Tanzania, Canada explore opportunities in agriculture

DODOMA: DEPUTY Minister for Agriculture, David Silinde held talks with a delegation from the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians (CAFP) in Dodoma recently focusing on how the two countries can boost cooperation in the agriculture sector.

The discussion between the deputy minister and the CAFP delegation led by Yasmin Ratansi cantred on various areas, including investment opportunities, understanding Tanzania’s agricultural environment and exploring areas of strategic cooperation between Tanzania and Canada.

Mr Silinde said one of the key priorities is reducing imports of high-demand agricultural products such as wheat and edible oil, noting that the country currently spends significant foreign exchange on these imports.

According to Silinde, Tanzania imports wheat at an annual cost of between 200 million and 250 million US dollars.

He added that the country also imports edible oil at a cost of about 250 million to 300 million US dollars annually, along with other agricultural products.

With such trend, the deputy minister said that Tanzania is keen to cut dependence on importing such commodities.

The Deputy Minister added that the government is strengthening irrigation farming, improving access to modern agricultural tools and developing agricultural value chains to create employment, particularly for youth and women.

He noted that Tanzania values its cooperation with Canada and that there is still significant potential to expand collaboration in areas such as research, irrigation infrastructure, agricultural technology and value chain investment.