Tanzania's rice production is expected to increase by 150 per cent to 15,000 tonnes following the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure for 2,000 hectares this financial year.

The US is supporting the programme.

A document outlines a plan by the US on increasing food security in Tanzania.The US is supporting food security in Africa by disbursing Global Food Security Response funds. Through the initiative, 50,000 households

(300,000 people) in Tanzania will benefit from the US Agency for Development assistance this year.The report also shows that about 100km of feeder roads will be upgraded to facilitate the linkage of irrigation schemes with markets.

"The adoption of high yield seeds, use of fertiliser and improve of agronomic practices will increase maize and rice productivity and profitability by 20 per cent among farmers aided by the US.

The longer-term goal of the project is to raise annual food production by a quarter to 1.25 million tonnes.

Rufiji and Ruvu-Wami river basins will be among the beneficiaries of this year's US support for developing water management models based on sound monitoring that incorporates seasonal and inter-annual to decade climate information.

The authorities will use this information for agricultural development.

According to the report, over 100 extension officers will be trained in the use of climate information tools.