Context/Project Rationale
? Longido district is one of the driest Districts in Tanzania, located in Arusha Region.
? Temperature ranges from 20°C to 35°C.
? Rainfall ranges from less than 500mm in low land to 900 in high elevation of West Kilimanjaro.
? Majority of farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture. Few are practicing irrigation farming.
? Persistent drought and crop failure has been a common spectacle particularly among the poor farming community.
? The effect of climate change has not only reduced crop production but also increased environment threats such as deforestation through illegal timber logging and unstainable range land management resulting into serious soil erosion around the area.
? Women and youths in this District rely on agriculture and livestock keeping for the livelihoods of the community. By virtue of the cultural and traditional set up of this community, they particularly share and carry a great deal of the burden of the associated consequences created by environmental changes attributed to changing climate.
? The proposed project will, therefore take a holistic approach to mitigate the effects of climate change by introducing climate smart agriculture practices, introducing alternative income generation activities through the value addition of horticultural crops especially to women and youths and so guaranteeing community members with food security and increased income.
? The Project is in line with the National Climate Change Strategy.

About the Proponent
? Farm Africa is a specialist rural development practitioner with 30+ years of experience working in natural resources management, agriculture and market engagement in Tanzania.
? Farm Africa Tanzania is a locally registered NGO with more than 20 years of experience in delivering programs.
? It is strategically positioned as an ally of local communities, a friend of farmers and a trusted facilitator between market actors.
? It takes a facilitative approach to natural resources management, sustainably facilitating agricultural productivity and market engagement to increase economic, social and environmental benefits from agriculture, forest and woodlands while reducing deforestation.
? The participatory methodology of involving all relevant actors in the village and district levels ensures the long-term sustainability of activities.

Project Primary Objective:
To increase income and job opportunities through horticulture production in selected villages in Longido District.

Specific Objectives:
? To support smallholder farmers to increase production, nutrition and food security.
? To facilitate post harvest handling technology, value addition and market linkage.
? To increase gender equality women and youth participation in economic activities.