems, add value to agroforestry products, expand market access, and rehabilitate degraded land to ensure food security.
TFS Conservation Commissioner, Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, underscored the role of agroforestry in addressing climate change, saying the approach combines tree planting with food crop cultivation to enhance productivity, restore degraded ecosystems, and reduce rural vulnerability.
“Success will depend on collaboration among all actors in the agriculture and forestry sectors. It is critical that we adopt modern, science-based agroforestry practices to protect the environment while promoting inclusive growth,” Prof. Silayo noted.