Edible oil strategy targets self-sufficiency by 2035

DODOMA: THE government yesterday unveiled a 10-year strategy to make Tanzania self-sufficient in edible oil by 2035, targeting increased oilseed production, expanded processing capacity and fresh investment across the value chain.

The National Edible Oil Strategy (NEOS) 2026–2035 was unveiled during the National Investment Forum on the Edible Oil Value Chain in Dodoma, where stakeholders were also presented with its implementation framework.

Presenting the strategy, Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AMDT) Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the NEOS Preparation Committee, Charles Ogutu, said the blueprint is anchored on six strategic pillars: improving the business environment, increasing access to finance, boosting productivity, strengthening processing capacity, enhancing market systems and creating employment across the value chain.

“The strategy provides a coordinated roadmap that addresses the entire edible oil value chain—from production to processing and marketing—while creating an enabling environment for investment and sustainable growth of the industry,” Mr Ogutu said.

He said implementation of the strategy will increase land under oilseed cultivation to 2.1 million hectares and establish 160,000 hectares of oil palm plantations by 2035, creating more than 900,000 jobs and positioning Tanzania as a major edible oil exporter to East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets.

Mr Ogutu said the strategy will require an estimated 957.6bn/- over the next decade, with financing expected from the government, private investors, financial institutions and development partners.

Speaking during the forum, Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo said the government is committed to ensuring the strategy delivers tangible results, saying the country has all the resources needed to become self-sufficient in edible oil.

“We have no reason to continue importing edible oil when we have suitable land, farmers and investors capable of producing enough to meet our domestic demand and eventually export,” Mr Chongolo said.

He said the government will continue strengthening sunflower production as a short- and medium-term priority while expanding oil palm cultivation as a longterm solution to increasing edible oil output.

The minister also called on banks and financial institutions to provide affordable long-term financing for farmers and investors, saying access to capital remains one of the biggest obstacles to expanding production and processing.

“We need financing that reflects the realities of agriculture, including longer repayment periods and grace periods that allow investors and farmers to succeed,” he said.

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Cereals and Crops Regulatory Board (COPRA) Director General, Ms Irene Mlola, said implementation of the strategy is already underway following the gazetting of the Edible Oil Industry Regulations under Government Notice No. 91.

“The regulations have already become operational. They are intended to regulate the edible oil trade, protect domestic processors and investors, while encouraging greater local investment in edible oil production,” Ms Mlola said.

She said the regulations require anyone seeking to import edible oil to participate in local production, processing or procurement of oilseeds from domestic farmers.

“You cannot just be a trader whose job is only to buy and sell. Anyone importing edible oil must also contribute to reducing the country’s production deficit through farming, processing or purchasing from local producers,” she said.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof Peter Msoffe, said the strategy marks a shift from focusing on the challenges facing the edible oil sector to recognising its enormous economic opportunities.

“For many years we have concentrated on the challenges. This strategy shifts our focus to opportunities because Tanzania has everything needed to become a major edible oil producer,” Prof Msoffe said.

He said although the country requires about 700,000 tonnes of edible oil annually, local production remains below demand, forcing the country to spend more than 200 million US dollars every year on imports.

Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr Needpeace Wambuya, said increasing local production will also unlock the potential of the country’s processing industry