Navigating the Nexus between Agricultural Transformation, Food Security, and Climate Change in Rural Development in Tanzania

Authors

  • Hosea Mpogole Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59557/rpj.1.1.2025.173

Keywords:

Commercialization, sustainable agriculture, food systems, end hunger, climate resilience

Abstract

The rural landscape is home to 65% of Tanzania’s population, who heavily rely on agriculture as their main source of food and income. Agriculture employs 65% of the workforce and contributes 128% of food security. However, as the Household Budget Survey 2017/18 shows, some parts of rural areas are faced with extreme poverty, with a 31.3% poverty incidence and 9.7% extreme food poverty, compared to 15.8% and 4.4% in urban areas, respectively. This editorial uses a desk review of the literature and secondary data to synthesize the findings from the special issue in exploring the nexus of agricultural transformation, food security, and climate change. Smallholder-dominated agriculture, characterized by low productivity and rain-fed systems, struggles with climate variability, land tenure issues, and limited mechanization. Transformation towards market-oriented and climate-smart farming is critical. However, it is hindered by resource constraints and post-harvest losses among other things. Food insecurity, exacerbated by climate shocks, manifests in many different ways, including malnutrition and low dietary diversity, with 35% of under-five children stunted. Climate change threatens yields and pastoral livelihoods, potentially reducing economic growth. This editorial paper advocates integrated strategies, such as promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA), irrigation, commercialization, and youth engagement, to enhance resilience and sustainability. Private sector involvement and mind-set shifts among farmers are essential for inclusive rural development, ensuring food security and climate adaptation in the evolving agricultural landscape.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

06-08-2025

Issue

Section

Special Issue

How to Cite

Mpogole, H. (2025). Navigating the Nexus between Agricultural Transformation, Food Security, and Climate Change in Rural Development in Tanzania. Rural Planning Journal, 1(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.59557/rpj.1.1.2025.173

Similar Articles

1-10 of 31

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.