How Tanzania became Africa’s No 2 maize producer

South Africa remains the continent’s top maize producer, with an annual yield of between 13 and 15 million tonnes. However, Tanzania’s surge is seen as a beacon of hope for Africa, which has a total maize demand of approximately 150 million tonnes per year. The country is now a key player in ensuring regional food security.

Central to this achievement is Tanzania’s investment in agricultural inputs, particularly subsidised fertilisers. The introduction of the fertiliser subsidy programme in the 2022/23 season has played a pivotal role in boosting maize yields.

Prior to the subsidy, farmers applied an average of 15 kilogrammes of fertiliser per acre, compared to 50 kilogrammes in neighbouring South African countries. Ministry data shows that by the end of the last season, usage had increased to 24 kilogrammes per acre.

“We have made remarkable progress since the introduction of the subsidy. We have nearly doubled the fertiliser intake per acre compared to our previous rate,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The increase in fertiliser usage has directly contributed to higher maize production. The government aims to raise fertiliser application to 50 kilogrammes per acre by 2030, with overall fertiliser consumption growing from 360,000 tonnes in 2021/22 to 870,000 tonnes last season.

Tanzania’s agricultural transformation is also being driven by mechanisation. The government has launched a programme to deploy 10,000 tractors and power tillers by 2030. Currently, 800 tractors and 800 power tillers have been introduced to enhance efficiency and reduce labour costs for smallholder farmers.

“Mechanisation centres offering modern farming implements at affordable rates have started operations and will continue expanding,” said the senior official.

Announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her visit to Ruvuma last year, the mechanisation initiative is expected to boost productivity nationwide. Alongside this, the government has strengthened support for farmers through access to high-quality seeds and enhanced extension services. Agricultural officers are being equipped with smartphones and motorbikes to provide real-time assistance.

Additionally, farmers in 142 districts now benefit from free soil testing, helping them make informed decisions about fertiliser use and crop management.

The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has played a crucial role in securing a reliable market for maize farmers. Over the last two seasons, the agency has procured more than 700,000 tonnes of maize, a significant rise from 200,000 tonnes three years ago.

“The government’s focus on strengthening the NFRA has helped farmers secure fair prices for their maize, stabilising the market and boosting confidence,” the official noted.

Last season alone, the NFRA spent approximately Sh440 billion on maize and rice procurement. The government is also formalising the agricultural sector, with more than four million farmers now registered. The Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA) is supporting farmers by providing free GPS mapping for land registration, helping them secure formal land titles and access financial services.

Ambitious targets

While Tanzania has made significant progress, it is still working towards its goal of producing three tonnes of maize per hectare. Current yields stand at approximately two tonnes per hectare, up from one tonne in previous years.

“The increase in production has been significant. With the right support, we are confident we can achieve higher yields in the coming seasons,” said the Ministry official.

Looking ahead, the government aims to reach an annual maize output of 15 million tonnes by the 2025/26 season. To support this, it plans to further increase fertiliser consumption to one million tonnes per year.

Economist and Repoa Executive Director Donald Mmari acknowledged the government’s success in boosting maize production but pointed out that challenges remain.

“Farmers continue to complain about the high price of fertiliser and the poor distribution of subsidised inputs. There is still much work to be done to strengthen the fertiliser distribution system,” he stated.

Dr Mmari also stressed the need to expand the number of agricultural extension officers, arguing that not all soils are suitable for maize cultivation. He called for the nationwide soil testing programme to be expanded to help farmers optimise fertiliser use and crop choices.

The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (Sagcot) CEO, Mr Geoffrey Kirenga, underscored the importance of shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.

“Farmers should aim to produce surplus food crops beyond domestic demand. Once they achieve this, they can engage competitively in the market. Moreover, quality should be a priority to access larger markets,” said Mr Kirenga.

Meanwhile, an economist and University of Dar es Salaam lecturer, Dr Mwinuka Lutengano, said subsidising fertiliser significantly eases financial burdens on farmers.

“The government should continue providing subsidies and encourage the use of improved seeds. Strengthening NFRA is also crucial due to its strategic role,” he said.

Dr Lutengano highlighted NFRA’s growing commercial approach, noting that it has secured maize supply contracts with neighbouring countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and international organisations like the World Food Programme (WFP).