The government of Tanzania and private sector have announced a commitment in enhancing share of global trade in agriculture. Prof Siza Tumbo, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture said the move aims to benefit of the smallholder farmers who comprise the majority population.
Speaking at the opening of the 2021 Agribusiness Deal room in-country launch for Tanzania, an event organised by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) recently, Prof Siza said the more exports of agricultural goods would lead to significant productivity, leading to the creation of agriculture driven wealth among smallholder farmers.
“It is paramount for Tanzania to gain more access to the global market for agriculture produce so as to propel smallholder farmers to increase production significantly and be able to compete by lowering prices while still earning comfortable profit margins,” he noted.
Strong public-private partnerships
Prof Tumbo cited soybeans exports in 2019/21 of 3500 tonnes, but in 2020/21 rose to 60,000 tonnes after concerted public-private partnership efforts. Such a milestone indicates other crops can find markets worldwide, and join the traditional agricultural exports like tea, coffee, tobacco, cotton, and cashew nuts.
He further called for strong public-private partnerships (PPPs) at home and, on the other hand, with investors from around the world to make sure Tanzania agriculture produces reliable markets from around the globe.
“Our strategy is to become more competitive by increasing productivity,” he noted.
The Agribusiness Deal Room is a matchmaking platform at the annual African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), which will take place in Nairobi from September 6th 2021. The AGRA Tanzania Country Manager, Mr Vianey Rweyendela explained that the deal room enables public and private sector as well as investors to link up to transform small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agribusiness into bigger enterprises that can support big numbers of smallholder farmers.
It makes the whole value chain more profitable. “We aim to reach more smallholder farmers. Partnerships that promote inclusiveness agribusiness growth are essential,” he said.
Private sector representative Mr Geoffrey Kirenga, also Southern Agricultural Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) Chief Executive Officer noted that the private sector in Tanzania works closely with smallholder farmers, and public and private sector partnerships are vital for growth.
