Tanzania needs Sh33 trillion to transform food systems by 2030

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania needs a staggering Sh33 trillion to bring the growth of the agricultural sector to vibrancy and effectively transform its food systems during the next seven years, a key meeting heard at the weekend.

Various stakeholders, who attended the Tanzania Food Systems Partners Dialogue and Workshop in in Dar es Salaam, at the weekend highlighted the launch of the “Agenda 10/30 Investment Roadmap for Accelerating Agricultural Growth in Tanzania”.

In a nutshell, the Agenda 10/30 concept seeks to achieve a more than 10 percent growth for the agriculture sector by 2030.

Organised by Agra, the event was attended by government officials, private sector representatives, farmer organizations and development partners.

Key on the agenda was to identify key priorities and investment opportunities to transform Tanzania’s food systems.

The “Agenda 10/30 Investment Roadmap for Accelerating Agricultural Growth in Tanzania,” is expected to be a key focus in the upcoming Africa Food Systems (AFS) Forum which will be held later this year in Kigali, Rwanda.

“The total cost of implementing the Agenda 10/30 initiative is estimated at Sh33 trillion,” the Agenda 10/30 Investment Roadmap for Accelerating Agricultural Growth in Tanzania document notes.

Out of the money, the government will be required to source Sh18 trillion, primarily covering fertiliser, improved seed subsidies, and mechanization and irrigation costs.

The remaining Sh15 trillion is to be sourced by members of the private sector which will have to directed towards fertilizers, improved seeds, mechanization, pesticides, and storage solutions.

The development partners are expected to contribute Sh348 billion which is to be injected in farmer mobilization and registration, extension services, marketing and branding efforts, and research initiatives.

“Following the dialogue in Dar es Salaam, Agra has committed to supporting Tanzania’s food systems across various critical aspects,” said the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and board chair of Agra, Mr Hailemariam Dessalegn.

Agra has pledged $40 million to support Tanzania’s agricultural and livestock sectors under the government’s “Building a Better Tomorrow” initiative.

The investment aims to drive growth and development within these crucial sectors.

In partnership with the government and the National Seed Investment Plan, Agra is dedicated to ensuring the delivery of sustainable technology for future farming systems.

This collaboration aims to enhance productivity and efficiency, fostering a more resilient agricultural landscape.

Speaking during the event, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Hussein Bashe, highlighted the need to reform financial systems to facilitate easier access to agricultural loans for young people.

“We need a new approach to lending that targets young people and considers their ability to repay,” said Mr Bashe.

“The current system hinders agricultural development and discourages young people.”

He further stressed the importance of international institutions recognizing the unique economic contexts of African nations compared to Western “supermarket economies.”

He advocated for a borrowing system that supports young people’s engagement in agriculture without demanding unattainable collateral.

“Telling graduates to have money or collateral instead of looking at their project, then lending them, disrupts the good intention of providing jobs for young people,” he said.

Mr Bashe also called for a robust agricultural policy from the central bank to revitalize young people’s participation in agriculture.

This policy should enable young people to borrow and be given sufficient time to repay, thus addressing the critical issues of food system 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 investing in productive agriculture, water conservation, and sustainable farming methods.

They also called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to create a better business environment for farmers.

The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Hussein Omar, emphasized 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,” said Dr Omar.

Apart from the launch of the 10/30 Agriculture Investment Agenda Investment Map, the workshop was used to present the priorities of the new Tanzania National Agriculture Master Plan, which aims to transform the country’s agricultural sector.

These initiatives are designed to enhance resilience, increase productivity, and ensure sustainable food systems in Tanzania.