The Government of Tanzania and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are implementing a $77.416 million programme aimed at boosting productivity and profitability in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, but delays in its execution have prompted the responsible minister to order a thorough review.
The Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, has directed a team of experts from the ministry to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP) to determine the causes of delays, particularly in the procurement process.
Dr Bashiru issued the directive on April 2, 2026 after receiving an implementation progress report covering the period from July 2022 to March 2026 during a meeting held at the ministry’s sub-offices located at Kambarage Tower in Dodoma.
He emphasised the need for the evaluation to identify bottlenecks that have slowed the pace of the project, especially those related to tendering procedures, so that corrective measures can be taken to ensure the programme achieves its intended impact.
The AFDP programme is designed to strengthen agricultural and fisheries value chains by improving productivity, expanding market access and promoting value addition.
It also aims to support the development of the private sector while enhancing the availability of quality agricultural seeds and inputs.
In the fisheries sector, the programme seeks to improve the production of fisheries and aquaculture, while supporting fish processors and other actors involved in the value chain. It also includes initiatives to support seaweed farmers and processors.
Launched in July 2021, the programme is scheduled to run until December 2027 and is expected to significantly contribute to the transformation of agriculture and fisheries in the country.
According to programme projections, about 260,000 households are expected to benefit directly from the initiative.
In total, approximately 1.3 million people are projected to gain from the programme, including farmers, small-scale seed producers and suppliers of agricultural inputs, small-scale fishers, fish processors, aquaculture farmers and seaweed processors.
The beneficiaries will come from 46 local government authorities located in 12 regions across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, where the programme is targeting rural communities whose livelihoods depend largely on agriculture and fisheries.
Through the programme, the government aims to strengthen production systems, improve value chains and expand market opportunities for smallholder farmers and fishers, while promoting sustainable economic growth in rural areas.
Officials say that once implementation challenges are addressed, the AFDP programme has the potential to play a critical role in increasing incomes for rural households, improving food security and strengthening the country’s agricultural and fisheries sectors.
