In a significant move to combat the impacts of climate change, Canada, through Global Affairs Canada, has committed 20 million Canadian Dollars to empower women and youth in the agriculture sector across three regions of Tanzania.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Mkuranga District, Coast Region, by Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, who launched the ambitious ‘Her Resilience, Our Planet’ project. This initiative aims to support women and youth in adapting to, mitigating, and transitioning to renewable energy within the agricultural sector.
The six-year project will be coordinated in Tanzania by Care Tanzania, in partnership with five other organizations: WWF, SAGCOT, TGNP Mtandao, Shahidi wa Maji, and the Conservation Farming Unit.
Addressing the launch, Minister Hussen highlighted that the project aims to reach over 175,000 smallholder farmers, with a particular focus on women, to help them address the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture. He emphasized that women and youth are among the most affected by climate change, and the funding is intended to help them "adapt, mitigate, and transition to renewable energy."
Deputy Minister of Agriculture David Silinde expressed gratitude to the Canadian government for the grant, noting that it underscores the strong partnership between Canada and Tanzania. He stated that the project aligns with Tanzania’s ongoing agricultural initiatives aimed at ensuring food security for Africa and the world.
Silinde also highlighted Tanzania's Building Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative, which involves graduates in agricultural programs, and how it complements the ‘Her Resilience, Our Planet’ project in promoting economic empowerment for women and youth while contributing to environmental sustainability.
Coast Regional Commissioner Abubakar Kunenge remarked that the project is timely as Tanzania leverages the value chain in the agriculture sector. The initiative will be implemented in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) clusters, encompassing the districts of Iringa, Kilolo, Wanging’ombe, Mufindi, and Mbarali, all linked to the Ruaha Basin.
Care Tanzania has embraced a holistic approach to climate justice, integrating environmental sustainability, gender equality, and social inclusion. The organization aims to build resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and enhance the adaptive capacities of communities while protecting human rights and addressing systemic inequalities.
As the global climate crisis intensifies, it is estimated that an additional 132 million people could be pushed into poverty by 2030 due to climate change. This project represents a vital step in supporting those most vulnerable and building a sustainable future.