Context
Tanzania has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30-35% by 2030 through its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted in July 2021, as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement. A biodiversity-rich nation, Tanzania has significant opportunities to leverage agroforestry for climate change mitigation while enhancing women’s livelihoods and community resilience.
The integration of trees into agricultural landscapes plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, soil health improvement, and providing diverse community benefits. Tanzania’s National Agroforestry Strategy envisions four million rural households adopting agroforestry practices by 2025, contributing to improved livelihoods and environmental sustainability. The government has developed Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) guidelines promoting agroforestry to enhance agricultural resilience and productivity.
Tanzania has made notable progress through partnerships with organizations like the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), developing innovative technologies including fertilizer trees and biomass transfer systems. Projects such as HASHI and Scaling Agroforestry for Holistic Climate Resilience (SCARF) have successfully trained thousands of smallholders using participatory methods.
Despite these advancements, women in Tanzania play a crucial role in agroforestry and natural resource management, but often face barriers to participation in decision-making processes related to climate action. Gender inequities limit women’s access to resources, training, and leadership opportunities, undermining their potential contributions to climate resilience efforts.
Goal of the Technical Assistance
The initiative’s technical assistance will advocate for gender-responsive policies and institutional mechanisms within agroforestry mitigation action. By providing inputs and recommendations for integrating gender considerations into national agroforestry strategies and action plans, this effort will align with Tanzania’s commitments under international frameworks such as the UNFCCC.
CAA Technical Assistance
The technical assistance for agroforestry in Tanzania aligns with the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan by promoting gender inclusivity and addressing social priorities within climate policy strategies. This initiative aims to mainstream gender considerations in agroforestry and climate mitigation efforts, ensuring women are integral to stakeholder engagement activities related to land use and land cover mapping. By incorporating the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), the initiative will empower women to articulate their needs and aspirations, enhancing their leadership roles and ensuring effective contribution to climate initiatives. The requesting organizations, ACRA and ACEES, have already been trained in GALS, positioning them well to lead this initiative. Both organizations emphasize engaging men and women to foster inclusive environments supporting effective climate action.
The technical assistance will focus on five key areas:
- Land Use Mapping: Developing comprehensive land use and land cover maps for agroforestry areas to provide essential planning and implementation data
- Capacity Building: Strengthening local institutions and stakeholders for effective monitoring and reporting of agroforestry practices
- Gender-Responsive Approaches: Empowering women and ensuring active participation in decision-making processes
- Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating the dissemination of best practices among communities and stakeholders
- Policy Development: Supporting policies that incentivize agroforestry adoption, creating conducive environments for sustainable land management and climate resilience
