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Experts reveal hurdles to Tanzania's agriculture
What you need to know:
- Productivity and production in the agriculture sector are still issues of significant concern.
Dar es Salaam. Private sector involvement, investment in infrastructure and research, capacity building for farmers, and sustainable agricultural practices are key to unlocking the full potential of Tanzania's agriculture sector, experts have advised.
That was said yesterday during an experts’ discussion as part of the agriculture expo organised by fertiliser manufacturer Yara Tanzania in Mbeya.
Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania Ltd. (SAGCOT)’s chief executive Mr Geoffrey Kirenga said the issue of productivity and production in the agriculture sector is a significant concern.
Mr Kirenga said this is despite the fact that the overall African region possesses better arable land and weather conditions.
“Take, for example, maize, the most produced staple food. The productivity of this crop in Tanzania is now below two tons per hectare, but productions regions such as the southern highlands regions hold potential that is estimated up to twelve tons per hectare,” he said.
“This means there is a difference of ten tons that we are losing due to the lack of utilising knowledge, techniques, and available opportunities,” he said.
Mr Kirenga said not using the appropriate knowledge and practices, including inputs, fertiliser, proper seeds, and pest control costs the sector in Tanzania.
“The average productivity per tree currently does not exceed 30 kilograms for the avocado crop. However, with proper care, the potential productivity for a well-maintained tree can reach up to 200 kilograms,” he said.
Agriculture entrepreneur Mr Lucas Malembo said in order for Tanzania to become a food basket, it is essential for agriculture to become commercial, the process which needs the utilisation of experts.
“If only 7 percent of farmers are visited by experts, then there is a significant task ahead to make the country a food hub in Africa,” he said.
He said while fertiliser plays a crucial role in productivity, only 24 percent of farmers use it, similarly, only 28 percent of producers use quality seeds.
“For instance, the demand for maize seeds is more than 150,000 tons of seeds, but the current supply is only about 41,000 tons,” he said.
Mr Malembo also asserted that technology is lagging, with over 60 percent still relying on manual labor with hand tools for farming activities.
"If we want to become a food hub, these are the areas to focus on,” he said.
A seasoned agricultural economist from the Agricultural Council of Tanzania (ACT) Mr Mark Magila states that Tanzania has human and land resources, among others, that give us the capacity to produce surplus.
He said farmers, being part of the private sector in the agriculture value chain, need to advocate for their significant interests.
“Through ACT under the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), we engage in advocacy and representation on various agricultural issues concerning policies, laws, regulations, and rules,” he said.
“All these aspects affect all of us along the agriculture value chain, from producers to consumers,” he said.
