Dar es Salaam. Integrating clean energy into agriculture and small-scale production could significantly cut costs, increase output, and improve livelihoods across rural Tanzania, according to new research under the Sustainable Use of Renewable Energy for Production (PURE) project.
The findings were presented at the weekend by project coordinator Jensen Shuma during a stakeholders’ workshop in Dar es Salaam.
The study shows that renewable energy—particularly solar—can power a wide range of agricultural and processing activities more reliably, affordably, and sustainably than fuel-powered generators.
The research assessed eight agricultural value chains: bananas, tomatoes, fisheries, dairy, mangoes, livestock, poultry and cassava, examining how renewable energy can enhance productivity and profitability for farmers and small producers.
“We gathered data from the four pilot regions—Kilimanjaro, Dodoma, Coast and Dar es Salaam—that helped us prepare investment decision documents for stakeholders,” Mr Shuma said.
He noted that clean energy technologies can effectively power many agricultural and processing activities, lowering reliance on grid electricity, which frequently experiences outages.
Such disruptions, he said, lead to losses, particularly among dairy producers whose products are highly perishable.
“By using renewable energy, producers can have a reliable backup system,” he said.
The study further identified appropriate energy technologies for specific activities, outlined existing challenges—including financing gaps—and proposed solutions. Mr Shuma said wider adoption of clean energy could lower production costs, increase profits, and support environmental conservation.
“We are here to link financial institutions with opportunities that will enable better and more affordable production using clean energy,” he added.
According to the research, investment opportunities worth more than $1.6 million (over Sh3.8 billion) exist under the PURE project, with potential benefits for 700 small businesses across the pilot regions.
Executive Director of Tanzania Traditional Energy Development and Environment Organization (Tatedo), a non-governmental organisation that focuses on improving access to sustainable energy services in Tanzania, Mr Estomih Sawe said the study demonstrates the transformative power of renewable energy in rural production systems.
He noted that the technology can strengthen value chains, improve efficiency and boost household incomes.
“PURE is not only about expanding access to energy. It is about powering income-generating activities such as irrigation, agro-processing, cooling, frying and fisheries,” he said. “With the right financing models, the project can stimulate rural industrialisation, support food security and create thousands of decent jobs for women and youth.”
Mr Sawe added that the project has the potential to support Sh3.8 billion in production-related investments, create 2,200 jobs and enhance operations for hundreds of small enterprises in the four regions.
The workshop—organised by TaTEDO in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) Africa and the Tanzania Renewable Energy Association (Tarea)—brought together financial institutions, renewable energy providers and agricultural actors to explore how clean energy solutions can unlock growth in small-scale production.
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