Tanzania pushes for sustainable land management to overcome drought, overgrazing, climate change threats

ULAANBAATAR: TANZANIA is pushing for sustainable management of grazing lands and soil resources as growing pressure from drought, overgrazing and climate change threatens livelihoods and food security.

Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Eng Hamad Yussuf Masauni, made the statement today, August 26, 2026, during a meeting on soil health and responsible fertiliser use held at the British Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as part of global efforts to combat desertification and drought.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister said the country is promoting sustainable grazing, participatory land-use planning, restoration of grazing areas, improved water infrastructure, drought early-warning systems and better livestock production.

“We are raising awareness on climate, development and investment, while promoting public-private partnerships to accelerate the restoration of grazing lands and ensure everyone takes responsibility for protecting the soil,” Eng Masauni said.

According to the minister, grazing areas are critical to Tanzania’s livestock production, food security, biodiversity, water resources and rural livelihoods.

“With a population estimated at 61.7 million, pressure on land, water and other natural resources continues to increase,” he said.

According to the 2022/23 Annual Agricultural Sample Survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Tanzania had about 8.97 million farming households, with 60.6 per cent engaged in livestock keeping, underscoring the importance of well-managed grazing areas to communities and the national economy.

However, Eng Masauni said grazing areas were facing increasing pressure from drought, land degradation, overgrazing, changes in land use, water shortages, forest fires and climate change.

He said Tanzania had responded by implementing the National Programme to Combat Desertification and Drought (2025–2030), which focuses on drought preparedness, early-warning systems and sustainable land management.

Additionally, Eng Masauni said the initiatives were also aligned with the National Development Vision 2050, particularly its third pillar on environmental conservation and climate resilience.

He said the pillar links restoration of grazing areas with livestock transformation, food security and enhanced resilience to climate change.

Eng Masauni is in Mongolia attending the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), which began on August 24, 2026.

The meeting brought together UK Special Representative to Mongolia Ruth Davis, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment Moses Vilakati and other representatives from various countries.