Ethiopian farmer and cattle.

Tanzania – Tanzania Staples Value Chain (NAFAKA)


Helping Tanzanian Smallholder Farmers Grow Maize and Rice


The NAFAKA Staples Value Chain Activity is a $30 million project funded by USAID under the Tanzania Feed the Future (FtF) Initiative. It integrates agricultural, gender, environment and nutritional development efforts to improve smallholder farmer productivity and profitability within the maize and rice value chains in Morogoro (Kilombero and Mvomero Districts), Dodoma (Kongwa district) and Manyara (Kiteto District). NAFAKA’s goal is to sustainably reduce poverty and food insecurity by increasing incomes for smallholder farmers, including men, women and youth.


The NAFAKA program works with rural communities and the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture to analyze the local maize and rice value chains and develop a strategy to strengthen them. Increases in food availability, access and consumption are expected to ameliorate food insecurity and malnutrition in rural areas.


Overall, NAFAKA is:


  • Improving the competitiveness and productivity of maize and rice value chains
  • Facilitating improved domestic and regional trade
  • Expanding the depth and breadth of benefits from the growth of the maize and rice subsectors, including increased benefits to women and youth
  • Enhancing rural household nutrition by promoting women-focused value chain development and improved consumption of a quality diet

Association strengthening is at the core of NAFAKA’s activities. Associations link individual farmers horizontally, allowing them to take advantage of economies of scale while providing a platform for engagement in commercial market activities. Additionally, on the project level, NAFAKA strengthens local partners to meet the demands of value chain actors. NAFAKA will provide these local entities with tailored trainings to strengthen the technical, administrative and financial capacity of the local service providers.


The NAFAKA project has nine subcontractors, each of whom bring value and experience to the team.


Local Subcontractors: Farm Input Promotions-Africa (FIPS); Rural and Urban Development Initiative (RUDI); Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA); Match Maker Associates (MMA)


International Subcontractors: International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC); Kimetrica; Catholic Relief Services (CRS); Danya International; Crown Agents; Associates for International Resources and Development (AIRD)


Updated: 12/12