Tanzania reviews state-owned farms to unlock greater economic value

Dar es Salaam. The Government has begun reviewing the productivity and management of its farms as part of efforts to ensure that the properties generate greater economic and social benefits for Tanzanians.

Minister of State in the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, said this on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 after visiting four government-owned farms in Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region, to assess their productivity and determine how effectively they are being utilised.

The farms visited were Harlington, Journey’s End, Fosters and Kanamodo, all located in West Kilimanjaro.

Prof Mkumbo was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office, Investment, Dr Fred Msemwa; Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Msechu; Siha District Commissioner Dr Christopher Timbuka; and Siha Member of Parliament Dr Godwin Mollel.

Speaking to residents of Ngarenairobi Ward in Endumeki Village, Prof Mkumbo said investment should not be viewed solely as something that comes from outside the country, noting that the Government itself owns resources that can be developed for the benefit of citizens.

“Investment does not necessarily have to come from outside the country,” Prof Mkumbo said, stressing that the Government, as an institution owned by the people, had a responsibility to ensure its assets contributed to national development.

He assured Siha residents that although the Government would continue attracting investors to develop productive assets, it would not make decisions that compromised the interests of local communities.

Prof Mkumbo said the Government’s priority was to ensure that its land and other productive assets were used efficiently to create economic opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

The visit comes as the Government seeks to strengthen the utilisation of state-owned assets, particularly in agriculture, which remains critical to employment, food production, industrial raw materials and exports.

The Treasury Registrar owns and manages government farms on behalf of the State, with the properties regarded as strategic resources for expanding commercial agriculture and strengthening the national economy.

Some of the farms were previously owned by the National Agricultural and Food Corporation (NAFCO) and remained under government ownership following the privatisation exercise.

The decision to retain the farms followed directives from the President to halt their sale and instead allow the Government to develop and utilise them productively.

The retained farms include Harlington, Journey’s End, Fosters and Kanamodo in West Kilimanjaro, alongside other former NAFCO properties.

The Government has also acquired other farms through various arrangements in the broader national interest, including KPL Mng’eta in Morogoro, Malalua Flower Farm in Arusha, Kiliflora Usa River and Kiliflora Chekereni in Arusha.

The review is expected to provide a clearer assessment of the farms’ current performance and help determine appropriate investment and management models to maximise their contribution to the economy.