Tanzania’s plan to grow lush forests from forgotten trees

Tanzania is targeting the regeneration of 100 million trees by 2030 under an ambitious environmental restoration programme aimed at reversing land degradation, improving agricultural productivity and strengthening rural communities against climate change. The target forms part of the second phase of the Kisiki Hai programme, which has already facilitated the regeneration of more than 32.3 million trees and brought over 500,000 hectares of land under restoration since its launch in 2017. Implemented by LEAD Foundation in partnership with Justdiggit, the initiative aims to expand restoration activities to one million hectares by 2030, building on a farmer-led approach involving more than 200,000 farming households in over 650 villages in Tanzania Unlike conventional tree-planting campaigns, Kisiki Hai promotes farmer-managed natural regeneration, a technique that involves protecting and managing shoots emerging from existing tree stumps and root systems. The Kisiki Hai approach, which is particularly effective in arid and semi-arid areas where water is scarce and planted trees have very low survival rates, allows trees to regenerate naturally, reducing the cost of planting and maintaining seedlings while improving soil fertility, controlling erosion and supporting agricultural production. LEAD Foundation Programme Director Njamas Chiwanga said the next phase would build on the programme's achievements through expanded partnerships with government institutions, development organisations and local communities. The initiative has so far trained more than 3,000 champion farmers who help transfer practical restoration knowledge to other farmers. Activities currently cover parts of Dodoma, Singida, Arusha and Manyara, with plans to strengthen rainwater harvesting, soil conservation and community participation. Justdiggit Tanzania Country Manager Mary Sengelela said the programme identifies participating villages based on the availability of regenerating tree stumps, community willingness and support from local authorities. She said champion farmers play a central role in spreading restoration techniques, with the programme aiming to have at least one trained champion in every hamlet. The second phase will also expand access to the Kijani digital application, free downloadable on smart phones, which provides farmers and livestock keepers with practical guidance on tree restoration. Farmers report improved harvests Beyond environmental restoration, the programme is transforming farming practices and livelihoods in participating communities. In Makondai Village, 60-year-old farmer Nehemia Wilson Kutosha recalled initially resisting the idea of allowing trees to grow on farmland, fearing they would compete with crops for space and nutrients. “When we were first introduced to Kisiki Hai and taught how to manage living tree stumps, I was among those who resisted the idea,” he said. However, training by champion farmers helped him understand how selecting and pruning suitable trees could improve farmland without interfering with crop production. Another farmer, Mwamini Kutosha, 50, said her land had previously suffered from declining fertility and severe erosion, limiting her ability to cultivate crops other than groundnuts. After adopting natural tree regeneration and water-conservation techniques in 2018, she said the condition of her farm improved significantly, allowing her to grow maize and sunflower. “The trees provide firewood, charcoal and organic matter that improves soil fertility. My farm can now support crops such as maize and sunflower much better,” she said. Similarly, Lucas Chipang’a, another farmer from Makondai, has allocated approximately 12 acres to tree regeneration. He said the restored trees provide timber, fuelwood and materials for livestock enclosures, reducing his dependence on surrounding forests. The experiences highlight how restoring trees on agricultural land can deliver environmental benefits while improving household livelihoods and reducing pressure on natural forests. Expanding restoration efforts The programme's expansion comes as Tanzania seeks to address land degradation, soil erosion and the growing effects of climate change on agricultural communities. By combining natural tree regeneration with rainwater harvesting and erosion-control techniques, Kisiki Hai aims to restore degraded landscapes while improving the long-term productivity of farmland. Chiwanga said collaboration among government, communities and development partners would be critical to achieving the ambitious 2030 targets. Carbon-credit projects based on regenerated trees are gaining momentum, but the programme has so far not engaged in such projects. Senior Forestry Officer in the Vice-President's Office (Environment), Timoth Mande, said any future carbon initiative would require proper measurement and verification of the amount of carbon absorbed by restored trees. For now, however, the programme's immediate focus remains on scaling up tree regeneration and helping farmers benefit from healthier soils, improved water retention and more productive agricultural land. With more than 32 million trees already regenerated, the next phase represents a significant expansion of efforts to restore degraded landscapes through community-led conservation.