Tanzania taps local and global partnerships to modernise agriculture sector

Dar es Salaam. The government has called for a united front between local institutions, international partners, and the private sector to revolutionise agriculture through innovation, youth engagement and sustainable practices, marking a significant step forward in transforming the country’s food systems.

Deputy permanent secretary in the ministry of Agriculture, Dr Stephen Nindi, has said at the AgriTech4Tanzania Innovation Challenge consultation that the initiative offers a rare opportunity to redesign agriculture for a modern Tanzania, especially for youth and women.

“This gathering is not just another meeting; it is a platform where government, researchers, farmers, start-ups, donors and the private sector come together to launch a powerful agenda for the future of agriculture, particularly for youth and women,” he said.

Dr Nindi said that the government’s goal is to support science-based, home-grown innovations that uplift smallholder farmers and create income, nutrition, and export opportunities for many agritech companies in the country.

Dr Nindi said that under the sixth phase government, the country is actively implementing ambitious agricultural programmes such as the Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP II), Agricultural Master Plan 2050, and Vision 2030 Agenda, all aimed at enhancing productivity, creating jobs for youth and women, and building a resilient and inclusive agricultural economy.

Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Giuseppe Coppola, reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting the country’s agricultural transformation, citing an example whereby various farmers got an opportunity to learn from Italy farmers.

“Italy has a long tradition of sustainable agriculture, and we are proud to support Tanzanian initiatives through institutions like UNIDO and partnerships with local stakeholders,” he said.

According to him, ongoing technical support including training Tanzanian agri-companies to access European markets and sharing knowledge on quality food standards and technology.

“Tanzania’s agriculture has immense potential, and we believe that with the right partnerships, we can help modernise the sector, improve value chains like coffee and horticulture, and generate jobs,” he said.

Tanzania’s Agricultural Research Institute (Tari), director of technology, transfer and partnerships Mr Sophia Kashenge-Kilenga, highlighted the urgency of investing in technology-driven agriculture.

“Our population is growing fast, and while we produce surplus food, challenges like youth unemployment and climate change remain serious threats,” she said.

With Tanzania’s average age at 18, Dr Kashenge stressed the need to create economic opportunities that appeal to young people.

“We must inspire our youth and ensure innovation is at the centre of our solutions. Without that, we risk falling behind,” she said.

Managing director of Shamba Box, Seth Mkisi, echoed these sentiments, saying the innovation challenge is an opportunity to develop smart, scalable solutions for Tanzanian farmers.

He said these collaborative efforts can lead to lasting impact in food systems, technology uptake and youth participation in agriculture, setting the foundation for a stronger farming future in Tanzania.