7 International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies (IJPSAT) ISSN: 2509-0119. © 2019 International Journals of Sciences and High Technologies http://ijpsat.ijsht-journals.org Vol. 13 No. 1 February 2019, pp. 89-97 Corresponding Author: Dr. Benedicto William Msangya 89 The Contribution of Agricultural Aid from the USAID Projects on Boosting Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case of Mvomero District, Tanzania Dr. Benedicto William Msangya Department of Education, College of Science and Education, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania Abstract - The agricultural sector in Tanzania is one of the important sectors in the country receiving a considerable amount of international aid which is believed to improve the overall wellbeing of farmers and the entire rural society. The main objective of the study was to critically examine the contribution of agricultural aid from the USAID project on boosting farmers’ livelihoods. The findings of this study are hoped to form a resource base for sharing experiences, lessons and best practices that will assist different development stakeholders in creating and managing development aids. The field research tools included the semi structured questionnaire (on small scale farmers) and interview guides (on key informants). Analysis of qualitative data was through displays of the respondent's direct responses, and statistical analysis was done using a computerized programme SPSS and more manipulations with the use of Ms Excel in drawing graphs. The findings revealed that there were a number of achievements registered by the USAID agricultural projects on improving the livelihood of small scale farmers. These included training of farmers in improved farming methods, introducing modern farming technologies and improvements in infrastructure which all increased agricultural production and improved the productivity of farmers. Education of farmers on improved farming practices is important in increasing food availability. Improvements in rural infrastructure such as constructing roads eases farmers movements to and fro the markets. Provision of farming equipments enhances farmer’s productivity. Agricultural aid has been successful in improving agriculture in the project implementation areas by increasing agricultural production and improving agricultural productivity of farmers. Keywords - Agricultural Aid, Small Scale Farmers, Mvomero, Tanzania I. INTRODUCTION Tanzania is one of the developing countries in Sub- Saharan Africa which receives both bilateral and multilateral aids from different countries, agencies and international multilateral organizations (Cook, 2011; URT, 2005). As Tanzania is still a country whose economy largely depends on the agriculture sector and where majority of the population are living in rural areas and depend on agriculture as a source of livelihood (Mintz-Habib, 2016; URT, 2005), development aids in agriculture constitute a significant share of the development aids flowing into the country from different development partners (Alabi, 2014; Wolter, 2008;URT, 2005). Agriculture gained recognition on the development agenda by the late 1960's. The provision of resources to the agricultural sector was expected to result in greater outputs and productivity which would boost the economy (Tarp, 2000). Since the sector is believed to have quite a large number of poor people, aid is normally directed to this sector on the premise of increasing the productivity of the small farmers and making the small scale farmers more efficient and thus, improvement of the welfare of the poor (Thorbecke, 2000). Tanzania has been undergoing different reforms in the social and economic sectors since when it achieved its