Water security, sanitation and sustainable agriculture are being brought together in a new partnership in Tanzania aimed at improving rural livelihoods, strengthening food security and helping smallholder farmers become more resilient to climate change.

WaterAid Tanzania and Farm Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address the interconnected challenges of poor sanitation, malnutrition and low agricultural productivity in rural communities. The agreement was formalised in Dar es Salaam and will combine water, sanitation and hygiene services with sustainable agriculture and livelihood programmes.

The partnership reflects a growing recognition that access to safe water is not only a public health issue but also a critical requirement for productive agriculture. For rural households facing increasingly unpredictable environmental conditions, reliable water and improved hygiene can directly influence food production, nutrition and household incomes.

WaterAid Tanzania Country Director Anna Mzinga said the collaboration would bring together WaterAid’s expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene with Farm Africa’s experience in sustainable agriculture.

The partnership will focus on joint planning, resource mobilisation and projects where improved water, sanitation and hygiene services can contribute directly to stronger livelihoods.

Water Security Becomes Agricultural Priority

For smallholder farmers, access to water is increasingly important as climate change places greater pressure on agricultural production.

Farm Africa Tanzania Country Director Dr David Ojwang said improved sanitation and hygiene are central to strengthening food security and nutrition, while access to water has become essential for farmers trying to maintain food production under changing environmental conditions.

By integrating WASH services with agricultural programmes, the organisations aim to help rural communities develop more climate-resilient livelihoods.

The partnership is expected to support efforts to improve agricultural productivity, household incomes and nutrition while reducing poverty in rural areas.

Supporting Climate-Resilient Rural Communities

Climate change is increasing the risks faced by farming communities, making it increasingly important to combine agricultural improvements with investments in essential infrastructure and services.

The two organisations plan to work together on initiatives that strengthen community management of natural resources and improve farmers’ access to profitable markets.

They also intend to share lessons and experience with other development partners, potentially allowing successful approaches to be replicated in other rural communities.

Dr Ojwang said combining better hygiene with improved agricultural practices could help more communities build climate-resilient livelihoods by 2030.

The partnership brings together WaterAid’s 43 years of experience in Tanzania and Farm Africa’s 35 years of operations. WaterAid says it has reached 1.9 million people with water services and 4.3 million with hygiene services in the country since 1983.

Linking Water, Food and Incomes

The initiative highlights the close relationship between water availability, agricultural production and rural economic development.

When farmers have better access to water and improved sanitation, communities can become better positioned to produce food, protect household health and generate income. Combining these interventions with market access and sustainable farming practices could further strengthen the economic resilience of smallholder households.

For Tanzania’s agricultural sector, the partnership could therefore provide a more integrated approach to rural development, moving beyond individual interventions towards programmes that address several challenges at the same time.

As climate pressures continue to affect rural communities, linking water security with agricultural productivity could become increasingly important to Tanzania’s efforts to improve food security, reduce poverty and build resilient farming economies.

WaterAid Tanzania Country Director, Anna Mzinga (right), and Farm Africa Tanzania Country Director, Dr David Ojwang (left), sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising a strategic partnership to address the link between poor sanitation, malnutrition and low agricultural productivity in rural Tanzania during an event held on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | COURTESY