IN a bold step toward climate resilience and inclusive development, a new six-year initiative titled ‘Her Resilience, Our Planet (HROP)’ has been officially launched in Dodoma.

Spearheaded by CARE International Canada and CARE International Tanzania, and backed by a consortium of partners, the project seeks to empower rural women and youth through sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation solutions.Funded by the government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the project runs from 2024 to 2030 in five districts: Kilolo, Iringa, Mufindi, Wanging’ombe and Mbarali, located in Iringa, Njombe, and Mbeya regions.

With a target to reach of over 175,000 beneficiaries, 70 percent of them being women and 30 percent youth, HROP aims to strengthen local capacity for climate-smart farming, promote inclusive leadership and support environmental conservation as cornerstones of rural resilience. Speaking at the launch event yesterday on behalf of Minister for Agriculture, Deputy Minister David Silinde highlighted the alignment between the project and the government’s national priorities.

He said for the 2025/2026 financial year, the ministry has proposed 1.242trn/- budget to drive transformation in the sector.
This includes boosting productivity, increasing youth and women participation, strengthening food and nutrition security, expanding access to markets and finance, developing cooperatives and enhancing digital tools in agriculture.

 “These efforts are part of a broader national agenda to build climate resilience and economic sustainability.” he said. Canada’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Emily Burns, reaffirmed Canada’s long-standing commitment to supporting climate action and gender equity in Tanzania.

“Canada has invested 40.2bn/- in this project, which is designed to reach smallholder farmers, agripreneurs, and rural communities, particularly women and young people,” she said. She explained that participants will receive training in climate-resilient agricultural techniques, support for agribusiness development, and leadership opportunities.

The project will also offer financial literacy education and access to productive inputs, enabling farmers to shift from survival-based farming to active engagement in climate solutions and economic growth.
Prudence Masako, Country Director, CARE Tanzania, emphasised that the success of the project depends on strong and sustained collaboration.

“CARE Tanzania is committed to working hand-in-hand with the government to implement policies and development strategies that truly uplift communities. Through accountability, innovation, and a focus on meaningful results, we aim to create transformative change in the lives of Tanzanians,” she said.

HROP initiative is being implemented in collaboration with a wide network of partners, including WWF Tanzania, SAGCOT Centre Ltd, Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP), Shahidi wa Maji and the Conservation Farming Unit (CFU) Tanzania.

Together, these organisations combine their expertise in conservation, agriculture and gender empowerment to deliver a holistic, community-driven response to the climate crisis. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, HROP represents a timely and strategic investment in Tanzania’s most affected populations.

By putting women at the centre of climate action, the project not only supports environmental protection but also unlocks new pathways to economic empowerment and social equity.