Biteko: Cooperatives vital for economic growth
DODOMA: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has affirmed that cooperative societies are key instruments in uniting citizens and driving economic development.
Dr Biteko made the statement over the weekend during the official closing of the International Day of Cooperatives celebrations held in Dodoma, where he commended the country’s farmers for their role in increasing agricultural production and contributing significantly to national food security and economic growth.
He noted that the agricultural sector currently contributes 26 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stressing that it plays a crucial role in ensuring food availability for Tanzanians.
“While other countries face challenges in food supply, Tanzanians are assured of food security due to the government’s support for farmers and their growing participation in agribusiness,” he said.
Dr Biteko also highlighted the improving performance of cooperative societies in the country. He said that during the 2024/2025 financial year, 1,084 cooperatives directly exported coffee and tobacco, generating 344.8 million US dollars, up from 325.5 million US dollars in 2023/2024—an increase of 19.3 million US dollars.
He further noted that the number of cooperatives receiving clean audit reports from the Cooperative Audit and Supervision Corporation (COASCO) rose from 339 in 2021/2022 to 631 in 2023/2024.
Meanwhile, those with adverse audit reports significantly dropped from 1,198 to 263 during the same period.
Dr Biteko called on cooperative societies to adopt strategies that promote the participation of women, aiming to increase the number of women-led cooperatives beyond the current 50.
He urged the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture to find sustainable solutions to persistent challenges facing farmers, including crop pricing, input availability and access to essential farming resources.
“The Sixth-Phase Government views cooperatives as vital platforms for people to come together and improve their economic standing,” he said, adding that the government will continue to support all efforts aimed at advancing the economic and social growth of cooperatives.
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Dr Biteko applauded the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan for prioritising the agricultural sector and commended Minister for Agriculture, Mr Hussein Bashe, for steering the sector in line with the President’s goals to economically uplift farmers and strengthen the national economy.
He also praised Dr Benson Ndiege, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission, for his efforts in promoting cooperative performance and encouraged cooperatives to establish processing industries to add value to their products and expand market access.
In his remarks, Minister Bashe thanked President Samia for her continued support for agriculture, citing increased budget allocations, crop subsidies and the establishment of the Crop Regulatory Authority (COPRA) as key achievements.
Minister Bashe further noted that government investments in rural infrastructure, including electrification and roads, are accelerating development and enabling farmers to set up local processing facilities and improve produce distribution.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Ms Rosemary Senyamule, reported that the region now has 244 cooperative societies.
She observed that public awareness of the importance of cooperatives is growing, particularly regarding their contribution to community development.
Dr Ndiege, presented a report covering the 2022/2023 to 2024/2025 period, highlighting major milestones including the establishment of cooperative banks in four regions to enhance financial services for members.
