Tanzania - Special Program for Food Security: Pilot Project

The Special Program for Food Security (SPFS) is conceived by FAO with the objective of rapidly increasing productivity and food production as well as a reduction in the inter-year variability in production. The SPFS is composed of three inter-related and complementary components: (i) water control and management (small-scale irrigation, drainage and water harvesting; (ii) crop intensification and diversification into short-cycle animals, vegetables; and (iii) analysis of socio-economic constraints. This project responds to the critical constraints of food insecurity through the testing of water control techniques that can assure farmers of stable supplies of food. It also demonstrates technologies for rapidly increasing production. The project is to be implemented in two phases -- pilot and expansion, with the latter consisting of a food security and agricultural security policy program, an agricultural investment plan and preparation of feasibility studies for bankable projects. As a pilot, this intervention is expected to provide valuable lessons that can be used in the formulation of broader agricultural investment projects. The total cost, over three years, is estimated at UA1.11million.