Experts urge the government to empower youth ventures in the agriculture sector

Dar es Salaam. Experts have advised the government to equip young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to unlock opportunities in the agricultural sector.

They also emphasise the importance of facilitating access to funding and advocating for policy changes to support youth engagement in agriculture.

Speaking to The Citizen, the Executive Director of the Research on Poverty Alleviation (Repoa), Dr Donald Mmari, revealed that a critical factor in unlocking agricultural opportunities for Tanzanian youth is education and skill development.

He said many young people lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to succeed in modern agriculture. “Investing in agricultural education and training programmes is crucial to equip youth with the skills needed to adopt modern farming techniques, utilise new technologies, and manage their farms effectively,” he said.

“Vocational training centres, agriculture extension services, and partnerships with education institutions can play a significant role in providing young farmers with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the agricultural sector,” he added.

An economist and a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Emmanuel Maliti, said that in today's digital age, technology plays a vital role in transforming agriculture and increasing productivity.

Read: Why tech is key to attracting young people to agriculture

“Tanzanian youth must embrace technological innovations such as mobile apps for market information, precision farming techniques, and IoT devices for smart farming practices,” he said.

However, to fully harness the benefits of technology, he said young farmers need access to affordable and reliable internet connectivity, as well as training and technical support to effectively utilise digital tools and technologies on their farms.

“Partnerships with technology companies, research institutions, and government agencies can facilitate the adoption and adaptation of appropriate technologies tailored to the needs of Tanzanian youth in agriculture,” he said.

On his part, an economist and a lecturer at the University of Dodoma (Udom), Dr Mwinuka Lutengano, said that one of the primary challenges facing Tanzanian youth in agriculture is the lack of access to finance and resources.

According to him, limited access to credit, land, and inputs hinders their ability to invest in modern farming practices, expand their operations, and increase productivity.

He said to address the challenges, policymakers need to develop youth-friendly financing schemes tailored to the agricultural sector. “The schemes should offer flexible repayment terms, low-interest rates, and collateral-free loans to enable young farmers to access the capital they need to invest in their farms,” he said.

He added that initiatives to improve access to land through land reform programmes and transparent land allocation processes are essential to ensure that youth have the necessary resources to engage in agriculture effectively.

On the other hand, the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited, Mr Baraka Chijenga, said that effective policy advocacy is essential to creating an enabling environment for youth engagement in agriculture.

“Tanzanian youth must be actively involved in policy discussions and decision-making processes to ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are represented. Policymakers need to prioritise youth-friendly policies that address the unique challenges faced by young farmers, such as access to finance, land tenure security, and market access,” he said.

He added that investments in infrastructure development, market linkages, and value chain integration are necessary to create opportunities for youth participation and investment in agriculture.