The Government has been urged to help young agricultural entrepreneurs move beyond production by connecting them with international markets, export standards and financing opportunities to make their businesses commercially viable.
Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi said the Ministry of Agriculture, working with the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE), should establish stronger support systems to help innovative young people turn agricultural ideas into businesses capable of competing in global markets.
He made the call on November 9, 2026, when opening Hortilogistical Africa 2026, an exhibition bringing together participants from Africa, Europe and Asia in Arusha, focusing on horticultural produce, flowers and fruits.
Mr Ndejembi said access to markets, knowledge of international quality requirements and links to financing remained important for young people seeking to expand agricultural businesses, particularly in horticulture.
He said young producers of vegetables and fruits needed more than support to increase production. They also required connections with relevant institutions, recognition of their innovations and guidance on standards governing products destined for export markets.
He cited cocoa and avocados as examples of products for which producers needed to understand international requirements to improve their chances of accessing overseas markets.
The Vice-President further called on the Government to complement private sector efforts by linking young entrepreneurs with institutions that could help them prepare bankable project proposals, secure financing and take their business ideas into implementation.
He also challenged authorities to ensure agricultural input subsidies were directed to farmers with the capacity to produce for identified markets, rather than focusing on production without sufficient consideration of where the produce would be sold.
Citing the distribution of 130,000 avocado seedlings by the Government, Mr Ndejembi questioned whether the beneficiaries had reliable markets for the expected harvest.
His remarks highlighted the need to align agricultural support programmes with market opportunities so that increased production translates into better incomes for farmers.
Speaking at the event, Mr Jofrey Ombeni Munisi of Onocado Farm commended the Government, through the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), and the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) for facilitating opportunities for producers to visit different markets and participate in business activities at home and abroad.
He said the initiatives had helped his company expand its presence in international markets and understand the quality standards required to compete.
Meanwhile, Hamza Mohammed Nangameta of COPRA said Tanzania produces more than four million tonnes of bananas annually, including Malindi, Kisukari and Mzuzu varieties.
He named Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Mbeya, Njombe, Morogoro and Tanga among the country's major banana-producing regions.
Tanzania also produces more than 800,000 tonnes of pineapples annually, with Coast, Mwanza, Geita, Morogoro and Mbeya among the main production areas, he said.
Mr Nangameta said Tanzania was already exporting bananas to South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia, while pineapples were finding markets in Uganda and the Comoros Islands.
He said strengthening production and trade in these crops would create further economic opportunities for farmers and businesses while increasing Tanzania's competitiveness in regional and international markets.