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Read the 2025 mid-year report created by WeForest to show how the project in Tanzania is progressing.
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When we entered our partnership with WeForest to grow 3 million native trees in Tanzania, we wanted to support a project that would have wide-ranging benefits for people, communities, and the planet.
Because they all go hand-in-hand.
In the area of the Mahale Mountain National Park, around 95% of people rely on some form of agriculture as a source of income. That makes them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate breakdown, as warmer temperatures and high rainfall damage crop production and soil health.
EF is the multi-year partner in WeForest’s agroforestry project in Tanzania, which aims to tackle some of the challenges facing local farmers. In addition to supporting biodiversity and carbon sequestration, the project also supports farmers through an environmental education program.
This education program provides farmers with the knowledge and skills to farm in a way that diversifies their crops and maintains soil health, contributing to greater production and higher income for farmers and their families, while also preventing soil run-off and water pollution.
By 2029, the project aims to support 1,500 local farmers, providing them with vital skills to pass on to future generations, ensuring people and nature coexist for years to come.
Below, we have featured four farmers from the project who are already experiencing the benefits of the agroforestry system and the environmental education program.
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Dismas Albankulu – Kashagulu village
I have been facing many challenges in recent years, including cattle destroying many of my crops and low production, meaning lower income for me and my family.
During the training, I have learned how to plant trees and how to look after them. The training I went through seemed like a great opportunity for me. Agroforestry will provide me with fruits and timber that will benefit my family.
Agroforestry promises a lot of benefits. Now, I am growing half an acre of timber, another half acre of fruit orchard, and 1.5 acres of peas interspersed with my ground nuts and maize.
The way my farm looks now gives me hope for a good harvest season.
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Iddy Haruna Majeka – Kalya village
Thanks to the Mahale agroforestry project, I have received tree seedlings and education on how to improve my farming methods.
Before the Mahale Agroforestry Project, I had a normal life and I was facing some challenges: I used to farm one type of crop and my crop productivity would be low. Thanks to the trees and the training that I have received, I am confident that I will diversify my income and my crop productivity will increase.
For example within this half acre of timber woodlot, I can plant cassava and expect different types of harvest. I will be harvesting wood and cassava to sell at the market.
When your income is low you go through a lot of challenges, but when the income increases, you are reducing your life challenges. For me, it means that I will be able to afford all basic needs for my family.
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Dayness Nocolaus – Sibwesa village
I am a mother of four and my main sources of income are agriculture and entrepreneurship. I sell dried fish, palm oil, and vegetables.
I am facing many challenges in agriculture, such as lack of knowledge and skills, climate change, and low crop productivity. Thanks to the agroforestry scheme, I have learned so many things.
I have learned that growing trees provides wood and fruits you can sell to increase income. We received training on composting, which has helped me to understand fertilization. I also learned how to plan my farm for better production and how to make animal feed on our farm with the agroforestry system.
But I also learned how getting the right education can help you face life’s challenges. I was struggling to make a living, but now I have learned so much to make my farm more productive and help me in generating a greater income.
Agroforestry has had a huge impact for my family. They will be secured with enough food and my neighborhood will benefit from the knowledge I gained from the Mahale Agroforestry Project.
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Juma Swagala Mwanumwe – Lufubu village
Previously, I would farm without following any agricultural procedures and some years I would get a very small harvest. This made it even harder to look after my seven children.
I have attended agroforestry trainings, where I have learned the multiple benefits of trees: From fruit trees to the use of acaica trees as a fence to protect my farm from animals. I will be able to improve my living standards by selling wood and fruits at the market.
Through agroforestry, I have learned how to organize my farm by planting trees and crops, and I have learned how to make compost and prevent diseases from ruining my crops.
Each of these testimonials is the story of a real person who is benefitting from our partnership with WeForest. But it’s more than that. As Dayness said, this benefits whole families, whole neighborhoods, and entire communities.
Since the project began, nearly 155,000 seedlings have been distributed to local farmers, and over 100 farmers have attended environmental education training. As the project continues to grow, its impact will continue to ripple outwards, supporting people, communities, and the planet.