Why value addition is still Tanzania’s most important subject?

THERE was a time in the country’s history when foreign currencies were largely obtained through the export of cash crops such as sisal, cotton, coffee and tea. Because of their dominance, the country continues to christen them as traditional crops.

These were the real cash cows, not only for the national treasury but also for individual households. They paid school fees, put food on tables, catered for the sick in hospitals and much more. It was easy to tell the difference between a king and a pauper simply by looking at who farmed them and who did not.

Today, the story is quite different, there has been a coup in the palace. This coup is not the result of the incumbents’ weakness but rather the determination of new contenders to take their rightful place.

Cereals and pulses are now leading Tanzania’s food exports. Rightfully so, these products have been feeding the region and the world at large. This shift was driven by several factors, of which I will mention two.

First, the need to respond to internal requirements. The country has endured a series of misfortunes, among them drought and hunger, which have left invaluable lessons.

Although we have not yet achieved our full potential–a feat that will require ambitious steps–some progress has been made that deserves bold recognition.

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Second, the long-standing debate over exporting jobs while consuming what we do not produce. Today, villagers rarely use mortar, pestle, or millstones to grind wheat or corn. Instead, milling machines–both effective and affordable, are readily available.

In Kyela District, Mbeya, for instance, where palm trees grow in abundance, rudimentary but functional machines are used to produce palm oil. What is striking, however, is that the machine owners do not sell the oil themselves. Instead, farmers bring their palm seeds to the processors, who charge only for labour and time.

According to one villager, this practice has contributed to reducing eye diseases in the community, thanks to palm oil’s richness in Vitamin A. Similarly, in regions such as Manyara, where sunflower production is dominant, cooperatives have gone beyond merely marketing raw produce.

They are now actively engaged in producing sunflower oil, supported by government-installed machinery. Clearly, the gospel of value addition, which has long been preached, is finally gaining traction. Adherents are flocking in like sheep. This brings me to the heart of today’s discussion.

With this increase in local processing capacity, the country deserves a grade of B+. The few missing marks are due to quality gaps that still need addressing. Nonetheless, we can now consume most of our own goods without doubting our ability to produce final products.

Unsurprisingly, the country is also receiving export orders for by-products such as maize and paddy bran. This should serve as a reminder to all evangelists of processing and value addition: Frame your message carefully. Do not overemphasise the lucrative foreign markets (though they are real opportunities). Instead, highlight the vast local opportunities.

After all, not everyone will operate in global markets, many will find success in serving domestic needs. Once local demands are fully met, a segment of players will naturally step into international markets. This is not shortsightedness, but rather a strategic and realistic approach. Looking ahead, more effort must be directed toward crops like pigeon peas, chickpeas and green grams.

Currently, limited processing technologies mean that nearly all of these are exported raw, with very little retained locally. If this gap is closed, Tanzanians may no longer lament the skyrocketing price of beans (sometimes rivalling that of meat).

Instead, they could rely on affordable Pigeon peas, which, in places like Mtwara, are currently trading around 800/- per kilo. Beyond the economic perspective, the shift toward local processing also carries strong social implications.

It empowers communities by creating employment opportunities, encourages self-reliance and fosters innovation at the grassroots level. When farmers see tangible value in their produce beyond raw sales, they gain greater bargaining power and are motivated to invest in better farming practices.

This multiplier effect strengthens not only households but also entire districts, driving rural development from the bottom up. Most importantly, the processing industry positions the country to redefine its place in the global market.

By moving away from being a mere supplier of raw materials and stepping into the arena of semiprocessed and finished goods, the country safeguards its resources while maximising their worth. In this way, value addition becomes not just an economic policy but a vision for sovereignty, dignity and prosperity.

The future of Tanzania’s agricultural economy will therefore depend on how boldly and consistently this vision is pursued. In the coming weeks we will discussing the rise of agro mechanisation in the country.

We will shed enough light by bringing up emerging players who are not only producing agro machineries but are currently exporting them to the neighbouring counties.

They are real rising lions of Africa that needs to be celebrated. In conclusion, value addition is not just commercially important, it is also economically vital and a matter of national pride.