DAR ES SALAAM: ON December 9, 1961, Tanzania emerged as an independent nation, inheriting a wealth of potential but also immense challenges, especially in its agricultural sector.
For decades, agriculture remained the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, but it was largely subsistence based and underdeveloped.
As Tanzania celebrates 63 years of independence, the journey of its agricultural transformation tells a story of resilience, reform and a vision for sustainability.
In 1961, over 85 per cent of Tanzanians relied on agriculture for survival, yet the sector suffered from low productivity, outdated techniques and limited market access. Smallholder farmers, the backbone of the economy, often lacked access to credit, modern tools and high-yield seeds.
The challenges were immense, but so was the determination to create a self-reliant nation.
The introduction of the Ujamaa Villages in the 1960s was one of the first significant reforms. Spearheaded by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, these collective farming systems aimed to promote equitable resource sharing and productivity.
This vision for agriculture laid the foundation for future reforms that would continue to shape the sector.
In 2022, the government launched the Agenda 10/30 Roadmap, aiming to revolutionise Tanzania’s agricultural sector. The agenda sets a bold goal of achieving a 10 per cent annual growth rate in agriculture by 2030, with a focus on enhancing productivity, value addition and export capacity.
This roadmap seeks to increase irrigation coverage, expand post-harvest infrastructure and boost export earnings, particularly for horticultural products. These efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to ensure food security and sustainable agriculture.
Tanzania’s agricultural sector remains a key pillar of the national economy. In 2023, it grew by 4.2 per cent, contributing 26.5 per cent to the national GDP, providing employment to 65.6 per cent of the population and supplying 65 per cent of raw materials to industries.
The government’s efforts to modernise the sector have led to significant improvements in food security. In the 2023/24 season, Tanzania produced 20.4 million tonnes of food, a 19 per cent increase from the previous year.
This achievement resulted in food self-sufficiency of 124 per cent, with a surplus of over 4 million tonnes. Crops such as maize and rice showed remarkable growth, with outputs increasing by 24.8 per cent and 36.5 per cent, respectively.
Professor Daniel Ndyetabula from the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) said that agriculture has been the cornerstone of Tanzanians’ lives since independence, recognised as a national treasure immediately after the country attained its sovereignty.
Speaking at the symposium titled “The Journey of Agriculture in 63 Years of Independence,” Prof Ndyetabula highlighted how the sector has evolved to benefit more farmers, increase exports and sustain the national economy.
He said that the vision of making agriculture a national treasure stemmed from its significant contributions to society, particularly in food production and improving livelihoods.
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According to Prof Ndyetabula, ongoing efforts aim to grow the agricultural sector in a way that will benefit more farmers, with an eye toward ensuring the sector contributes even more to the national economy through increased exports once domestic demands are met.
The 1980s saw a shift toward market liberalisation, with policies introduced to privatise the agricultural sector and encourage private investment in agro-processing industries and export-oriented farming. The introduction of hybrid seeds and chemical fertilisers led to increased productivity.
One of the most ambitious reforms, Kilimo Kwanza, launched in 2009, sought to modernise agriculture by incorporating technology, improving irrigation and expanding access to financing.
This initiative saw the construction of new irrigation schemes and the provision of loans to smallholder farmers, enabling them to invest in mechanised tools and diversify crops.
Irrigation projects have expanded significantly, with the total irrigated area expected to reach 983,466 hectares by 2025, achieving 81.95 per cent of the target set in the national agenda.
These efforts have increased productivity and enhanced resilience against climate change, a critical focus as Tanzania adapts to the challenges posed by climate variability.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Hussein Omar, said that the government is actively working to establish sufficient infrastructure to support sustainable cultivation by constructing 105 agricultural infrastructure projects across the country, all focused on irrigation.
In addition to these efforts, he said the government is conducting feasibility studies on basins nationwide to enhance their capacity to produce diverse agricultural crops, with the ultimate goal of ensuring national food security.
Over the past decade, the government has prioritised sustainability and resilience. Initiatives like the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) have brought together public and private sector efforts to improve infrastructure, increase market access and promote climate-smart agriculture.
While significant progress has been made, challenges remain. Climate change, limited access to financing and gaps in extension services continue to hinder full sector potential.
The government’s ongoing investment in research, technology and farmer training is expected to bridge these gaps and further drive sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.
From early struggles with subsistence farming to the modern, dynamic agricultural sector seen today, Tanzania’s journey exemplifies resilience and innovation.
The Agenda 10/30 Roadmap serves as a beacon of hope, paving the way for a prosperous, food-secure future for all Tanzanians. Through continued investment and reform, agriculture remains poised to drive Tanzania’s socio-economic development in the years to come.
