Strengthening Food Systems: WFP Hands Over Community Warehouses to Boost Post-Harvest Management in Kigoma

In an effort to strengthen post-harvest management, the United Nations World Food Programme in Tanzania (WFP), with support from the governments of Ireland and Norway, has handed over five community warehouses to district councils in Kibondo, Uvinza, Kasulu, and Kakonko across Kigoma Region.

The initiative saw the rehabilitation of four existing warehouses and the construction of a new warehouse in Nyarugusu village, Kibondo District. Each warehouse is designed to serve approximately 1,500 farmers in its juristiction, offering an average storage capacity of 350 metric tons. These facilities are a critical investment towards improving post-harvest management, food quality, and rural market access.

Previously, farmers stored their harvested crops at home, where conditions made it difficult to maintain quality, safety, and proper inventory management. Through this intervention, WFP has supported the rehabilitation and construction of safe, modern storage facilities and supplied essential aggregation equipment. This ensures that farmers have access to secure storage spaces that meet crop quality standards, contributing to reduced post-harvest losses, improved market prices, and enhanced food security within the region.

The official handover ceremonies were graced by district leaders including Dr. Semistatus Mashimba, District Executive Director (DED) for Kasulu District; Mr. Albert Fatakanwa, representing the DED of Kibondo District; and Mr. Japhet Njawala, Acting DED of Uvinza District. The leaders commended WFP’s commitment to strengthening local food systems and supporting smallholder farmers, reaffirming their councils' responsibility in managing and sustaining the facilities for community benefit.A

This milestone forms part of WFP’s broader efforts to build rural resilience and promote sustainable agricultural practices in Tanzania, ensuring small holder farmers not only secure their harvests but also increase household incomes through better market opportunities