Tanzania promotes sustainable land management to combat drought

Tanzania is advocating for the sustainable management of grazing lands and soil resources to mitigate threats from drought, overgrazing, and climate change. Speaking at a meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Minister of State Eng Hamad Yussuf Masauni emphasized that these environmental pressures pose significant risks to food security, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.

With a population of approximately 61.7 million, Tanzania faces increasing pressure on its natural resources. Data from the 2022/23 Annual Agricultural Sample Survey indicates that out of roughly 8.97 million farming households, 60.6 percent are engaged in livestock keeping. To address these challenges, the government is implementing the National Programme to Combat Desertification and Drought (2025–2030).

Key initiatives include participatory land-use planning, the restoration of degraded grazing areas, improved water infrastructure, and the implementation of drought early-warning systems. The government is also promoting public-private partnerships to accelerate land restoration and raising awareness regarding climate and investment.