Tanzania seeks to bolster ties with World Food Foundation in advancing its agro-business

DES MOINES: PRIME Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has proposed a partnership between Tanzania and the World Food Prize Foundation to enable young people to access training, conduct research and become self-employed through modern agriculture.

The foundation’s leadership has welcomed the proposal and expressed its readiness to continue discussions on the possibility of establishing its youth-focused programme, known as the Youth Institute, in Tanzania.

Dr Nchemba made the proposal during talks with the foundation’s senior leaders, including President Mashal Husain and Chief Executive Officer Tom Vilsack, on the sidelines of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue (Borlaug Dialogue) in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.

The Prime Minister said Tanzania aims to strengthen collaboration between its universities, agricultural research institutions and international partners to equip young Tanzanians with the knowledge, technology and experience needed to run agriculture as a business.

He said the government continues to address challenges facing young people in the agricultural sector, including access to land, capital and loans, as well as changing perceptions that agriculture is an option only for those who lack other opportunities.

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Dr Nchemba noted that the success of young people who have established agricultural companies and created jobs for others demonstrates the opportunities available in modern agriculture and the sector’s potential to generate employment and increase incomes.

For her part, World Food Prize Foundation President Mashal Husain said the Youth Institute programme equips students with research skills and enables them to propose solutions to challenges in food and agriculture. High-performing participants may also gain opportunities to take part in international programmes.

Dr Nchemba also asked the foundation to consider hosting a regional DialogueNEXT meeting in Tanzania. Husain said the foundation was willing to continue discussions on the possibility of holding the meeting in the country.