Local Project

Agriculture plays a vital role in Tanzania’s economy, with over 75% of the population depending on it for their livelihoods. Crop diseases pose a significant threat to food security in Tanzania, with losses estimated at 30-50% for maize, and 20-40% for tomatoes. Maize is the most widely grown crop in Tanzania and is a staple food for the majority of the population, it is grown in nearly all agro-ecological zones in the country, while both maize and tomato are also high-value cash crops, with increasing demand in both local and international markets.

However, crop diseases affecting maize and tomato pose a significant threat to food security in Tanzania, and traditional methods of disease detection and management are often ineffective, leading to reduced crop yields and income for farmers. Crop diseases affecting maize and tomato are a significant threat to production, and have severe economic consequences, leading to reduced yields, lower income for farmers, and increased food insecurity.