Nanenane to advance agri mechanisation

DODOMA: TANZANIA is set to use this year’s Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition to accelerate value addition in the agriculture sector, with more than 17 international agribusiness companies expected to showcase modern technologies.

The 33rd Nanenane Exhibition will be held in Dodoma, providing farmers, livestock keepers and fishers with an opportunity to learn about innovations that can increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and improve incomes.

Director of Agricultural Mechanisation and Value Addition in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Anna Mwangamilo, said the exhibition, themed “Know the Market, Add Value to Implement Vision 2050,” has attracted exhibitors from several countries, making it an international platform for sharing advanced agricultural technologies.

“This year, the Dodoma Zone exhibition is also an international event. We have attracted more than 17 companies from different countries that will showcase a wide range of agricultural machinery and technologies,” she said.

She said the exhibition will feature technologies covering the entire agricultural value chain, including land preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, transportation, storage and processing.

According to Ms Mwangamilo, visitors will witness practical demonstrations of mechanised farming equipment, crop-processing machines and improved storage facilities designed to minimise post-harvest losses while increasing the value of agricultural produce.

She noted that value addition enables farmers to transform raw produce into higher-value products, citing sunflower processing into cooking oil as an example of how farmers can increase profitability.

“Our responsibility is to promote the use of agricultural machinery and train farmers on the proper application of technologies throughout the production chain so they can increase productivity, raise incomes and contribute to national food security,” she said.

Ms Mwangamilo added that demonstration plots will showcase modern farming practices, including mechanised land preparation, precision planting and efficient irrigation systems.

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She said one of the key attractions this year will be water-efficient irrigation technologies that enable farmers to achieve higher yields while using limited water resources.

The exhibition will also introduce renewable energy-powered technologies, including solar- and windpowered systems, aimed at reducing dependence on diesel and conventional electricity in agricultural production.

Visitors will also learn about cold-storage technologies for fruits and vegetables, which help preserve perishable produce for longer periods before processing and marketing in domestic and international markets.

Ms Mwangamilo urged farmers, livestock keepers, fishers and residents of Dodoma and neighbouring regions to attend the exhibition and take advantage of the opportunity to interact with experts and technology providers.

“We have prepared many practical demonstrations, and our experts will be available to provide technical advice on the latest technologies that can transform agriculture,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) Central Zone Manager, Mr Yodas Mwanakatwe, said lending to organised groups enables the bank to reach more farmers while simplifying the loan approval process.

“We encourage smallholder farmers to organise themselves into registered groups because it becomes easier for them to access loans. In many cases, collateral is not a major challenge, as we can use the farms they cultivate and also support them through our credit guarantee scheme,” he said.

Mr Mwanakatwe said the bank also collaborates with commercial banks to guarantee loans for farmers who lack sufficient collateral, enabling them to secure financing for agricultural activities.

He added that TADB has put in place risk-management measures, including agricultural insurance, to protect farmers against drought and other unforeseen events.

“If farmers fail to repay because of circumstances beyond their control, such as inadequate rainfall, we first establish the cause and seek solutions. Insurance absorbs part of the risk and, where necessary, farmers are allowed to continue farming in the next season before resuming loan repayment,” he said.

As the main sponsor of this year’s Nanenane Exhibition, Mr Mwanakatwe said TADB has established a dedicated pavilion where farmers will receive financial literacy training, business advisory services and expert guidance on agribusiness opportunities.

He added that the bank has also invited insurance specialists, governance experts and successful agribusiness entrepreneurs to share practical experiences with visitors, helping them strengthen farm management, access financing and build resilient agricultural enterprises.