‘Innovation and sustainability are co-pilots for agri-food sector’s future’

TOP Agri-Food Pioneers recently awarded Dr INNOCENSIA JOHN, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Dar es Salaam, for driving significant change through groundbreaking solutions. In an interview with DAILY NEWS Reporter DATIVA MINJA, Dr JOHN discusses the most pressing challenges facing the agri-food sector in the years ahead…

QUESTION:   As a Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP) in the agri-food sector, what do you see as the most pressing challenges for the industry in the next decade and how can innovation and sustainability work together to address them?

Answer: As a recipient of the Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP) recognition, I see the agri-food sector facing several critical challenges in the coming decade, including:

1. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation: Unpredictable weather patterns, rising temperatures and diminishing natural resources are major threats. Innovation in climate-smart agriculture, such as drought-resistant crops, precision farming and sustainable land use practices, will be essential.
2. Food Security and Nutrition: With the growing global populations, yet malnutrition and hunger persist. To address this, the sector needs scalable solutions that increase productivity while preserving nutritional quality.

iii.  Supply Chain Resilience: Crises, such as pandemics or conflicts, cause vulnerability of food supply chains. Innovations in localised food systems and sustainable logistics.

1. Policy and Investment Gaps; without supportive policies and sufficient investment, implementing sustainable innovations will be challenging.

QUESTION:   How innovation and sustainability work together?

Answer: Innovation and sustainability must be co-pilots driving the sector forward. Sustainable practices can provide a foundation for innovations to flourish, ensuring they are socially equitable and environmentally viable. For instance: Data-Driven Solutions: Leveraging big data and AI can optimise resource use while monitoring environmental impacts. Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Combining traditional agricultural practices with modern science ensures innovation respects cultural and ecological contexts. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborative efforts between stakeholders can scale solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

QUESTION:  How did you feel being among the TAP?

Answer: Being recognised as one of the Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP) was an incredible honour and a deeply humbling experience. It felt empowering to see my efforts in research and innovation acknowledged on a global platform. This recognition is not just a personal milestone but also a testament to the potential of collective action and the impact we can create when we dedicate ourselves to addressing real-world challenges in the agri-food sector. I felt an immense sense of pride—not only for myself but for the teams and communities I have collaborated with over the years. It reinforced my belief in the power of innovation, interdisciplinary research and sustainability as key drivers for transforming food systems. More than anything, it inspired me to continue pushing boundaries, mentoring others and working tirelessly to create lasting, positive change in agriculture and food security. The recognition also comes with a profound sense of responsibility to contribute even more meaningfully to global efforts, ensuring that innovation benefits those who need it most—especially smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.

QUESTION:  What motivated you to work on food systems through sustainable agriculture, youth empowerment and the promotion of indigenous crops?

Answer: This work started off as a team work from my team, Dr Chewe Nkonde from Zambia, Dr Colleta Gandizanwa from South Africa and Prof Diane Holt from United Kingdom under the FSNet project. The idea to work on food systems stems from witnessing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly in accessing sustainable livelihoods and adapting to climate change.

Moreover, we saw the untapped potential of indigenous crops to enhance nutrition, resilience and economic opportunities for communities. Moreover, I believe empowering youth is crucial for the future of agriculture; their energy and innovation can drive transformative change. Combining these elements allows me to contribute to building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems that honour both tradition and progress.

QUESTION:  Are there any women you have empowered or what plans do you have to empower young women?

Answer: I have mentored several young women through research projects and capacity-building initiatives, encouraging them to pursue careers in agriculture and food systems. By sharing knowledge, providing networking opportunities and advocating for gender equity, I aim to inspire them to take leadership roles in transforming food systems. Going forward, I plan to establish skill-building workshops specifically for young women, focusing on entrepreneurship, sustainable farming and leveraging indigenous crops to create value chains.

QUESTION: What steps can be taken to make agriculture more sustainable in Tanzania.

Answer: One to Promote Climate-Smart Agriculture: Encourage practices like crop diversification, agroforestry and conservation agriculture to enhance resilience to climate change while improving soil health. Two Invest in Indigenous Crops: Scale up the use of drought-tolerant and nutrient-rich indigenous crops, which are well-suited to local conditions, to boost food security and preserve biodiversity. Three Improve Access to Resources: Provide smallholder farmers with better access to affordable inputs, credit, technology and training to adopt sustainable practices effectively. Four Strengthen Policy and Research: Advocate for policies that support sustainable agriculture and invest in research to develop context-specific solutions for soil, water and pest management. Five Youth and Women Empowerment: Engage youth and women in agriculture by providing entrepreneurship training, mentorship and financial support to drive innovation and sustainability. And, six Enhance Market Systems: Develop value chains for sustainable agricultural products, ensuring fair pricing and reducing post-harvest losses through improved storage and processing facilities.

QUESTION: What are the biggest challenges facing Tanzania’s agricultural sector today?

Answer: Tanzania’s agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including climate change, limited access to modern farming technologies, inadequate infrastructure and persistent issues of market access and resource scarcity for smallholder farmers.

QUESTION: How can Tanzania leverage technology to boost its agricultural productivity?

Answer: I am not an expert in this, though Tanzania can leverage technology to boost agricultural productivity by embracing digital and precision farming solutions. Mobile-based platforms can provide farmers with real-time weather updates, market prices and agricultural advice, empowering them to make informed decisions.

Precision agriculture technologies, such as GPS, drones, can optimise resource use, improve soil health and enhance crop yields. Mechanisation, including affordable access to modern farming equipment, can increase efficiency and reduce labour intensity, particularly for smallholder farmers. Additionally, digital tools like blockchain can enhance supply chain transparency, ensuring fair trade and minimising post-harvest losses. By integrating these technologies with training and extension services, Tanzania can create a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.

QUESTION: What role do you see smallholder farmers playing in Tanzania’s future food security?

Answer: Smallholder farmers are the backbone of Tanzania’s agricultural sector and will play a critical role in ensuring the country’s future food security. They produce the majority of the nation’s food, making them essential in addressing the growing demand for nutritious and affordable food. By adopting sustainable practices, leveraging indigenous crops and utilising appropriate technologies, smallholder farmers can enhance productivity while conserving natural resources. Their role extends beyond food production to contributing to rural employment and economic stability. Supporting them through access to resources, training, and market linkages will empower smallholders to drive innovation and resilience in Tanzania’s food systems, ensuring both national and regional food security.

QUESTION: How can Tanzania improve its agricultural value chains to reduce post-harvest losses?

Answer: Tanzania can improve its agricultural value chains and reduce post-harvest losses by investing in modern storage facilities, such as silos and cold storage units, to preserve the quality of produce. Strengthening infrastructure, including rural roads and transportation systems, will ensure faster and safer delivery of goods to markets. Promoting agro-processing industries can add value to raw produce, extend shelf life and reduce waste  for vegetables. Training farmers and traders in post-harvest handling and packaging can minimise damage during transportation and storage.

QUESTION: What role can public-private partnerships (PPP) play in transforming Tanzania’s agri-food sector?

Answer: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can play a pivotal role in transforming Tanzania’s agri-food sector by combining the strengths of both sectors to drive innovation, investment and sustainable growth. The public sector can create an enabling environment through policies, infrastructure development and regulatory frameworks, while the private sector brings in expertise, technology and capital.

PPPs can facilitate the development of modern agricultural infrastructure such as storage facilities, processing plants and market access points, improving efficiency and reducing post-harvest losses. By aligning private sector innovation with public initiatives, such partnerships can also foster research and development, especially in areas like climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming practices.