Location: Mzuri Vigwaza Farm, Tanzania

In a landmark move to address land degradation and boost climate resilience in East Africa, a four-way partnership was solidified this week at the Mzuri Vigwaza Farm. On November 24, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Mzuri Africa, the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the African Conservation Tillage Network (ACTN), and Poland-based Mzuri World.

The ceremony marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration designed to transform the Vigwaza Farm into an accredited Innovation Hub for Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization. The guest of honour was the Coast Regional Commissioner Alhaj Abubakar Kunenge, who was represented by the Bagamoyo District Commissioner.

Addressing the Crisis of Degradation

The partnership comes at a critical time for Tanzania. Despite the known benefits of Conservation Agriculture (CA), adoption rates remain low, with only 32,600 hectares currently under CA out of the 13 million hectares cultivated nationwide. Statistics indicate that nearly two-thirds of Tanzania's land faces degradation, with 24% attributed to unsuitable farming practices that destroy soil structure.

Speaking at the ceremony, representatives emphasized that the current challenges—including erratic climate patterns and low productivity—present extraordinary opportunities for transformation.

The Technology: Mzuri Pro-Till 3T Select

Central to this initiative is the deployment of the Mzuri Pro-Till 3T Select, a strip-tillage machine manufactured by Mzuri World, which already distributes to over 40 countries. The technology is designed to reverse soil damage by performing three critical tasks simultaneously:

• Opening narrow furrows without turning the whole soil profile, preserving structure.
• Residue Retention, leaving crop residue on the surface to retain moisture and stimulate microbial activity.
• Precise planting and fertilizing, placing inputs accurately while covering the seed.

The efficiency gains are significant. The machine boasts a capacity of 5–7 acres per hour (50–70 acres per day), drastically reducing fuel consumption, labor requirements, and time compared to conventional methods.

A New Model for Mechanization: SAMS Centres

Beyond just technology transfer, the MoU outlines a robust framework for institutional cooperation. The African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT) announced that the collaboration aims to establish Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization Service Centres (SAMS Centres).

These centres are designed to bridge the gap between technology availability and field-level adoption by providing:

• Machinery access for farmers.

• Training and advisory services.

• Quality assurance standards for long-term success.

The Vigwaza Farm will serve as the flagship "ACT-accredited Mechanization Innovation Hub," acting as a national and regional model of excellence.

Strategic Goals and 2050 Vision

The collaboration aligns with Tanzania’s Agriculture Master Plan, which aims to triple the area under conservation agriculture to 100,000 hectares by 2050.

"Our vision is clear: an Africa where farmers produce more with less—less soil disturbance, less environmental impact, less drudgery—while achieving higher yields," stated the ACT Executive Director Eng. Saidi Mkomwa during the signing.

The partnership leverages the unique strengths of each member: ACT’s continental leadership, Mzuri Afrika’s national footprint, SUA’s academic prowess, and Mzuri World’s technological innovation. Together, they will conduct joint research, establish demonstration plots, and prepare proposals to source funding for scaling these climate-smart solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Partners: Mzuri Africa, SUA, ACT, Mzuri World.

• Objective: Promote strip tillage and sustainable mechanization to address climate change.

• Innovation: Vigwaza Farm to become a specialized Innovation Hub and testing ground.

• Impact: Targeting increased food security, household income, and resilience against climate variability.