Ministry, NM-AIST sign MoU to boost agriculture

DODOMA: The Ministry of Agriculture and the Arusha-based Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in science and technology aimed at boosting the country’s agricultural sector.

The MoU was signed in Dodoma on Monday by the Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Gerald Mweli, while NM-AIST was represented by its Vice Chancellor, Prof Maulilio Kipanyula.

Speaking prior to the signing, Mr Mweli said that following extensive discussions between the two institutions, they agreed to formalize the collaboration to clearly define each party’s role in serving the public, especially in relation to agriculture.

“The Ministry is responsible for policy oversight and service delivery to citizens. To deliver these services effectively, we need expertise. We aim to collaborate with NM-AIST specifically in areas such as production, preservation, and value addition of crops. Citizens want results, not bureaucratic processes. What matters to them is hearing that next year there will be no tomato paste shortages or post-harvest losses,” he said.

He added: “This agreement ensures that when NM-AIST plans its activities, we are part of those plans—ensuring that the public is served effectively. In our planning, we will continue to consider NM-AIST as a strategic partner in solving agricultural challenges.”

The PS noted that last year, the Ministry signed a similar MoU with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), which has already yielded tangible results. Under that collaboration, SUA has been recruiting youth for the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme. He said the new MoU with NM-AIST is a continuation of those efforts.

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In support of agriculture transformation, Mr Mweli said the government has quadrupled the budget for the sector—from 294bn/- in 2020/21 to 1.2tri/- in 2024/25, with the allocation for research and development increasing from 11bn/- to 60bn/-.

“This investment is to strengthen infrastructure for seed production and ensure the availability of high-quality seeds. For example, we previously faced challenges with potato quality, forcing big hotels to import them. But thanks to the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), we now have quality local seed varieties—and we no longer need to import,” he stated.

Speaking at the event, Prof Kipanyula said that under the new MoU, NM-AIST will focus on strengthening the use of digital technologies, improving data collection and processing, and applying artificial intelligence (AI) to support the agricultural sector and promote value addition.

The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha is one in a network of Pan-African Institutions of Science and Technology located across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). These institutions, which are the proud brainchild of the late Nelson Mandela, envision training and developing the next generation of African scientists and engineers with a view to impacting profoundly on the continent’s development through the application of Science, Engineering and Technology and Innovation (SETI).