CIDCA, IFAD launch climate-resilient agricultural project in Tanzania

The China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and the United Nations' International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed an agreement to support the Leveraging Satellite-based Digital Solutions for Climate-Resilient Agriculture (SAT-CARE) Project in Tanzania. 

As the first cooperation project between the two parties under China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, it aims to enhance agricultural productivity and climate resilience in Tanzania through the application of available, accessible, affordable, and actionable satellite-based information and communication technology. The initiative will directly benefit 5,000 small farmer households and indirectly reach up to one million farmers across the country.

"The SAT-CARE project, as the first major outcome of our growing partnership with the CIDCA, presents a valuable opportunity to leverage China’s expertise in satellite technology," said Wang Wei, IFAD's chief partnership officer and special adviser to its president. “Together, we are bridging the digital divide and fostering sustainable agricultural transformation in Tanzania and beyond.”

Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania's economy. The country is battling low agricultural productivity, limited access to modern technologies, and rising climate-related risks. And there is an urgent demand for practical, affordable and scalable solutions that can deliver timely information, strengthen resilience and boost national income.

To meet these needs, the SAT-CARE project will introduce satellite-driven, data-informed approaches that provide real-time agricultural monitoring and support smart decision-making. It will assist Tanzania's Ministry of Agriculture in developing a comprehensive satellite-based agricultural information system, which includes a digital agriculture platform, mobile advisory services, and tailored technical support along the seed value chain.

Non-governmental organizations and experts from China will deliver both on-site training and remote technical support, helping to build up the country's capacity and encouraging the adoption of digital agriculture practices across Tanzania.

Through IFAD's platform of South-South and Triangular Cooperation, the SAT-CARE model will be documented and promoted to inspire similar initiatives in other African countries, amplifying its impact and encouraging regional innovation in food security, climate resilience and rural prosperity.