85% of Tanzania’s poor people live in rural areas and rely on agriculture as their main source of income and livelihood. However, the agricultural sector has failed to make significant inroads into high levels of rural poverty and household food insecurity. Real agricultural growth of about 3% is much below the national target of 10%.

Though women constitute the main part of agricultural labour force, women in agriculture do not have equal access to productive assets, inputs and services and therefore produce less.

Any intervention in the agricultural sector that promotes pro-poor and equal growth will contribute to employment and income creation, increased food production and food security. The Government of Tanzania is paying renewed attention to the sector, however, major investements are directed toward regions facing favorable agricultural conditions.

Livelihoods of smallholder farmers, women and men, and related micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the Central Corridor of Tanzania are improved through increased income and employment opportunities.

Selected key targets by March 2016:

• >90’000 rural households (40% female) benefit from RLDC in terms of increased income by 15%/a
• 50% increase in physical assets and savings disaggregated by gender and poverty status
• 15% increase in employment created by MSEs/a
• 60% of the women beneficiaries have strong control over their resources

Small farmers (men and women) in the Central Corridor and related owners of micro and small enterprises in selected agricultural sub-sectors.

At farm level: Market access, production/productivity of and value addition by farmers have increased through availability of improved inputs, skills, knowledge & services, bargaining power, and awareness on gender equality.

At system level: The agriculture sector and business environment have undergone a systemic change leading to higher competitiveness and better business opportunities for smallholders.

Expected results:  

• The private sector is the driving force in the process of economic growth in agriculture and contributes to poverty reduction,
• The public sector is providing improved services in the long run,
• The farmers organizations became strong enough to represent and defend their interest and be an agent of socio-economic change at community level.

Results from previous phases:  

During 2008-2011 RLDP engaged in the M4P (Market for Poor) approach. Over 80,000 households benefited from RLDP interventions operated in 5 sectors (cotton, dairy, poultry, rice and sunflower). Women constituted 33% of the direct beneficiaries. The income of the producers increased with a rate of around 10% a year. Across the supported sectors a 41% increase in employment by rural SMEs was achieved.

Overall RLDC was on track regarding targets and performance, while less significant results regarding crosscutting issues, namely gender were achieved

Phase 5 01.04.2012 - 31.03.2016   (Completed)