TANZANIA AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES

CLIMATIC ZONES; Are different regions found in the world that experience characteristics weather patterns.
Climatic zones are categorized based on weather, precipitation and temperature. Climatic zones for Agricultural
produce also its termed as Agro-climatic Zones. Tanzania has a tropical Climate and is divided into four main
climatic zones which are hot humid coastal plain, the semi-arid central plateau, the high rainfall lake regions, and
Crops grown in the zones.

1. HOT HUMID COASTAL PLAIN.

The zone covers the coastal areas of Tanzania. But generally, the climatic zone is characterized by high
temperature and humidity throughout the year. The zone can be determined by considering two sites, the North
site as well as south site. The North site is bimodal and,the South site is Unimodal. The growing seasons also
varies, to the north the growing season falls in October-December and March-June. The South growing season
falls in December-April. It is characterized by annual temperature averaging 27°C (81°F), with rainfall averaging
between 1000-2000 mm per year.

Regions: Includes, Tanga (except Lushoto), Pwani, Morogoro, Rufiji, Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar,
Eastern Lindi and Mtwara( except Makonde plateau).

Crops grown: Sisal, Cashew nuts, Ground nuts, Coco nuts, Sorghum, Sugar canes, Cloves, Coco nuts, Citrus
fruits.

Soil and Topography: Infertile sands on gently rolling uplands, Alluvial soils in Rufiji, Sand and infertile soils,
Fertile clays on uplands and river flood plains.

2. SEMI-ARID CENTRAL PLATEAU.

The zone is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a
desert climate. The zone is hot and dry with considerable daily and seasonal temperature variations. The zone is
determined through the precipitation threshold. The Semi- Arid is also described into two sites, the central site
as well as the southern site. The growing seasons in the zone took place in December-March. The amount of
rainfall is unimodal with an average (500mm-800mm).
Regions: Dodoma, Singida, parts of Manyara and Arusha; Chunya districts, Mbeya and Igunga district in
Tabora.
Crops grown; Sunflower, Maize, Cassava, Groundnuts, Sesame, Pigeon peas, Finger millet, Sorghum.
Soil and Topography; Central is undulating plains with rocky hills and low scarps. Well drained soils with low
fertility alluvialhardpan and saline soils in Eastern Rift Valle and Lake Eyasi, black cracking soils in
Shinyanga.Southern is flat or undulating plains with rocky hills, moderate fertile loams and clay, infertile sand
soils in center.

3. HIGH RAINFALL LAKE REGIONS.

These are regions which are faced with a lot of rainfall amount. Regions found under this zone experience
bimodal rainfall regime, meaning that the areas receive enough rainfall twice a year.The zone is around Lake
Victoria, and experiences the amount of rainfall of about 800mm-1200mm.
Regions;Mwanza,Kagera, Mara, Geita, Simiyu and Shinyaga.
Crops grown; Cotton, rice, tea, banana, coffee, sorghum and other crops.
Topography; Gently undulating, rolling to hills with some dissections.

4. TEMPERATE HIGHLANDS ZONE.

The highland temperate climates are a temperate local weather sub-type, although placed in tropical zone,
isothermal and with characteristics extraordinary from others temperate climates like oceanic or Mediterranean
where they are often are included barring applicable differentiation. The region is characterized by the moist
and temperate zones. It can be properly described with the aid of considering the two halves that it comprises
namely, the Southern Cold highlands and the North-East temperate highlands with a variety of variant and
variations in a variety of aspects.
 Southern Cold Temperate Highlands, highland areas observed in South-West of Tanzania at the
northern quit of Lake Malawi. The amount of Rainfall degrees from 823mm on the Ufipa Plateau to
2850mm on the slopes of Mount Rungwe and the Livingstone and Poroto Mountains dealing with Lake
Malawi. The highlands are cooler than the surrounding Lowlands with annual temperature between (13-
19)°C.
Regions; Mbeya, Njombe, Ruvuma and Songwe.
Crops grown; Maize, Tea, Coffee, Tobacco, Rice, Wheat, Irish Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Banana, Beans.
Topography and Soil; hills, lowland plateaus, fertile soil.
 North-East Temperate Highlands, The climate is warm with an common annual rainfall of 158mm.
They are bimodal rainfall regime, meaning that they acquire rainfall twice a year. The climate is cool in
high mountains regions with average most temperature of about 30°C recorded all through warm season
November- March and average minimal temperature of about 21°C recorded at some point of cool season
of June-October. Humidity is regularly high ranging from50%-80%.
Regions; Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Manyara.
Crops grown; Tea, Coffee, Banana, Sisal, Maize Wheat as well as horticultural crops.
Topography and Soil; Mountainous, gently undulating, .fertile soil
References
United Nations Development Programme (2019). Tanzania Agricultural Sector Analysis

Masuki, K. F., & Mbogoni, J. (April 2016). Agro-ecological zones of the lake zone, Tanzania. Research and
Development Institute Ukiriguru, Department of Research and Development Institute Ukiriguru. Mwanza:
ResearchGate.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2016). “Climate Smart Agriculture Country profiles: Tanzania”

National Soil Service (NSS), 2006. Rained agriculture crop suitability for Tanzania. Mlingano agricultural research institute,
Department of research and training, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Co-operatives Tanga, Tanzania,
November 2006