In a major push to modernize agriculture, the Tanzanian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has launched plans to establish over 1,000 centers for the storage, maintenance, and easy access of agricultural machinery.
The initiative is aimed at helping farmers increase productivity and adopt modern farming techniques.
Professor Peter Msoffe, Deputy Secretary-General for Crop Development and Food Security at the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the project during an experience-sharing forum in Morogoro, organized in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
“Modern agriculture is no longer just manual labor. It is mechanized. That is why these centers are being set up to store, maintain, and make machinery readily available to farmers,” Professor Msoffe said.
He added that government support goes beyond machinery, noting that farmers also benefit from subsidies for fertilizers and other essential inputs.
The forum also provides a platform for Tanzanian experts to learn from Japan’s experience in mechanized agriculture, offering practical lessons for improving farming efficiency.
The initiative forms part of Tanzania’s broader economic vision. “With the 2050 Development Vision, Tanzania is preparing to accelerate economic growth, aiming for a $1 trillion economy and an average citizen income of $7,000 by 2050, reaching middle-income status,” Professor Msoffe noted.
JICA Tanzania Chief Representative Ara Hitoshi said the collaboration between JICA and SUA, which began in 2022, focuses on sharing Japanese agricultural expertise, particularly with youth.
“Agriculture is vital for Tanzania. This forum empowers young people to embrace modern farming, using technology and machinery rather than relying solely on traditional practices,” Hitoshi said.
Edwin Konzo, Senior Officer for Science, Technology, and Innovation at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, emphasized the need for policy updates to support agricultural modernization.
The ministry is reviewing the 1996 Science and Technology Policy to align with current development goals.
“Agriculture drives transformation. By adopting innovative technologies, Tanzanian farmers can improve productivity, create resilient crop varieties, and enhance livelihoods,” Konzo said.
Professor Amandus Muhairwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at SUA, added that the forum provides a valuable opportunity to learn from Japanese expertise in agricultural engineering.
He noted that as villages evolve into towns, smaller plots of land must produce more efficiently, benefiting both crop and livestock farming.
With these new centers, Tanzania is taking a major step toward modern, mechanized agriculture, empowering farmers and youth while driving the nation closer to its 2050 Vision.