Tanzania is seeking international partnerships to help young people overcome barriers to entering agriculture, with the government proposing a programme that would link students to research, modern farming technologies and global expertise.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has asked the World Food Prize Foundation to consider introducing its Youth Institute programme in Tanzania, as the government seeks to expand opportunities for young people to establish agricultural businesses and create jobs.
The proposal was presented on Wednesday during talks with the foundation’s president, Ms Mashal Husain, and chief executive, Mr Tom Vilsack, on the sidelines of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States.
The foundation welcomed the proposal and expressed readiness to continue discussions on the possible introduction of the programme in Tanzania.
Dr Mwigulu said the government wanted to strengthen cooperation between local universities, agricultural research institutions and international partners to equip young people with knowledge, technology and business skills.
He said challenges facing young people included limited access to land, capital and loans, alongside perceptions that agriculture was an option for those unable to find opportunities elsewhere.
The proposed partnership seeks to expose young people to modern agriculture and research, but its impact will depend on whether training can be translated into viable businesses and sustainable incomes.
Ms Husain said the Youth Institute programme equips students with research skills and encourages them to develop solutions to food and agricultural challenges. Participants who perform well can also access international programmes.
For Tanzanian students, such opportunities could provide exposure to new approaches to food production and agricultural innovation, while strengthening their ability to identify and address challenges in the sector.
Mr Vilsack proposed linking training and mentorship with affordable financing and market access to help young people establish and expand agricultural enterprises.
Access to capital and reliable markets remains a key consideration for aspiring agribusiness owners, who need financing for inputs, equipment and production before they can generate returns from their investments.
The discussions therefore focused not only on skills development but also on the support needed to turn agricultural knowledge into commercial opportunities.
Dr Mwigulu also asked the foundation to consider Tanzania as a possible host for a regional DialogueNEXT meeting. Ms Husain said the institution was ready to continue discussions on the proposal.
The Prime Minister directed experts accompanying the delegation, working through Tanzania’s embassy in the United States and relevant ministries, to maintain contact with the foundation and follow up on the proposed areas of cooperation.
The delegation includes Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ngwaru Maghembe, Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde, Tanzania’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr Elsie Kanza, and other government officials.
If established, the partnership could connect Tanzanian youth with international research and training networks.
However, its practical value will depend on programme design and whether participants can access the land, financing, technology and markets needed to build sustainable agricultural businesses.