Tanzania

Agriculture is by far the most important sector of the Tanzanian economy. Helvetas supports farmers in improving their production methods, reducing postharvest losses and increasing income by marketing their produce. Another focus is on improving primary school education.

Capital

Dodoma
Area

947,303 km²
Poverty rate*

47% of the population live under the poverty line of $1.90 per day
UN DEVELOPMENT INDEX*

Rank: 160 out of 193
Population

55,156,000
People supported per year

161,342
Thematic focus

Private Sector Development
Education and Vocational Skills
Gender & Social Equity
Learning & Innovation

* Source: UN Data

Helvetas has been active in Tanzania since the 1970s and has successfully completed various projects in rural road construction and education. More recently, our focus has been on agricultural development. Roughly 90% of the working population in Tanzania derive their livelihood from farming, which accounts for more than half the nation’s GDP. But agricultural productivity is still very low and marketing the produce is difficult due to a lack of suitable infrastructure.

Helvetas supports farmers in central Tanzania in improving their income by reducing post-harvest losses and drawing up effective marketing strategies. We consult with farmers and other stakeholders in the market to identify the principal challenges and prospects for each product.

Know-how on the air

Farmers can learn more about sustainable farming techniques and revenue sources on special radio broadcasts, which also sensitize them to women’s rights and HIV/AIDS risks and prevention. In addition, farmers learn how metal silos, for example, can keep insects and mice from depleting their stored crops. Farmers previously often lost 20% or more of their crops due to poor storage. We also support women’s groups by improving vegetable production, advising them on best agricultural practices and on processing and marketing their produce to make a profit. Among other things, they learn how to irrigate their vegetable gardens efficiently with treadmill pumps.

Fostering critical thought

Roughly 95% of school-age children in Tanzania do attend primary school, but the quality of the education has steadily declined in recent years. To counteract this downward trend, Helvetas provides continuing education for primary school teachers in English, mathematics and natural science in three regions in the northeast of Tanzania. Teachers adapt participatory teaching methods to encourage pupils to think for themselves – and to think critically. We work with the Tanzanian teachers’ union to implement this approach. In the near future, Helvetas will also engage in vocational skills development for young adults.

Visit the website of Helvetas Tanzania.

The country programme in Tanzania is co-funded by the SDC programme contribution.