Agroforestry Conference to promote youth investment and economic opportunities

MUSOMA: VI Agroforestry is set to convene the 11th National Agroforestry Conference from October 19–21 at the Agroforestry Training Centre in Bweri, Musoma, as part of efforts to promote investment and expand economic opportunities for young people through agroforestry.

Vi Agroforestry Resident Manager, Martha Olotu, said that the conference would be held under the theme “Agroforestry for Youth and Investment” and is expected to bring together approximately 8,000 participants physically, with others participating virtually.

She said the conference aims to accelerate access to financing, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and promote practical action across the agroforestry sector.

“This conference seeks to transform agroforestry opportunities into viable investments, unlock economic opportunities for young people, strengthen food security and contribute to landscape restoration,” Olotu said.

“We invite the Government, investors, development partners, researchers, farmers and young people to come together to discuss and plan joint implementation,” she said.

Olotu said that, building on more than a decade of national dialogue and four decades of community-based agroforestry implementation, the 11th National Agroforestry Conference would focus on linking policy, investment and implementation.

She said the conference would bring together Government representatives, farmers, researchers, civil society organisations, financial institutions, development partners, businesses and young people to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and agree on practical measures to expand agroforestry across Tanzania.

The conference would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress in implementing the National Agroforestry Strategy, review resolutions of the National Agroforestry Advisory Committee and agree on priority actions requiring further attention.

Olotu said the conference would also witness the launch of the Tanzania Agroforestry Stakeholders Platform (TASP), which is expected to strengthen stakeholder coordination and facilitate the integration of conference recommendations into policies, plans, budgets and investment programmes.

She said the three-day conference programme had been structured around three complementary areas.

“The first day will focus on green business and investment opportunities for young people in agroforestry,” she said.

“The second day will examine the contribution of agroforestry to climate change adaptation, food security and landscape restoration, while the third day will focus on strengthening the implementation of agroforestry policies,” she added.

Olotu said the Youth Dialogue would bring together young people, policymakers, financial institutions, investors, farmers and business operators to discuss barriers affecting access to capital, land, markets and professional services.

“Through discussions and business idea presentations, participants will identify business opportunities, financing challenges and practical steps for implementing recommendations to be presented during the closing session of the conference,” she said.

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She added that other activities would include plenary sessions, technical presentations, innovation and business exhibitions, practical field training, farmer experience-sharing sessions, investment discussions and business-to-business networking opportunities linking entrepreneurs with potential commercial partners.

Participants would also receive practical exposure to various agroforestry systems at the Agroforestry Training Centre in Bweri, Musoma.