The project started with 67 maize management training plots (MTPs) of about a half-hectare each in the northern highlands.  Because the MTP was as big as most farmers' fields, participating farmers could realistically assess the labour and inputs that the new technology required.  The number of MTPs jumped to 1,087 the following season.

Between 1989 and 1998, 40,000 small-scale farmers and over 1,000 extension staff participated in MTPs. Average maize yields ranging from 4.5 to 5.1 t/ha—compared with the national average yield of around 1.3 t/ha. In addition, several thousand MTPs of sorghum, pigeon pea, and other legumes were grown, also producing yields significantly higher than those obtained with traditional farming methods.

The improvement of post harvest technologies was another major component of KSG 2000 project.  KSG 2000 taught farmers to prevent spoilage by placing the improved linkage on a covered platform to keep the stored grain from absorbing soil moisture and to protect it from the sun's heat.

Extension officers were trained in the MTP technology and the recommended crop production packages. They, in turn, passed on the technical information to participating farmers. Training was given to the MTP “cluster” comprised of the immediate farmer and ten neighbours monitoring progress. MTP operations were launched in 1989 in the Arusha region. During the first season, 67 maize MTPs were grown by farmers. In 1989/90 the programme was extended to 6 regions, and the next season a seventh region was added. Rural primary schools were also incorporated in the programme: in 1991, some 122 rural schools had MTP on their grounds.

After 1995, the focus of the project shifted from demonstration to more generalized support for the extension services as well as small-scale farmers.  Promotion of intercropping with maize and legumes reduced farmers' risk compared with monocropping.

The introduction of improved post harvest grain storage and oxenisation technologies among Tanzania’s small-scale farmers were two of the new priorities for extension in the coming years. SG 2000 assistance included financial support for in-service training of frontline extension staff in recommended post harvest and animal equipment as well as to construct and equip on-farm demonstration sites.

In 1996, the SG 2000 project in Tanzania entered into Phase Two of the programme activity, which involved much fuller management integration within the Ministry of Agriculture.
Tanzania’s post harvest programme had become a regional showpiece, with extensionists visiting from Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia. In 1996, SG 2000’s contributions were reduced to technical support.

Clearly the programme had an impact on the maize yields at the district level, “but people who were originally involved in the scheme have had to face up to the reality of paying for their inputs at much higher rates,” comments Dr. Abu-Michael Foster who took the country directorship in 1995 after Dr. Quinones moved to Ethiopia. “They have adjusted to the level they can afford and make a profit. Fertilizer is certainly not being used as extensively as it used to be.”
In fact, take up of fertilizer at farm level was restricted by its exorbitant cost following the removal of subsidies—rather than by any lack of availability.
“Overall, those stockists who have stayed in the business have seen significant improvement. The concept of a private network of professional stockists has taken roots.”

Food imports requirements for 1998 were estimated at 700,000 tons for maize, 28,000 for wheat and 22,000 for beans. In 1997, the main programme components were maize-pigeon pea intercropping systems, animal traction, phosphorus enriched compost making, post harvest technology and savings and credit cooperative societies.

One problem has been how to move agricultural intensification higher up on Tanzania’s development agenda. This formed the basis of discussions between Dr Borlaug, SG 2000 Supervisor for Tanzania; Dr Marco Quinones, and the Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye and his principal advisors. “Tanzania has an enormous potential for intensified agricultural production,” says Quinones. “If the existing impediment are removed, agriculture will move forward rapidly.”

In 1998, SG 2000 officially ceased its direct field activities, but the policy level intervention continued. 

There were mixed results in the 1998/99 crop season. The highlands enjoyed good harvests, but the lowlands had drought. Overall the country did not produce enough food to cater for the national needs, and some areas were food insecure. The Government was very concerned with the future outlook as a result of the failure of the rains.

The Government’s response to the soil fertility problem was the Soil Fertility Recapitalization and Agricultural Intensification Project (SOFRAIP). “The core of the technical side of SOFRAIP was developed by SG 2000 staff, at the request of the Tanzanian government and with the approval of the World Bank,” says Quinones. The project would pay a particular attention to HIV/AIDS awareness and coping mechanisms, such as labour-saving technologies for affected households.

The SAA Board of Directors approved a re-establishment of selected SG 2000 activities in Tanzania. An office has been reopened after two years of closure and Dr Quinones planed to spend several months a year in the country, working with Tanzanian and World Bank colleagues to implement SOFRAIP. SAA also added new professional staff to backstop SG 2000 efforts.
In addition, the SAFE programme continued to support the Bsc course for mid-career extension workers at Sokoine University. 
Unfortunately, SG 2000’s previous efforts to help establish a more permanent system of input delivery and commercial output marketing for basic foods were not successful. SOFRAIP, with a total budget exceeding US$90 million over 4 years, reflected a new determination of the Government of Tanzania to overcome food insecurity and reduce poverty. “We are confident, based on our experience of the country,” says Quinones, “that SOFRAIP will help Tanzania’s agricultural sector turn the corner.”

SOFRAIP was expected to be operational by July 2002, but the project had been changed, and became PADEP (Participatory Agricultural Development and Empowerment Project), which was operational in mid 2003.

In 2002, 16 districts were selected as pilot districts for the first year implementation of PADEP.  In October and November, intensive field hands-on training to extension staff and farmers were carried out in preparation for the planting season.  SG 2000 actively participated in the delivery of these training activities.

One new activity was the introduction of QPM varieties and hybrids. Another was the introduction of Chinese-based water harvest and drip irrigation technologies. SG 2000 was asked to stay active in the PADEP project, once it was approved by the World Bank, including pilot testing of new crop technology alternatives and in assisting fields supervision to endure the effective demonstrations of the technologies selected by the farmers’ groups for its promotion.

PADEP was implemented in 26 districts of mainland Tanzania and on the islands of Zanzibar. The project’s target was to reach an estimated 500,000 smallholder farmers in about 840 villages. In the 2002/03 crop season, SG 200 continued to demonstrate soil fertility restoration technologies and began demonstrations of QPM.