Kabudi stresses food security for national development

KAGERA: MINISTER for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, has underscored the importance of food security as a cornerstone of sustainable development and a key driver of economic and social stability.

He said agriculture remains central to the rehabilitation and transformation of the country’s economy, noting that strategic investment in the sector is essential for long-term growth.

“Exploration of fertile areas and conducting research on suitable crops for optimum production is the only sustainable path towards food self-sufficiency and earning substantial foreign exchange,” Prof Kabudi said.

The remarks were delivered on his behalf by the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr George Simbachawene at the annual year-end cultural festival, locally known as Ijuk’Omuka, held recently in Bukoba Municipality under the theme ‘Make Kagera Great Again’.

Prof Kabudi noted that despite Tanzania being an agricultural country, food security remains a pressing concern, particularly in the face of climate and economic challenges.

“For food systems to effectively respond to the needs of the most vulnerable, they must be resilient, sustainable and inclusive in nature,” he said, adding that the government is taking bold steps to transform food systems to better serve populations most in need.

He cited prolonged dry spells, floods, high food prices and low household purchasing power as some of the major challenges facing the agricultural sector.

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Earlier, Kagera Regional Commissioner, Ms Fatma Mwassa, informed the minister that the region enjoys adequate food supplies, including bananas, beans and fisheries resources from Lake Victoria and 14 satellite lakes, stressing that food availability is not a major challenge in the region.

She said Kagera produces nearly 2.4 million tonnes of bananas annually, about 60 per cent of the national output, and more than 50,000 tonnes of coffee, accounting for roughly 50 per cent of Tanzania’s total production.

The region also benefits from favourable climatic conditions during the September–January and March–May seasons. Ms Mwassa said Kagera is strategically positioned for economic growth due to its location bordering Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, and its access to Kenya through Lake Victoria.

She described the region as a gateway to a vast market of about 400 million people, presenting immense opportunities for trade and investment. The regional commissioner invited both local and international investors to capitalise on the abundant economic opportunities available, citing a favourable investment climate across multiple sectors.

She assured potential investors of the region’s readiness, highlighting the availability of fertile land, security, a reliable workforce and minimal bureaucratic barriers. Ms Mwassa attributed the improved investment environment to the enactment of the new Investment Act of 2022 by the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Under the new law, the minimum capital requirement for local investors has been reduced to 125m/-, significantly lower than the 1.25bn/- required for foreign investors. Previously, local investors were required to invest a minimum of 100,000 US dollars (about 248m/-).

“We invite investors, including those in the diaspora, to tap into the growing economic opportunities. The government values strong partnerships with the private sector, which are key to facilitating investment.

Kagera offers abundant and secure opportunities, including tourism assets such as BurigiChato National Park,” Ms Mwassa said. She also thanked President Samia for allocating substantial funds to social services, including health, education, water and infrastructure.

“Between 2020 and 2025, Kagera has recorded significant development following government allocation of 1.13tri/- for development projects,” she said.

Ms Mwassa added that the government is implementing major infrastructure projects, including tarmac roads and the MV Mwanza ‘Hapa Kazi Tu’ vessel, to improve transportation of people and goods.