Tanzania banks on natural gas-agriculture partnership for economic growth

DODOMA: THE Director General of the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), Eng Charles Sangweni has highlighted the strong interdependence between the natural gas and agriculture sectors, stating that if effectively integrated, these two sectors could significantly boost Tanzania’s economy.

Speaking during his visit to the Nane Nane International Agricultural Exhibition currently underway in Dodoma, he emphasized that natural gas produced in Tanzania holds great potential as a raw material for the manufacture of ammonia, a key ingredient in producing various fertilizers, including urea.

“By utilizing our natural gas resources to produce fertilizers locally, we can not only reduce import dependence but also support farmers with more affordable and readily available agricultural inputs,” he said.

He further noted that the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel in vehicles has already contributed to lowering transportation costs. Expanding this to include vehicles transporting agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products could lead to even greater savings and improved supply chain efficiency.

On the other hand, he acknowledged the crucial role of the agriculture sector in supporting oil and gas development projects. He pointed out that agriculture supplies essential food and services to experts and workers involved in energy projects across the country.

Despite this vital contribution, Sangweni expressed concern over ongoing challenges, particularly the need for agricultural products to meet high-quality standards demanded by international energy companies. He noted that currently, only a small number of Tanzanian suppliers can meet these requirements.

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Nevertheless, he affirmed PURA’s commitment to addressing these gaps. “In collaboration with various stakeholders, PURA is working diligently to raise the standards and quality of locally produced agricultural goods to meet international expectations and unlock broader economic benefits,” he concluded.

Eng Sangweni’s remarks underscore a growing recognition of the potential synergy between Tanzania’s natural gas and agriculture sectors a partnership that could play a pivotal role in driving sustainable economic transformation.