Establishment and objectives
Rice Council of Tanzania (RCT) is an independent, private sector-led body established to strengthen coordination, representation, and development of the rice industry in Tanzania. The Council was formed in 2014 following extensive consultations among stakeholders in the rice value chain, who recognized the urgent need for a unified and legitimate voice to champion the interests of rice sector actors and drive strategic sectoral growth.
The establishment of RCT was the culmination of years of work initiated under the Tanzanian Rice Partnership (TARIPA), which was launched in 2011 as part of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) initiative. TARIPA served as the first cluster-based model for rice sector transformation, starting with the Kilombero Cluster and later expanding to Dakawa and Mbarali. The initiative sought to bring together diverse partners to address systemic constraints and unlock opportunities across the rice value chain.
Originally housed under the USAID-funded NAFAKA project, TARIPA functioned as an informal platform facilitating information exchange, partnership incubation, and stakeholder coordination. However, as challenges in the rice sector became more complex including market inefficiencies, poor post-harvest practices, policy gaps, and the need for reliable data stakeholders called for a more structured and independent institution.
In response, a multi-stakeholder task force was formed in 2013 to explore the creation of a formalized body that would take forward TARIPA’s vision. With technical support from the GATSBY Foundation and active engagement from the Government of Tanzania and private sector actors, this process led to the birth of the Rice Council of Tanzania in early 2014.
RCT was established with the following core objectives:
- To provide a unified voice and representation for rice sector actors in policy engagement and advocacy
- To coordinate value chain actors and promote inclusive cluster development across rice-producing regions
- To improve the competitiveness, quality, and sustainability of the rice value chain in Tanzania
- To facilitate partnerships, innovation, and investment aimed at modernizing rice production, processing, and marketing
- To manage sector data, knowledge, and information for evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning
Since its inception, the RCT has become the recognized national platform for rice stakeholders and a credible counterpart for government, development partners, and the private sector. It works to enhance collaboration and sector-wide alignment, supporting Tanzania’s ambition to become self-sufficient in rice production and a competitive player in regional and global markets.
With strong foundations in partnership, evidence-based planning, and private sector leadership, the Rice Council of Tanzania stands as a cornerstone institution for sustainable rice sector transformation.
Our work and impact
Rice Council of Tanzania (RCT) has been instrumental in transforming the rice sector over the past 11 years by fostering inclusive dialogue, building institutional capacity, and driving evidence-based advocacy across 21 key rice-producing districts. Through strategic support to District Rice Value Chain Platforms, RCT has empowered local actors to identify and advocate for pressing policy issues while enhancing coordination with Local Government Authorities. National forums and leadership trainings have bridged local voices with national decision-making processes, ensuring grassroots concerns shape policy direction. RCT’s work in research and policy development—spanning seed systems, crop cess harmonization, and cross-border trade—has laid the groundwork for systemic reforms. Seasonal rice market surveys and production trend analyses have strengthened market intelligence, enabling data-driven planning and forecasting. In protecting the seed system, RCT has launched awareness campaigns to curb the spread of unapproved breeder seeds. Notably, the Council’s cross-border trade study, covering 11 key border posts, has spotlighted trade barriers and facilitated dialogue with regional partners, particularly the DRC. Through consistent engagement in national and regional forums, RCT has amplified its influence, forging partnerships that support the competitiveness and resilience of Tanzania’s rice value chain—placing smallholder farmers at the forefront of sector transformation.
Institutional Governance
The Board of Trustees is the apex organ mandated at providing overall institutional leadership, tackling bigger issues (providing direction, mission, staffing issues etc.) and general governance related matters. The board is composed of seven (7) members distributed across four categories namely public sector, private sector, civil society and academia. The list and profiles of current members of the board of trustees is provided on board members section within about us menu. Day to day operations are managed by the Executive Director and his team of staff is indicated on staff sub section within about us menu.
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Vision
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