U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Inspired by Feed the Future Activities

As the Ambassador drove away from the Feed the Future irrigation scheme, model farm, and the farmers he met, he stated “I am impressed and inspired by the work that is happening; Feed the Future and the American people are making a big difference here in Tanzania.”

On Tuesday, September 11th 2012, US Ambassador to Tanzania, Alfonso Lenhardt spent the day visiting Feed the Future activities in Morogoro, Tanzannia.

Located approximately 160 miles outside of the commercial and economic capital of Dar es Salaam, Morogoro is where several components of the Feed the Future Initiative merge—positively impacting the 954 member Water Users Association in the Dakawa district. The Ambassador’s visit builds on the successful Press Tour held as part of Global Economic Statecraft Day in June.

Eager to hear their stories, Ambassador Lenhardt met with several farmers from the Water Users Association and cheerily peppered them with questions about the training they had received, the types of seeds they use, and how they plan to invest their increased earnings. He also toured the Demonstration Plot, where the farmers received their training. 

While visiting with Victoria Urio, a progressive farmer who reported a 73 percent increase in her rice harvest as a result of Feed the Future interventions, the Ambassador stated, “The important work you do here has the potential to feed not just Tanzania, but all of Africa; Tanzania has more than enough land and water to become a bread basket for the region.” Veronica and her husband, Anaeli Urio engaged in a small experiment for their harvest this year. They each have 12 acres of land and Veronica planted the rice using the training, hybrid sees, and enhanced technology she learned through Feed the Future, while her husband used the traditional method of planting.

Veronica usually gets about 2.2 tons of rice per acre and this year she reaped 3.8 tons per acre—a substantial increase. Her husband’s harvest remained the same, with no increase. He intends to apply the technology and training to increase his yield next season. 

The Ambassador also visited the Dakawa Pump Station, which is the water source all 954 association members use for irrigating their crops. The Pump Station, which is using its original technology from the 1960’s, is severely outdated. Ambassador Lenhardt quickly identified the broken pumps and understood how much hard work had to be done to keep the few working pumps operating. He congratulated the farmers on their efforts to keep the Pump Station functioning for as long as they had. The Feed the Future Irrigation Project will break ground for a new Pump Station on September 15th. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place during October and President Kikwete has expressed interest in attending the important event. 

Ambassador Lenhardt returned to Dar es Salaam inspired by the work happening through Feed the Future and the potential for greater impact as the Initiative continues to scale up throughout the country. Additionally, the Ambassador will continue conversations with the Chinese about how to engage in meaningful work to benefit the Tanzanian people.

This press release originally appeared on the U.S. Embassy Tanzania website.