By The Respondents reporter
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania is stepping up efforts to raise productivity and value addition in agriculture, livestock and fisheries, targeting a combined contribution of $100 billion under its Vision 2050 development blueprint.
The target would account for 10% of the country's broader ambition of building a $1 trillion economy, according to Steven Michael, director of production and marketing at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
Michael, who represented the ministry's permanent secretary and Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Bashiru Ally Kakuru at the opening of the 10th Agro-Food & Livestock Expo in Dar es Salaam, said the government was implementing measures to increase production across the sectors.
He said production sectors were among the key pillars of the economy under Vision 2050, making it necessary to increase output and add value through modern technologies.
These include irrigation systems and machinery for processing animal feed, he said.
The government has also launched a 10-year development strategy for the poultry sector covering 2024 to 2034, aimed at increasing production and employment opportunities.
Michael said the poultry industry reaches more than four million households and contributes about 1.8% of Tanzania's gross domestic product, equivalent to roughly 2.5 trillion Tanzanian shillings.
Tanzania seeks stronger access to global markets
The push for higher production comes alongside government efforts to expand market access for Tanzanian goods.
Efraimu Mafuru, director general of the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), said the three-day expo had brought together more than 120 companies from over 35 countries.
More than 1,000 professionals and businesspeople are expected to take part in business-to-business meetings during the event, he said.
Mafuru said market opportunities alone would not be enough to raise Tanzanians' incomes unless they were properly coordinated and producers were supported to meet quality standards and connect with international buyers.
TanTrade is also implementing the “Made in Tanzania” campaign to strengthen the identity and protection of Tanzanian products in international markets.
The initiative forms part of efforts to double the country's exports from $10 billion to $20 billion, Mafuru said.
India offers cooperation on food processing
India has also expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with Tanzania in agricultural research, training and food-processing technologies, with a particular focus on reducing post-harvest losses.
A representative of the Indian High Commission in Tanzania said the two countries had significant opportunities to expand agricultural investment and increase access for Tanzanian products in the Indian market.
Such cooperation could help create jobs, expand trade and support economic growth in both countries, the representative said.
The Agro-Food & Livestock Expo is being held at the TanTrade premises in Dar es Salaam, bringing together producers, businesses, investors and buyers from the agriculture, livestock, food and fisheries value chains.
The organisers say the exhibition is intended to strengthen business links and promote investment and value addition across Tanzania's productive sectors.
