TAHA CEO Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi presents a farewell token to outgoing Netherlands Ambassador H.E. Wiebe de Boer, honoring their impactful horticulture partnership. Photo: Courtesy
By Adam Ihucha
Tanzania has hailed Dutch investors for helping spark a transformative revolution in its seed industry—a shift that’s proving pivotal not just for agriculture, but for the country’s wider development trajectory.
Speaking at the inaugural Vegetable Breeders Forum held at the World Vegetable Center just outside Arusha, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Gerald Mweli, conveyed the government’s heartfelt appreciation to Dutch partners.
Delivered on his behalf by senior official Philbert Philemon, his message highlighted the unprecedented growth in vegetable seed production, thanks to long-standing collaborations with Dutch institutions and agribusinesses.
But this story is about more than just seeds. The ripples from this agricultural uplift are touching corners of the economy once considered far removed from farming. Regions like Arusha—long known for its tourist allure—are witnessing a new kind of visitor: agronomists, seed technologists, horticulture investors, and policy experts.
Hotels that once catered mostly to safari-goers are now hosting delegations of agricultural innovators. Local airstrips are handling increased traffic from exporters. Even restaurant menus are evolving with the bounty of hybrid vegetables now grown just a few kilometers from game parks. Agriculture, once in the background, is now sharing the stage with the country’s iconic tourism industry.
“We’re witnessing not just a boost in yields, but a whole ecosystem forming—one that is knowledge-driven, inclusive, and remarkably resilient,” said Mr. Mweli. “Hybrid seed access has lifted productivity, introduced cutting-edge farming techniques, created decent jobs, and injected a new dynamism into our rural communities—especially among youth and women.”
The data speaks volumes. According to the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), vegetable seed exports jumped 348 percent in volume between 2023 and 2024—skyrocketing from 266.6 to 1,195.6 tons.
The financial windfall has been equally stunning, with export value surging 229 percent from $23.1 million to $76 million. The Netherlands remains the top buyer, importing over half of all Tanzania’s seed exports, followed by Italy and Egypt.
This boom is no accident. It is the fruit of intentional partnerships and forward-thinking policies. The Tanzanian government has placed the seed industry at the heart of its agricultural agenda, investing in innovation, regulation, and regional integration.
Participation in SADC and EAC seed harmonization protocols has opened borders for trade and testing, while efforts to streamline registration and variety approvals have made it easier for breeders and companies to thrive.
“We’re clearing the path for importation, local multiplication, and distribution of seeds,” noted Mr. Mweli. “By reviewing policies and improving transparency, we’re building a future where Tanzania becomes a regional hub for seed innovation.”
TAHA’s CEO, Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, echoed that vision. She paid a moving tribute to outgoing Netherlands Ambassador Wiebe de Boer for what she called his “unwavering partnership” in pushing the horticulture agenda. “TAHA’s very foundation was seeded by Dutch capital and belief. Two decades later, we stand as proof of what enduring collaboration can achieve.”
She also teased an upcoming National Horticulture Stakeholders Forum in July 2025, set to focus on cold chains, market access, taxation, and tapping into Asian markets—proving that the industry’s gaze is firmly set on the horizon.
Importantly, Dr. Mkindi called on breeders to register with TAHA to benefit from new irrigation borehole initiatives, aiming to unlock productivity in water-stressed zones. “This is more than infrastructure. It’s a lifeline for farmers and a catalyst for prosperity,” she said. “Let’s plant the seeds of transformation—together.”
The World Vegetable Center’s Dr. Gabriel Rugalema offered a continental lens. “Public-private partnerships are the engine behind this progress. With limited resources, collaboration is our smartest strategy,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of scaling up Africa’s seed research and development.
From TASTA’s CEO Bob Shuma came a reflection on how far Tanzania has come—and how the Netherlands Embassy had served as a bridge between global science and local ambition. “They didn’t just bring money,” he said. “They brought trust, openness, and a willingness to invest in people.”
Ambassador de Boer himself put it simply: “Yes, we’ve introduced better seeds. But more importantly, we’ve co-created a future—one in which Tanzanian farmers are not only more resilient, but also more connected, more informed, and more empowered.”
He cited the registration of 16 seed potato varieties as proof that these efforts are taking root. But he also issued a challenge: “There’s more work ahead. We need to close the gap in skilled vegetable breeders and give them platforms to innovate together.”
As the sun sets on Ambassador de Boer’s tenure in Tanzania, the legacy of Dutch collaboration is already deeply rooted in the red soil of the country’s farms. What’s emerging is not just a better harvest, but a reimagined agricultural future, where Tanzania isn’t just feeding itself, but nourishing economies, communities, and dreams far beyond its borders.