Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, employing around 80% of the workforce and shaping rural communities. Food security, sustainable land use, and soil conservation are central to improving livelihoods in the Udzungwa landscape. Therefore, we promote sustainable land-use practices that protect forests while ensuring a better living. By working closely with local farmers, we support agriculture that is both productive and environmentally responsible – helping communities adapt to climate change and reduce pressure on natural resources. The integration of agriculture, conservation, and community development in our agroforestry programmes creates lasting solutions that benefit both people and nature.
Our Approach
Our agroforestry programs aim to:
- Restore tree cover and reduce deforestation
- Protect soils, water sources, and biodiversity
- Improve food security and diversify incomes
- Promote climate-smart farming practices
- Support long-term resilience through community-led solutions
Our activities
We work directly with farmers and communities to:
- Establish tree nurseries and produce quality seedlings
- Promote indigenous and multipurpose tree species
- Provide training and ongoing technical support
- Encourage sustainable and climate-smart land management
- Monitor and support long-term tree growth
These actions create practical alternatives to forest exploitation while strengthening local economies.
Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods
We link conservation with income generation by promoting high-value crops and sustainable farming systems. Agroforestry allows farmers to increase productivity while restoring ecosystems—creating benefits for both people and the environment. MACCO also introduced a new approach to nursery management. Out of 10 nurseries established, 7 were designed as income-generating units, selling seedlings to farmers.
We also support community-based initiatives such as cooperative development, knowledge exchange, and farmer training, helping to build strong, self-sustaining local systems.
Innovation & Community Initiatives
To expand its agroforestry programme, with the support of Fondazione Foresta Futura (FFF), MACCO established community tree nurseries in four villages in Mlimba District, not included under ULS. Forty farmers (10 per village) were selected and engaged to manage the nurseries at village level, ensuring local ownership and cost efficiency by aligning activities with other ongoing interventions.
MACCO also received funding from Pennsylvania State University and the Hamer Foundation to promote agroforestry practices and sustainable cooking systems in five villages across Kilombero and Kilosa Districts. The project applies participatory land-use planning in these villages to improve access to local resources and reduce dependence on external inputs. It also promotes sustainable land management practices within designated agricultural and reforestation areas, positioning the villages as models for replication elsewhere. Under this project, seedlings were distributed directly to farmers or planted along riverbanks to support ecosystem restoration and watershed protection.
Cocoa farming and conservation
Cocoa farming offers strong potential to improve rural livelihoods while supporting environmental conservation. In the Kilombero landscape, farmers often face challenges such as limited access to quality seedlings, lack of training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and dependence on forest resources, which can contribute to deforestation.
The Sustain Eco project, implemented by MACCO with support from the African Wildlife Foundation, promotes sustainable cocoa production in six villages of Mngeta Ward. The project strengthens farmer capacity through training in GAP, the establishment of community-run nurseries led by youth and women, and support across the full production cycle.
By increasing cocoa productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices, the project links improved incomes with forest conservation, fostering long-term environmental and economic resilience in the region.
MACCO also secured funding from Rete Clima, an Italian network supporting sustainable development, decarbonization, circular economy, and reforestation initiatives, to strengthen sustainable cocoa production, improve household incomes, and reduce pressure on forest resources in Msimba Village (Mikumi Ward). The project provides Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training and distributes high-quality cocoa seedlings through community-managed nurseries, alongside additional tree seedlings for domestic use. MACCO conducted baseline assessments, delivered training to 50 farmers, identified suitable plots, and established a cocoa nursery.
Through a cost-sharing approach, 5,000 seedlings were produced – exceeding the initial target of 1,500 – demonstrating strong community engagement. Farmers contributed materials for nursery establishment, while the project provided technical support and equipment, fostering ownership and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Ethno-botanical garden at UEMC
MACCO launched an ethnobotanical garden and stingless beekeeping (meliponiculture) initiative in Mang’ula Ward, Kilombero District, thanks to a grant from Viaggi & Miraggi, an Italian tour operator and MACCO’s partner in ecotourism. The project aims to generate income through seedling and honey production, support ecosystem conservation, reduce reliance on forest resources, and promote sustainable livelihoods. It also raises awareness of traditional medicine and ecosystem services among local communities and visiting eco-tourists.
The project combines environmental restoration, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable