Tanzania Joins Continental Effort to Reinforce Food Systems and Farmer Resilience

Dodoma, Tanzania – May, 05 2025

Tanzania has joined six other African nations in implementing a transformative initiative to build resilient food systems and strengthen climate-smart agriculture for smallholder farmers. The programme, known as RE-GAIN (Resilient Gains in Agriculture and Innovation Nexus), was officially launched at the Morena Hotel in Dodoma, marking the start of a five-year, continent-wide effort to combat food insecurity and climate shocks.

Speaking at the launch event, AGRA’s Country Director for Tanzania, Vianey Rweyendela, emphasized the programme’s strategic focus on enhancing productivity in two staple crops—maize and rice. He highlighted how RE-GAIN will support the adoption of modern technologies, improve market access, and deliver extensive training to farmers on optimal harvesting, storage, and post-harvest handling practices.

“The programme is designed to empower smallholder farmers by equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a changing climate,” Rweyendela explained. “With better access to markets and modern post-harvest solutions, farmers can reduce losses and improve their incomes.”

Also addressing the audience, Gungu Mohammed Mbavu, Director of Marketing and Food Security at the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted Tanzania’s pressing challenge of significant crop losses that occur during both harvesting and post-harvest handling. “Despite our progress in production, we continue to lose large volumes of food between the field and the market,” said Mbavu. “The RE-GAIN initiative gives us a coordinated platform to deploy scalable solutions, engage stakeholders, and unlock the potential of our food systems while adapting to the realities of climate change.”

The initiative is part of a broader regional response to climate-related agricultural challenges. At the Dodoma event, government institutions, private sector representatives, and development organizations came together to chart a collaborative path forward. Stakeholders reaffirmed the need for stronger coordination mechanisms and robust monitoring systems to track progress over time.

Participants underscored that food security, especially in the face of unpredictable weather patterns and economic uncertainty, requires a systemic approach that connects farmers to innovation, finance, and policy support.

As one of seven countries involved, Tanzania stands to benefit from shared learning and regional partnerships that can amplify national gains. The country’s inclusion in RE-GAIN also reflects its growing role in advancing sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Resilient Gains in Agriculture and Innovation Nexus (RE-GAIN) is a transformative initiative launched by AGRA in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This program aims to strengthen climate resilience and reduce food loss across seven African countries: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia.

Origins and Objectives
RE-GAIN was introduced during the African Heads of States Food Systems Session at COP28, reflecting a strategic response to the dual challenges of escalating food insecurity and climate change impacts affecting nearly 300 million people in Africa. The program seeks to enhance smallholder farmers’ access to technologies, promote the adoption of food loss reduction solutions (FL-RS), and support the creation of enabling environments for transitioning food systems.

Key Components
Promotion of Food Loss Reduction Solutions (FL-RS): RE-GAIN focuses on increasing awareness and demand for FL-RS among smallholder farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). By educating end-users, the program aims to enhance the adoption of strategies that minimize post-harvest losses, thereby improving food availability and farmers’ incomes.

Strengthening Supply and Affordability: The initiative works on enhancing the supply and affordability of FL-RS, ensuring that effective solutions are accessible to farmers and agribusinesses. This involves engaging both demand and supply sides, with a strong emphasis on market creation and enhancement.

Creating Enabling Environments: RE-GAIN supports the development of policies and institutional capacities that facilitate the large-scale adoption of FL-RS. This includes fostering partnerships with the private sector and aligning programs with national priorities and climate science.

Implementation in Tanzania
In Tanzania, RE-GAIN is tailored to address specific challenges in the agricultural sector. The program aims to enhance the climate resilience and adaptive capacity of smallholders by promoting the widespread adoption of FL-RS. Interventions are targeted at increasing climate resilience and improving livelihoods at the individual smallholder and MSME levels, as well as strengthening capacities of systems and institutions to promote the adoption of food loss reduction solutions.

Financial Commitment and Impact
Over USD 100 million in financing supports the RE-GAIN program, leveraging resources from both the public and private sectors. This funding is directed towards supporting the adoption of food loss solutions, enhancing market access, and building climate resilience among smallholder farmers.

By addressing post-harvest losses and promoting climate-smart agriculture, RE-GAIN contributes to transforming Africa’s food systems, ensuring food security, and improving the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across the continent.