GREEN PRODUCTION LANDSCAPE SINGIDA

Tanzania’s agriculture sector engages approximately 65% of the population and is a key driver of economic growth, poverty reduction, and food security. As a result, any adverse impacts from climate change and ecosystem degradation can significantly affect both the national economy and community livelihoods. Smallholder farmers in the Singida region are highly vulnerable to external shocks such as erratic rainfall, droughts, soil erosion, and pest outbreaks. The increasing severity of climate change is disrupting production systems and undermining the functioning of entire ecosystems, thereby threatening farming communities with limited capacity to withstand and adapt to such disruptions.

In alignment with the National Climate Change Response Strategy 2021–2026, which seeks to strengthen national resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change and promote low-emission development pathways for sustainable development, the DGBP program brings together commercial and non-commercial actors in partnership. It promotes sustainable climate and economic development through initiatives that integrate both commercial and development objectives, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 8, 13, and 17.

 Project Goal: Green Production Landscape Singida (GPLS) project is designed to establish a sustainable green production landscape in Tanzania’s Singida region. By fostering inclusive and environmentally responsible business partnerships, it empowers smallholder farmers to grow, consume, and market organic produce. This approach enhances food security and income while restoring farmland and conserving the region’s diverse agricultural ecosystem.

Project Direct Beneficiaries: GPLS works directly with 15,000 farmers (including 10% women and 25% youth)

Project Local Partners: The project partners with BioSustain Tanzania to build farmer capacity and provide reliable markets for organic produce.

Project International Partners: international partner Reinhart supports BioSustain in meeting global certification standards and advancing sustainability reporting for organic production.

TRACKING PROGRESS, TRANSFORMING LIVES: A CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

The project has made significant strides in strengthening smallholder resilience, reaching 10,375 farmers through targeted training on climate-resilient legumes and rotational farming systems. Of these, 12% are women and 5% are youth, reflecting a growing, though still evolving, inclusion of underrepresented groups in agricultural transformation. The combination of improved extension services and the widespread adoption of upgraded seed varieties has yielded a tangible 13% average increase in farm productivity, directly translating into higher incomes and better adaptive capacity against climate shocks. This foundational progress underscores the project’s effectiveness in translating knowledge into on-farm results.

Beyond yield improvements, the initiative has bolstered the agricultural input and value-addition landscape. Through support to BioSustain, three bio-pesticides BIO NEEM OIL EXTRACT 100% (BCA/IN/0020), BIO SUPER NEEM 0.03% EC (BCA/IN/0021), and BIOSUF NEEM OIL EXTRACT 100% (BCA/IN/0022) have been officially registered to combat aphids and African bollworm, offering safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Concurrently, farmer partnerships facilitated the production of 54.8 tons of dried powdered Solanum, benefiting over 12,000 organic growers, while 1,500 liters of neem seed oil have been produced for planned rollout in the 2026/27 season. These achievements not only diversify income streams but also reinforce the project’s commitment to ecologically sound pest management.

Institutional capacity and environmental stewardship remain central to the project’s long-term strategy. In collaboration with TARI, 117 extension workers and 175 lead farmers have been trained in Good Agronomic Practices, rotational cropping, pest control, and post-harvest handling, with knowledge now cascading through demonstration plots, pictorial guides, and on-farm sessions. The project’s environmental footprint is further enhanced by BioSustain’s certification under the Regenerative Agriculture (Regenagri) standard, formalizing its dedication to soil health and biodiversity. Finally, the creation of 65 new field extension jobs all within BioSustain has strengthened service delivery while directly contributing to rural employment, ensuring that the project’s progress is both measurable and sustainable.