By Our Reporter
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has called for a shift in how agricultural transformation is measured, saying higher crop yields must translate into better incomes and living standards for farmers if the sector is to drive Africa’s prosperity.
He said increased production alone was not enough to guarantee economic gains for farming households, particularly when high transport costs, inadequate storage facilities and unprofitable market prices continued to erode farmers’ earnings.
“For farming families, producing more crops alone does not mean they have achieved economic success. Good harvests must translate into better lives for farmers,” Dr Nchemba said.
He made the remarks on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while addressing 75 young agricultural leaders from different countries on the sidelines of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States.
Dr Nchemba, who was representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the international gathering, said agricultural reforms should be judged by their impact on farmers’ livelihoods, household security and economic opportunities.
“Your theme, ‘When Farmers Thrive, Africa Thrives’, reminds us that we must measure agricultural transformation by the changes it brings to farmers’ lives. Increased production is important, but what matters most is the income farmers earn, the security they enjoy and the opportunities available to their families,” he said.
His remarks highlight a persistent challenge facing agricultural economies: ensuring that gains in production translate into higher earnings for farmers rather than being undermined by the costs of moving, storing and processing crops.
Dr Nchemba said these constraints had to be addressed together to make agriculture a profitable business and encourage more young people to enter the sector.
In Tanzania, the government is working to improve young people’s access to land, connect them with financial institutions and expand the use of modern farming technologies and machinery.
It is also increasing investment in irrigation, quality seed production, agricultural research, extension services, storage facilities and crop-processing infrastructure.
The measures are intended to strengthen the agricultural value chain, improve productivity and enable farmers to capture more value from their produce.
However, the Prime Minister stressed that domestic production also needed to expand beyond crops to include essential agricultural inputs and food products.
He called for increased local production of fertilisers, quality seeds and edible oils to reduce reliance on imports, arguing that global economic uncertainties had exposed the risks of depending on external suppliers for essential commodities.
Strengthening domestic production, he said, would improve the resilience of Tanzania’s agricultural and food systems against international market disruptions.
Earlier, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) president Alice Ruhweza commended Tanzania for its efforts to expand irrigation, promote agricultural mechanisation and increase opportunities for young people in farming.
She also praised President Samia for supporting the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme, which aims to increase youth participation in agriculture.
Ms Ruhweza said AGRA, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, was implementing a $350 million youth empowerment programme across participating countries, including Tanzania.
She said the programme’s implementation in Tanzania was aligned with BBT to reinforce existing efforts rather than introduce initiatives that duplicate ongoing work.
Ms Ruhweza added that Tanzania’s experience could provide lessons for other African countries seeking to expand youth participation in agriculture and improve the sector’s contribution to economic development.
Dr Nchemba was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ngwaru Maghembe, Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde, Tanzania’s Ambassador to the United States Elsie Kanza and other government officials.