Dar es SalaamTanzania needs a whopping Sh33 trillion to boost growth in the agricultural sector and effectively transform its food systems over the next seven years, according to a key meeting held over the weekend.
Various stakeholders, who participated in the Tanzania Food Systems Partners Dialogue and Workshop in Dar es Salaam, this weekend highlighted the launch of the “Agenda 10/30 Investment Roadmap for Accelerating Agricultural Growth in Tanzania”.
In a nutshell, the concept of Agenda 10/30 aims to achieve growth of more than 10 percent for the agricultural sector by 2030.
Organised by Agra, the event brought together government officials, private sector representatives, farmer organisations and development partners.
The agenda mainly focused on identifying key priorities and investment opportunities to transform Tanzania’s food systems.
The “Agenda 10/30 Investment Roadmap to Accelerate Agricultural Growth in Tanzania” is expected to be a key theme at the upcoming African Food Systems (AFS) Forum to be held later this year in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The total cost of implementing the Agenda 10/30 initiative is estimated at Sh33 trillion,” says the Agenda 10/30 Investment Roadmap for Accelerating Agricultural Growth in Tanzania.
Of this, the government will have to find Sh18 trillion, mainly to cover fertilizers, subsidies for improved seeds and mechanisation and irrigation costs.
The remaining Sh15 trillion is to be funded by members of the private sector and will be spent on fertilisers, improved seeds, mechanisation, pesticides and storage solutions.
Development partners are expected to contribute Sh348 billion, which will be channelled into farmer mobilisation and registration, extension services, marketing and branding efforts, and research initiatives.
“Following the Dar es Salaam dialogue, Agra is committed to supporting Tanzanian food systems in various critical aspects,” said former Ethiopian Prime Minister and Chairman of the Agra Board, Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn.
Agra has pledged $40 million to support Tanzania’s agriculture and livestock sectors under the government’s Building a Better Future initiative.
The investment aims to stimulate growth and development in these crucial sectors.
In partnership with the government and the National Seed Investment Plan, Agra is committed to ensuring the delivery of sustainable technologies for future agricultural systems.
This collaboration aims to improve productivity and efficiency, thereby promoting a more resilient agricultural landscape.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Hussein Bashe, stressed the need to reform financial systems to facilitate access to agricultural loans for young people.
“We need a new approach to lending that targets young people and takes into account their ability to repay,” Mr Bashe said.
“The current system is holding back agricultural development and discouraging young people.”
He also stressed the importance for international institutions to recognize the unique economic contexts of African nations compared to Western “supermarket economies.”
He advocated for a loan system that supports youth engagement in agriculture without requiring unattainable collateral.
“Telling graduates to have money or collateral instead of looking at their project and then lending to them disrupts the good intention of providing jobs to young people,” he said.
Mr Bashe also called on the central bank to implement a vigorous agricultural policy to revitalize youth participation in agriculture.
This policy should enable young people to borrow and have sufficient time to repay, thus addressing the critical issues of food security and youth unemployment.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of building a sustainable food system capable of coping with climate change and ensuring food security for future generations.
Participants emphasized investment in productive agriculture, water conservation and sustainable farming methods.
They also called for closer collaboration between government and the private sector to create a better business environment for farmers.
Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Hussein Omar, stressed the importance of achieving these goals through a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector and strong coordination of stakeholders.
“With cooperation and appropriate investment, Tanzania can build a sustainable food system that ensures the well-being of its society today and for future generations,” Dr Omar said.
In addition to launching the 10/30 Agricultural Investment Agenda investment map, the workshop was used to present the priorities of Tanzania’s new National Agriculture Master Plan, which aims to transform the country’s agricultural sector.
These initiatives aim to build resilience, increase productivity and ensure sustainable food systems in Tanzania.
