History of agricultural development
| Period | Main features |
|---|---|
| Pre-colonial | Subsistence farming, shifting cultivation, pastoralism, long-distance trade in ivory and crops |
| German colonial (1885–1918) | Plantations of sisal, coffee and cotton; forced cash crop growing |
| British colonial (1920–1961) | Cash crops by smallholders and estates, cooperative unions, groundnut scheme |
| After independence (1961) | Settlement schemes, cooperatives, state farms |
| Ujamaa (1967–1980s) | Villagisation, communal farming, state marketing boards |
| Market reforms (from 1986) | Liberalised markets, privatisation, end of marketing board monopolies |
| Recent | Kilimo Kwanza (2009), Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP), Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor (SAGCOT), Big Results Now |
Agricultural policies and institutions
The government supports farmers with extension services, research (for example Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, TARI), subsidised inputs, irrigation schemes, rural roads and credit (for example the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank, TADB). The Sokoine University of Agriculture trains farm professionals. Farmers form cooperatives and groups to buy inputs and sell crops together.
Problems and solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Reliance on rain | Irrigation, drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting |
| Low yields, poor seeds | Improved seed, fertiliser, extension |
| Pests and diseases | IPM, vaccination |
| Poor roads, storage and markets | Rural roads, warehouses, cooperatives |
| Lack of capital | Credit, savings and credit groups |
| Land degradation | Soil conservation, agroforestry |
Try itProduction growth
Choose the present output and the yearly growth rate.
Key terms
- Extension service
- Advice and training for farmers.
- Liberalisation
- Opening the market to private traders.
- Cooperative
- A group of farmers working together.
- Villagisation
- Moving people into planned villages.
Summary
- Agriculture in Tanzania has moved from subsistence to commercial and market-led systems.
- Government supports farmers through extension, research, credit and infrastructure.
- Cooperatives help farmers to buy and sell.
- Problems include weather, low yields and poor markets.