USAID and Tanzania Launch $24M Food Loss Reduction Project

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has joined forces with the United Republic of Tanzania to initiate a $24 million project aimed at addressing food loss and waste in the country. Approximately 50 percent of food produced in Tanzania does not reach consumers, leading to food insecurity and reduced income for farmers. The Tuhifadhi Chakula or Let's Save Food project, a five-year initiative, will be executed by the Tanzania Horticulture Association in collaboration with the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania Center. It seeks to minimize losses, enhance food security, create job opportunities, elevate livelihoods, and open export avenues, with a focus on benefiting women and youth. The project will involve various stakeholders, including farmers, traders, transporters, and processors, to reduce food wastage.

The initial phase of the project will cover regions such as Arusha, Morogoro, Mbeya, Pwani, Njombe, Tanga, and Zanzibar, building on previous USAID efforts in Tanzania to combat food insecurity. This partnership will equip local farmers with essential resources, agricultural machinery, and improved irrigation systems to address climate change challenges. USAID has a history of supporting agricultural initiatives in Tanzania, promoting new farming technologies, strengthening the private sector, and enhancing horticulture and value addition in the agriculture sector.