Kudos to Hussein Bashe for the ‘Empowering Our Own’ initiative

For Tanzanian agriculture enthusiasts, Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe's "Empowering Our Own" initiative is akin to a much-anticipated end-of-year gift. It comes at a time when the agriculture sector is witnessing increased investments and heightened attention.

In this regard, Bashe and his team deserve accolades for their commendable efforts. "Empowering Our Own" is a fitting way to conclude the year 2023. The initiative needs broad-based support. The year 2023 has been a roller coaster for Tanzania's agriculture sector, garnering global acclaim and raising expectations that Tanzania is poised to play a pivotal role in food security in Africa and the world at large.

The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), which rebranded as the Africa Food System Forum conference, announced at the State House (Dar es Salaam) in March 2023 and held in September 2023, shone a spotlight on our nation as a powerhouse in agriculture. The Ministry held various meetings and initiatives to attract investments in agriculture. Additionally, H.E President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan's approval of a historic budget for the agricultural sector marks a significant milestone.

The recent spotlight on Tanzania at the COP28 Climate Summit and other international meetings has been vital for the nation in attracting investments. For years, smallholder farmers have predominantly engaged in subsistence farming. However, as Tanzania advances in food systems, significant changes are underway. In the food basket regions of Tanzania, there is reduced income poverty.

"Kilimo ni biashara" (Farming is a business) has become a reality. Nevertheless, the majority of those smallholder farmers who have been participating in trade remain disheartening. Investors from various parts of the world are keen to seize a piece of Tanzania's agricultural and food systems trade.

Honourable Bashe's commitment to inclusive growth renewed in the "Empowering Our Own" initiative is commendable and timely. This initiative emphasized reinforcing and attracting local agricultural investors while maintaining global partnerships. Such a strategy aligns perfectly with Tanzania's goal of becoming self-reliant with competitive agriculture.

Minister Bashe's dedication to integrating smallholder farmers into agricultural plans, enhancing their livelihoods, and promoting green growth is pivotal to achieving these objectives. Despite the emerging challenges and uncertainties, Bashes's leadership has been a guiding light, instilling hope in Tanzania's agriculture.

His strategic focus on bolstering local participation and attracting investments in agriculture is yielding positive results. The increased interest from private investors (domestic and international) is a good indicator of the effectiveness of this approach.

Addressing the local investor gap is a crucial aspect of this initiative. By extending support to individual Tanzanian citizens and to companies already engaged in agriculture, Tanzania aims to create an inclusive framework for agricultural progress. This approach recognizes the importance of involving small-scale farmers and local businesses in the country's agricultural development.

Furthermore, the emphasis on enhancing the capacity of local stakeholders, dedication to empowering local players in agriculture sector is a testament to his vision of a prosperous, self-reliance and sustainability in agriculture. Empowering local entities and creating an enabling environment for agricultural ventures will attract private-sector investment and promote growth and efficiency of the sector.

As we look ahead to 2024, Tanzania's agriculture sector stands on the cusp of transformative change. With the "Empowering Our Own" initiative, we have every reason to be optimistic about Tanzanians and Tanzania-based companies' ability to contribute significantly to food security and sustainable agriculture within and outside our borders. Let's extend our gratitude to him for championing this cause, and expect the continued growth and future success of Tanzania's agriculture.

We need to cultivate and nurture Tanzanian entities that excel in processing, trade, and advanced echelons of agriculture. That entails fostering an environment where businesses and individuals can thrive in these sectors; driving innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development within Tanzania's agricultural landscape.