Five years ago, a bold vision emerged: Tanzania, the breadbasket of Africa by 2027. The World Food Programme (WFP), collaborating with AGRA, laid out a five-year strategy to transform the nation into a continental food supplier. Now, with that timeline nearing its end, a critical question arises – was this ambition realistic, or simply an optimistic projection?
The WFP chose Rome, Italy – a global culinary center – to launch its ‘Food Security Country Strategic Plan 2022–2027’ for Tanzania in 2022. Ironically, Tanzania, while not facing famine, still grappled with fundamental food security challenges. The sentiment echoed by WFP Tanzania’s Sarah Gordon Gibson at a 2023 workshop was clear: “Active private sector engagement and investment are key to realizing this vision.”
However, grand plans discussed in luxurious settings often clash with the realities on the ground. Policy discussions and high-level meetings are vastly different from the daily struggles of those who actually cultivate the land. While the “breadbasket” title may remain elusive in the immediate future, Tanzania *has* made significant progress in boosting its agricultural capacity.
This progress, however, is rooted in the tireless work of millions of smallholder farmers – the backbone of Tanzania’s agricultural system. These peasants, comprising over 80 percent of the nation’s 61 million citizens, cultivate the vast majority of arable land. Approximately 80 percent of all farmland is managed by these small-scale producers, relying on traditional methods for subsistence.
Consider the numbers: 80 percent of Tanzanians are smallholder farmers, utilizing rudimentary tools and techniques to grow enough food to survive, working plots of land averaging between 0.9 and 3 hectares. Are these the individuals expected to feed an entire continent? The rhetoric of workshops and five-star hotels feels distant from the harsh realities of the Tanzanian farm.
In 2022, both the WFP and AGRA proposed a 2027 target for Tanzania to ‘feed Africa.’ Vianey Rweyendela, AGRA’s Country Manager, confidently asserted that by 2027, “there will be nothing like poverty in this country.” This ambitious claim stemmed from a five-year plan developed through extensive collaboration with various stakeholders.
Both the WFP and AGRA strategies aimed to establish Tanzania as a self-sufficient food producer, with the ultimate goal of feeding the African continent. Yet, the Global Hunger Index highlights significant obstacles: low productivity, reliance on rainfall, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to technology, and insufficient public investment.
The WFP itself acknowledges the pervasive issue of malnutrition within Tanzania, with high rates of stunting and a concerning rise in obesity and vitamin deficiencies. A staggering 59 percent of families struggle to afford a nutritious diet. Furthermore, 70 percent of the agricultural workforce is comprised of women, often facing limited access to essential resources like land and credit.
Experts at the 2023 Africa Investment Forum in Morocco unanimously agreed that unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential requires substantial investment in infrastructure, innovation, and value chain development – a transformation unlikely to occur within a mere five-year timeframe. Professor Adeel Malik of Oxford University highlighted the critical lack of long-term financing for agricultural entrepreneurs.
Banks are hesitant to provide loans beyond one year due to the inherent volatility of the sector, and often present organizational barriers to farmers seeking essential inputs like seeds and fertilizer. Despite these challenges, progress is undeniable. The Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a 19 percent increase in food production during the 2023/24 season.
This surge resulted in a 124 percent food self-sufficiency rate and a surplus exceeding four million tonnes, with significant gains in maize and rice production. National reserve capacity has also grown substantially, from 150,000 to 360,000 metric tonnes, with a target of three million metric tonnes by 2030.
While the dream of Tanzania single-handedly feeding Africa by 2027 may not fully materialize, the nation is demonstrably moving towards greater food security. The WFP’s ongoing strategic plan focuses on building resilience, improving nutrition, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and strengthening government systems – a long-term commitment to sustainable food access and improved livelihoods.
