A country–driven response to climate change, food and nutrition insecurity
Agriculture is an essential pillar of The United Republic of Tanzania’s economy, and a key driver of rural development. In fact, the sector employs 78 percent of the population; it contributes to approximately 95 percent of the national food requirements; it provides livelihood to more than 70 percent of the population; and it accounts for about half of the gross domestic product and export earnings. However, the majority of households still produce at subsistence level, and agriculture is mainly rain fed, hence more susceptible to climate change impacts. Specifically, the United Republic of Tanzania is already experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change, which is suppressing and distorting the country’s efforts to improve productivity of the agriculture sector as a whole, and having long-term implications if no adaptation measures are put in place.