By Our Correspondent
On March 6, 2025, Permanet Secretary Prime Minister's Office (Coordination, Parliamentary Affairs and Policy) Dr. Jim Yonazi chaired an important meeting with Permanent Secretaries and other key officials to discuss critical matters related to the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Program (AFDP).
The meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister's Office conference hall in Magogoni, Dar es Salaam, aimed to assess the progress and future strategies of this significant initiative, focusing on the enhancement of agriculture and fisheries in Tanzania.
Dr. Yonazi, in his opening remarks, emphasized the government's commitment to fostering sustainable growth in both the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
He noted that these sectors are vital to the economic development of the country, particularly in enhancing food security, promoting rural livelihoods, and supporting industrialization.
Agriculture and fisheries are key contributors to Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and remain central to the livelihood of millions of Tanzanians, especially those in rural areas.
During the meeting, participants deliberated on the current status of the AFDP and the challenges it faces in achieving its goals.
The AFDP, a national program initiated by the Tanzanian government, aims to promote the sustainable development of the agricultural and fisheries sectors through various interventions.
These include improving agricultural productivity, fostering better management of natural resources, and enhancing the capacity of local communities to engage in profitable agricultural and fisheries activities.
One of the critical issues discussed was the need for increased investment in modern agricultural technologies and infrastructure.
Dr. Yonazi stressed the importance of adopting new farming practices and innovations that can improve productivity and ensure that the agricultural sector remains competitive.
This includes the use of climate-smart agriculture techniques, the development of irrigation systems, and the introduction of drought-resistant crops.
He further highlighted that investing in rural infrastructure, such as roads and storage facilities, would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve the supply chain for both crops and fish.
In line with the government’s focus on industrialization, another area of concern was the need to improve value chains within both the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
By adding value to raw agricultural and fisheries products, Tanzania can increase exports, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
Dr. Yonazi emphasized the importance of building processing plants and encouraging local entrepreneurs to participate in the value addition processes.
He also encouraged the government and private sector stakeholders to collaborate more effectively to ensure that local industries thrive.
As part of the discussions, the meeting also addressed the need for improving fisheries management. Tanzania, with its vast coastline and numerous lakes, has immense potential in the fisheries sector, yet it faces challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing practices, and insufficient fisheries infrastructure.
Dr. Yonazi highlighted the necessity of enforcing fisheries regulations and promoting sustainable fishing practices to ensure that the sector remains viable in the long term.
He also stressed the importance of investing in modern fishing equipment and training local fishermen to increase their capacity to exploit the sector’s potential.
Another key focus of the meeting was the importance of enhancing the resilience of the agricultural and fisheries sectors to climate change.
With Tanzania being vulnerable to changing weather patterns, which affect both farming and fishing activities, it is crucial that the country adopts strategies that ensure long-term sustainability.
This includes strengthening disaster risk management systems, diversifying agricultural activities, and promoting the use of drought-tolerant and pest-resistant crops.
Dr. Yonazi urged all stakeholders involved in the AFDP to adopt comprehensive climate adaptation strategies and to integrate these into their programs.
The meeting also discussed the need for improved collaboration between government ministries, the private sector, development partners, and local communities.
Dr. Yonazi emphasized that the success of the AFDP depends on a collective effort, where each sector plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges and maximizing the opportunities within the agricultural and fisheries industries.
He called for greater cooperation among various stakeholders to ensure that the program’s goals are met effectively and efficiently.
Additionally, the officials in attendance were tasked with providing updates on the implementation of various components of the AFDP.
Reports from different sectors highlighted ongoing activities such as the establishment of agricultural extension services, the promotion of sustainable fishing techniques, and the provision of training for farmers and fishermen.
However, the meeting also recognized the need for further improvements in monitoring and evaluation to track progress and assess the impact of the program.
In conclusion, Dr. Yonazi’s leadership in the meeting underscored the Tanzanian government’s strong commitment to transforming the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
The AFDP, underpinned by strategic investments, policy reforms, and stakeholder collaboration, has the potential to drive significant improvements in the livelihoods of Tanzanians.
By continuing to focus on modernizing the sectors, enhancing sustainability, and addressing challenges such as climate change, the AFDP aims to build a resilient and thriving agricultural and fisheries economy in Tanzania.
The meeting served as an essential step in aligning the efforts of the key stakeholders and reaffirming the government’s dedication to the sustainable development of these critical sectors.
It was clear that achieving the goals of the AFDP would require continued collaboration, innovation, and commitment at all levels.