The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) has given a major boost to this year’s International Workers’ Day (May Day) celebrations set for Njombe Region, after facilitating 16 agricultural companies dealing in avocados and Irish potatoes to access the Chinese market.
The development is part of broader government efforts to strengthen agricultural exports and increase farmers’ income, while positioning Njombe as a key hub for high-value crops in the Southern Highlands.
President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to be the guest of honour at the national May Day celebrations in Njombe.
Njombe Regional Commissioner Anthony Mtaka has confirmed that the region is fully prepared to host the national event, with various development activities aligned to the celebrations.
As part of the programme, TPHPA is expected to lay the foundation stone for a modern crop quality testing laboratory in Njombe.
The facility is expected to transform how farmers access export certification services, especially for avocados, potatoes and other horticultural crops.
Once completed, the laboratory will allow farmers to obtain quality certification closer to production areas, reducing the need to transport samples to other regions.
This is expected to lower costs, improve efficiency and open wider international market opportunities for smallholder farmers.
TPHPA Director General, Prof. Joseph Ndunguru, said the authority is working to ensure that farmers and workers benefit directly from Tanzania’s agricultural potential through improved market access and strict quality assurance systems.
Speaking in Arusha on April 20, 2026, during a meeting with the Chairperson of the Journalists Union of Tanzania (JOWUTA), Mussa Juma, Prof. Ndunguru said the authority has already supported 16 companies to access the Chinese market, with more opportunities being expanded in other Southern Highlands regions.
He said TPHPA is focusing on ensuring that Tanzanian agricultural products meet international safety and quality standards.
“We are supporting farmers to access international markets by testing their produce and ensuring it is free from harmful pesticide residues. This is key in making sure Tanzanian products remain competitive globally,” he said.
Prof. Ndunguru added that TPHPA is also preparing to start construction of another modern laboratory in Makambako, which will further bring services closer to farmers and strengthen export readiness for small-scale producers.
“This will be a major relief for farmers, especially smallholders, who will now access testing and certification services without travelling long distances,” he added.
On May Day celebrations, Prof. Ndunguru said TPHPA will participate at all levels of the event, while continuing to work with stakeholders, including the media, to educate the public on agricultural safety and government initiatives.
JOWUTA Chairperson Mussa Juma commended TPHPA for its strong performance, saying the institution has played a key role in protecting consumers and supporting farmers to access reliable markets.
“TPHPA has done an excellent job in controlling the entry of substandard pesticides, educating farmers on safe usage, and helping them access export markets. This is a big contribution to both public health and the economy,” said Juma.
He said journalists under JOWUTA will continue to work as key partners in raising awareness about TPHPA’s role and ensuring the public understands the importance of plant health systems in agricultural development.
Juma also noted that this year’s May Day will be significant for JOWUTA as it participates for the first time after joining the Tanzania Trade Unions Confederation (TUCTA), with expectations of promoting professionalism and excellence in the media sector.
