Tanzanians can now breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to food security. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, has confirmed that the country is food secure, thanks to the hardworking farmers whose contributions have boosted agricultural production and strengthened the national economy.
Speaking during the climax of International Cooperative Day celebrations on July 5, 2025, in Dodoma, Dr. Biteko praised the farming community for helping the country achieve a remarkable milestone:
“Today, agriculture contributes 26 percent to our GDP. Unlike many countries facing food shortages, Tanzanians can confidently access food in their communities because our farmers are producing enough.”
He encouraged citizens to appreciate the role cooperatives play in shaping economic progress, pointing out that they help unite people, pool resources, and increase productivity.
Dr. Biteko also shared that coffee and tobacco exports from cooperative societies reached USD 344.8 million in the 2024/25 financial year, up from USD 325.5 million the year before an increase of USD 19.3 million.
“This growth means more money for farmers, stronger communities, and more development in rural areas,” he noted.
In terms of accountability, he highlighted that more cooperative societies are now managing their finances better.
Clean audit reports increased from 339 in 2021/22 to 631 in 2023/24 an 86% improvement. Societies with poor audit results dropped from 1,198 to 263 during the same period.
For ordinary citizens, especially women and youth, Dr. Biteko called on cooperatives to ensure equal participation and expand opportunities.
He encouraged efforts to grow the number of women-led cooperatives beyond the current 50.
Still, he acknowledged that challenges remain for farmers, especially regarding pricing of agricultural produce and access to inputs.
He instructed the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture to work together to find lasting solutions that will directly benefit smallholder farmers.
“The Sixth-Phase Government sees cooperatives as a vital tool for economic empowerment,” he emphasized.
“By supporting cooperatives, we’re supporting people’s ability to lift themselves out of poverty and build better futures.”he added
Dr. Biteko thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her commitment to transforming agriculture, saying her vision is becoming reality. He also commended Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe for implementing reforms that are improving farmers’ lives.
He further urged cooperative societies to invest in processing industries to add value to crops like sunflower and coffee. “This is how we increase incomes and create more jobs in our communities,” he added.
Minister Bashe echoed those sentiments, thanking the President for increasing the agricultural budget and supporting initiatives such as crop subsidies and new farmer-focused institutions like COPRA.
He explained that improved infrastructure, such as electricity in villages and better roads, is making it easier for farmers to run businesses, process crops, and access markets.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Rosemary Senyamule, reported that the region now has 244 cooperatives. She noted that citizens increasingly understand the importance of joining these societies for collective growth.
Registrar of Cooperatives, Dr. Benson Ndiege, shared a three-year report showing key achievements, including the establishment of cooperative banks in four regions. These banks help farmers and small business owners access loans and grow their ventures.
Tanzania Federation of Cooperatives Chairperson, Mr. Tito Haule, said this year marks the 102nd global celebration of International Cooperative Day.
He said the event offers a platform for citizens to see the impact of cooperatives and understand their role in building inclusive, sustainable economies.
He reported that cooperative membership has grown from 6.9 million in 2021/22 to 10 million in 2024/25, showing that more Tanzanians are joining together for economic empowerment.
He also noted that cooperatives have created permanent and contract jobs for youth and increased tax contributions from TZS 9.5 billion in 2020/21 to TZS 12.5 billion in 2023.
The government has also injected TZS 5 billion into the Cooperative Bank to boost lending to farmers and traders. Digital transformation in cooperatives has further improved transparency and service delivery.
For Tanzanians across the country, the message is clear: cooperative societies are not just for farmersthey are a key to economic inclusion.
Whether you’re a youth looking for work, a woman seeking financial independence, or a family farmer trying to expand, the government and its partners are building systems to help you thrive.
As Dr. Biteko said, “This is not just about agriculture it’s about people, progress, and prosperity.”