• Tanzania invested $9 million in irrigation equipment to accelerate nationwide irrigation projects.
• The government plans to drill 500 irrigation wells across 178 districts in fiscal year 2025/2026.
• Authorities aim to more than double irrigated land to 1.67 million hectares by 2028, despite far larger untapped potential.

On January 29, Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture handed over new irrigation equipment worth 23.4 billion shillings ($9 million) to the National Irrigation Commission (NIRC). Authorities aim to accelerate the rollout of irrigation projects nationwide.

According to information reported by local media, the equipment includes 19 heavy drilling rigs capable of reaching depths between 300 and 1,800 meters. The delivery also includes 17 vehicles for transporting equipment, two trailers, and 23 motorcycles.

This support comes as the government targets the drilling of 500 irrigation wells across 178 districts during the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Authorities are implementing the initiative under a project designed to irrigate 30,393 hectares of farmland and benefit about 58,900 farmers.

Daniel Chongolo, Minister of Agriculture, said the acquisitions were financed through the irrigation development budget, which reached 308.7 billion shillings ($120.6 million) for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. “The ministry will continue to supervise and monitor the availability of funds so that projects are completed on time,” Chongolo said.

Under its five-year irrigation development plan adopted in 2022, the NIRC aims to more than double Tanzania’s total irrigated area to 1.67 million hectares by 2028. However, the target remains far below the country’s estimated irrigation potential.

According to official data, Tanzania’s total irrigation development potential stands at 29.4 million hectares. Authorities classify about 2.3 million hectares as high potential, 4.8 million hectares as medium potential, and 22.3 million hectares as low potential.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM