Tullah Mloge – The IGG Tool Is A Game-Changer for Sustainable Agriculture in Tanzania

In Tanzanian agriculture’s evolving landscape, balancing productivity, environmental sustainability, and social inclusivity remains a challenge. Large-scale agribusiness investments often prioritize profits over sustainability, while smallholder farmers struggle to meet environmental and regulatory standards.

To address these challenges, SAGCOT Centre, in collaboration with stakeholders, has developed the Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) Tool—a transformative framework designed to guide farmers, investors, and policymakers toward responsible and sustainable agricultural practices.

“The IGG Tool is not just about farming—it’s about ensuring that agribusiness investments work for the farmer, the environment, and the community at large,” said Tullah Mloge from SAGCOT Centre during a recent stakeholder meeting on irrigation- https://youtube.com/live/ariPWo4wLik

This article explores what the IGG Tool is, why it matters, and how it is shaping the future of agriculture in Tanzania.

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1. Understanding the IGG Tool: A Holistic Approach to Agriculture

The Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) Tool is a comprehensive framework that integrates sustainability, economic viability, and social inclusion into agricultural investments.

According to Tullah Mloge, the tool was developed to help agribusinesses and smallholder farmers grow their enterprises responsibly without depleting natural resources or marginalizing local communities.

“We created the IGG Tool to provide a roadmap for farmers, agribusiness investors, and policymakers to ensure that agricultural development is sustainable, profitable, and socially responsible,” she explained.

The IGG Tool focuses on three key areas:

1. Environmental Sustainability – Ensuring agricultural practices conserve water, soil, and biodiversity.
2. Social Inclusion – Encouraging gender equity, youth participation, and fair labor practices.
3. Economic Viability – Supporting long-term business success and compliance with legal standards.

By addressing these areas, the IGG Tool helps farmers increase production while protecting natural resources and improving livelihoods.

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2. Why the IGG Tool Matters: Addressing Key Challenges in Agriculture

Tanzania’s agricultural sector faces multiple challenges, from climate change and water scarcity to land degradation and unfair labor conditions.

“Agriculture must not only feed the nation but also sustain its future. We need to ensure that the land we cultivate today remains fertile for generations to come,” emphasized Tullah Mloge.

Key Challenges the IGG Tool Addresses

✔ Environmental Degradation – Deforestation, soil erosion, and overuse of water resources threaten long-term agricultural productivity.

✔ Social Exclusion – Women and youth struggle to access land, finance, and agricultural opportunities.

✔ Unregulated Investments – Some agribusinesses ignore environmental and labor laws, leading to resource depletion and worker exploitation.

✔ Climate Change Resilience – Extreme weather patterns impact crop yields, necessitating climate-smart farming solutions.

The IGG Tool provides a clear guideline for farmers and agribusinesses to navigate these issues while ensuring profitability and sustainability.

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3. How the IGG Tool Works: A Roadmap for Farmers and Investors

The IGG Tool is structured to help farmers and agribusinesses assess, plan, and implement best practices in their farming operations.

Step 1: Assessing Sustainability Readiness

• The tool begins with an evaluation framework that assesses:
  ✅ Current environmental practices (e.g., soil conservation, water management).
  ✅ Social responsibility (e.g., fair wages, community engagement).
  ✅ Economic resilience (e.g., access to markets, financial stability).

Step 2: Implementing Best Practices

• Farmers receive customized guidelines to improve their farming models, including:
  ✅ Eco-friendly irrigation techniques like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
  ✅ Land conservation strategies such as contour farming and agroforestry.
  ✅ Fair labor practices ensuring equitable wages and working conditions.

Step 3: Compliance and Monitoring

• The IGG Tool aligns farmers with national and international agricultural regulations, helping them:
  ✅ Secure environmental certifications for exports.
  ✅ Avoid legal penalties related to improper land or water use.
  ✅ Ensure community benefits from agribusiness investments.

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4. A Farmer’s Perspective: What Does the IGG Tool Mean on the Ground?

For farmers, the IGG Tool is not just a concept—it’s a lifeline for increasing productivity while securing their future.

Jitu Soni, a farmer from Manyara, shared his experience:

“Before, we were just farming without considering the long-term impact on our land. The IGG Tool taught us how to manage water efficiently, improve soil fertility, and ensure workers’ rights are respected. Now, our yields have improved, and our farm is more sustainable.”

Similarly, small-scale vegetable farmers using drip irrigation have found the tool useful for maximizing efficiency while cutting costs.

“Drip irrigation and soil conservation techniques have saved us money and boosted our harvest. The IGG Tool helped us understand the value of sustainable farming,” said a farmer from Kilosa.

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5. Policy Implications: Can the IGG Tool Influence Government Regulations?

Beyond benefiting individual farmers, the IGG Tool is also seen as a policy-shaping mechanism.

“We are working closely with the government to integrate the IGG Tool into national agricultural policies,” said Tullah Mloge.

Key Policy Recommendations Inspired by the IGG Tool

✔ Stronger enforcement of environmental and labor laws in agriculture.
✔ Incentives for farmers adopting climate-smart irrigation and land management techniques.
✔ Recognition of the IGG Tool in national agricultural strategies.

The government has already shown interest in scaling up sustainable irrigation projects, and the IGG Tool could play a crucial role in guiding future investments.

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6. The Future of Agriculture with the IGG Tool

As Tanzania moves toward a more sustainable agricultural future, the IGG Tool offers a practical solution for farmers, investors, and policymakers.

What Needs to Happen Next?

1️⃣ Wider adoption – More farmers and agribusinesses need to integrate the IGG Tool into their operations.
2️⃣ Government endorsement – Policymakers should officially recognize the IGG Tool as a national standard.
3️⃣ Private sector partnerships – Agribusinesses should incorporate sustainability principles into their investment models.

“Sustainability is no longer optional—it is a necessity. The IGG Tool provides a clear roadmap for achieving this,” concluded Tullah Mloge.

With the right support and commitment, the IGG Tool could revolutionize Tanzanian agriculture, ensuring that economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity go hand in hand.

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Final Thought

For Tanzania to achieve inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth, every farmer, investor, and policymaker must embrace the IGG Tool. By doing so, the country can ensure food security, protect natural resources, and build a resilient farming sector for future generations.