IITA, in collaboration with the Alliance Bioversity International – CIAT, launched a project in partnership with Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project aims to restore and increase the productivity and profitability of key food and oilseed crops and enhance market access for rural women and young farmers in Tanzania to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 and enhance resilience. The launch was held on 14 April at Rafiki Hotel, Dodoma, Tanzania.
The two-year project will benefit at least 20,000 smallholder farmers (women and youth) by strengthening the value chains of cassava, sunflower, and beans in five regions: Dodoma, Geita, Manyara, Morogoro, and Mwanza.
In his opening remarks, the IITA Eastern Africa Director representative, Frederick Baijukya, noted that the project would empower farmers by giving them quality seed to enhance crop production and strengthen market opportunities. Engaging youth in agriculture and processing and linking them to the market, government, and the private sector, is one of the project’s priorities.