The government has directed Regional Commissioners across the country to ensure that Local Government Authorities develop strong and practical plans aimed at boosting the production of cereals and mixed crops, in a move designed to strengthen agricultural productivity and improve national and local revenues.
The directive was issued on April 16, 2026 in Dodoma by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, while closing a joint meeting between the Ministry of Agriculture and PMO-RALG.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) and brought together Regional Commissioners, Regional Administrative Secretaries, the Cooperative Development Commission, development partners, and key agriculture stakeholders.
Prof. Shemdoe said agriculture remains the backbone of many local government economies, noting that more than 75 percent of councils depend on internally generated revenue, most of which comes from agricultural activities and crop markets.
He stressed that improving agricultural production is therefore essential for strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level.
He called on Regional Commissioners to closely supervise councils to ensure they design and implement realistic agricultural plans that focus on increasing productivity, improving farming practices, and strengthening value chains.
“Once we follow proper agricultural practices, we will produce quality crops that can compete in external markets and be sold at better prices, benefiting Tanzanian farmers,” said Prof. Shemdoe.
He further emphasized the need for stronger supervision in the collection and proper use of local government revenues generated from agricultural production.
He noted that effective management of these funds would accelerate development projects, especially in improving markets, agricultural services, and infrastructure.
Prof. Shemdoe revealed that the government expects to collect more than 2 trillion shillings in the 2026/27 financial year, with agricultural produce being one of the main revenue sources.
He urged leaders at all levels to intensify efforts to increase production in order to achieve this target.
“The success of our revenue targets depends on how well we increase agricultural production. We must all work together to ensure we meet these goals,” he said.
On collaboration between government institutions, Prof. Shemdoe commended the Ministry of Agriculture for strengthening cooperation with PMO-RALG, saying the partnership is crucial in ensuring effective coordination of services delivered to citizens through regional and local government structures.
He also praised the Ministry of Agriculture for recognizing the importance of working closely with PMO-RALG in implementing agricultural development strategies, noting that such cooperation will help translate national policies into real benefits for farmers across the country.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from regional and local government leaders to strengthen agricultural planning, improve productivity, and enhance revenue collection systems for sustainable development.
