The Government of Tanzania has announced major success in protecting national food production after saving more than 1.6 million tonnes of crops between 2023 and 2025 through strengthened plant pest and disease control measures.
The achievement has been described as a key milestone in improving food security and supporting farmers across the country.
The announcement was made during the national commemoration of the International Day of Plant Health held in Dodoma, where stakeholders gathered to raise awareness on the importance of protecting plant health in ensuring food security, protecting the environment and strengthening the economy.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde said the government is intensifying efforts to address challenges caused by pests, climate change and environmental degradation, which continue to threaten agricultural production.
He noted that plants remain the foundation of human life because they provide food, medicine, animal feed and environmental services such as clean air and rainfall support.
He added that human activities and global climate change have increased risks to plant health, making stronger protection systems necessary.
Silinde also pointed out that increased international trade and movement of goods have contributed to the spread of plant pests and diseases across borders.
He said this calls for stronger inspection and biosecurity systems to prevent outbreaks that can damage crops and livelihoods.
He further explained that the growing global population is increasing pressure on food systems. He referred to United Nations projections showing that the world population, estimated at 8.2 billion in 2025, is expected to rise further in the coming decades, increasing the need for sustainable agricultural production.
According to him, the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is continuing to strengthen agriculture systems to ensure Tanzania becomes a reliable food production hub in Africa through improved pest control and plant health services.
Director General of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority Joseph Ndunguru said Tanzania has achieved 130 percent food sufficiency in the 2024/2025 agricultural season, with total production reaching more than 23.7 million tonnes.
He said this achievement is the result of coordinated nationwide pest control operations carried out over the past years, which helped reduce crop losses and increase productivity among farmers.
Ndunguru explained that rodent control operations conducted in 19 regions helped save more than 408,109 acres of crops, benefiting over 66,000 farmers.
He added that large-scale control of quelea birds, which often attack rice, sorghum and millet farms, led to the protection of about 1.6 million tonnes of crops.
He also noted that fall armyworm control campaigns were implemented in more than 219,000 hectares across 49 districts, saving over 529,000 tonnes of maize and sorghum.
The efforts, he said, demonstrate the importance of early detection, coordinated response and continuous monitoring of plant health threats in protecting national food supplies.
Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Tanzania Mushobozi Baitani warned that climate change and increased movement of people and goods are accelerating the spread of pests and plant diseases globally.
He said a single outbreak can cause serious losses to farmers, reduce incomes and weaken national food security systems if not properly controlled.
He emphasized the importance of stronger international cooperation, improved surveillance systems and farmer awareness to prevent future outbreaks.
This year’s commemoration was held under the theme “Protecting Plant Biodiversity for Food Security and Nutrition,” highlighting the need for continued investment in plant health systems to safeguard agriculture and ensure long-term food security in Tanzania.
