Why TADB should invest in post-harvest infrastructure

DODOMA: Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) to invest in post-harvest infrastructure, including the construction of modern storage facilities, in order to strengthen the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) and enable farmers to access loans using their produce as collateral.

The Premier issued the directive in Dodoma on Saturday when he inspected sponsors’ pavilions and demonstration farms at the Dr John Samuel Malecela Grounds in Nzuguni, ahead of officiating at the week-long 2026 National and International Nane Nane Exhibitions.

In discharging this task, the Premier called on the financial institution to strengthen collaboration with the ministries responsible for agriculture and livestock, as well as the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG).

Dr Mwigulu also commended TADB for its significant contribution to accelerating the development of the country’s agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors, while urging the bank to increase its financial capacity to reach more farmers, livestock keepers and fishers through productive lending services.

Speaking at the TADB pavilion, the Prime Minister said the bank has continued to serve as a catalyst for agricultural transformation by facilitating access to capital that boosts production, adds value to agricultural products, strengthens food security and promotes national economic growth.

He said the government continues to invest in the development of the agricultural sector, but long-term success requires strong financial institutions such as TADB to ensure that farmers, livestock keepers and fishers can easily access capital without relying solely on subsidies.

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“We need a TADB with greater capital so that it can meet the needs of the agricultural sector and finance the purchase of agricultural inputs, fertilisers, modern machinery and value-addition projects. This is the way to build a productive and competitive agricultural sector,” the Prime Minister said.

For his part, TADB Managing Director Frank Nyabundege said the bank has continued to fulfil its mandate of financing strategic projects that are transforming the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors in the country.

Mr Nyabundege, whose bank is the main sponsor of the exhibition, said TADB’s capital had grown rapidly from 60 billion shillings at its inception to 452bn/-.

With the increased capital, Mr Nyabundege said the bank had so far provided 1.55 trillion shillings in financing, reaching more than 300,000 people engaged directly and indirectly in the agricultural value chain.

This year’s event is themed “Identify the Market, Increase Productivity, Implement Vision 2050,” calling on producers to understand the market and identify market demand before producing.

The theme also urges them to boost productivity through the efficient use of resources while ensuring that their production aligns directly with the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.