Tanzania: AGRA seeks more technology adoption to increase agriculture output

*Over USD 51m grants for agri-development in 10 years

By Friday Simbaya Mbeya,

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has called for greater adoption of technology in agriculture for smallholder farmers for assurance of continued national food security and surplus production for the market.

AGRA Country Head for Tanzania, Dr Mary Mgonja made the assertion while addressing a joint press conference on Sunday at John Mwakangale Grounds, in Mbeya where Farmer’s Day (Nane Nane) is being celebrated at national level. About ten organizations, which partner with AGRA in Tanzania were also present at the press conference.

Dr Mgonja said she was very optimistic about the future of agriculture in Tanzania as the best means available to lift millions of smallholder farmers from poverty.

“Tanzania is a priority country for AGRA. Since 2006, AGRA has funded 96 grants to support agriculture valued at over USD 51m,” she said.

According to Dr Mgonja the grants have played a great role in addressing the challenges small scale farmers face across the agriculture value chain, from seeds and soils to markets, access to finance and policy.

Some of the results of the investment have been introduction of improved seed varieties, better fertilizers, post-harvest handling and storage technology for grains and innovative agricultural finance, among other outputs.

“I urge more and more farmers to adopt new technology in agriculture - ranging from improved seeds to storage technologies, which if adequately used, could increase production and halt wastage after harvest. It's the key to economic libation for small farmers,” she noted.

Since the introduction of PIC bags, about three companies are involved in manufacturing, and hundreds of agro dealers are marketing those hermetic storage technologies reaching hundreds and thousands of farmers.

Dr Mgonja hailed the government of Tanzania for making progress in improving agriculture policy environment to address challenges faced by stakeholders in the sector.

“AGRA will continue collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries to ensure AGRA activities align with the government’s agriculture initiatives,” she said. She added that AGRA support at the moment was aligned to government’s Big Result now and Kilimo Kwanza, in as far as agriculture development was concerned.

Some of the organizations partnering with AGRA at show included Tanzania Seeds Trade Association (TASTA), CSDI, Equity Bank, Unyiha Associates, BRITEN, RUDI, AGROZ. Other AGRA partners at the show and from public institutions included ARI Uyole, Chollima AGRO, ARI Mlingano and the SAGCOT Centre.

“AGRA has been paramount in enabling a better business environment for seeds trade through Micro Reforms for African Agribusiness (MIRA) project. We are happy from June 2016, in Tanzania we have a confirmed a new seed policy, which was developed in an inclusive way. The policy allows private seed companies to license and produce varieties that were developed and released by public institutions ” Tanzania Seeds Trade Association (TASTA) Executive Director, Mr Baldwin Shuma, said.

Dr Matilda Kalumuna, of Agricultural Research Institute Mlingano –Tanga, said AGRA had supported the institution with almost USD 400,000 to strengthen the institution and is capacity to implementFertilizer Quality Control operations.

“Through the project, 100 fertilizer inspectors, 15 analysts were trained, 338 Agro-dealers sensitized and at about 8000 stakeholders sensitized. As a result of this project, companies and Agro-dealers turned up for registration by TFRA, fertilizers on the market are being registered, inspected and analyzed. Adulterated and substandard fertilizers are being identified and taken out of the market.”

“Equity Bank Tanzania has partnered with AGRA to establish a revolving fund for financing hermetic grain storage manufacturers. In our pilot project for Njombe, Morogoro and Iringa, we are offering agro-dealersTSH 5 to 30 million loans to buy PICS bags, metal silos and cocoons, from this month,“ Enesto Josephat, Equity Bank Tanzania, Agribusiness sector head”.

Mr Owekisha Kwigizile, SAGCOT Centre Potato specialist

“At the moment in Tanzania, we only have only three legally recognised potato varieties, despite the crop being a major food crop across the country. SAGCOT center and other partners like AGRA, among others we are working together to increase the number of improved varieties, which are higher yielding.”

Four Armed Robbery Suspects Killed In Shootout With Police In Songwe

“This is Vwawa Bus Stand, where the incident occurred in which armed robbers shot and killed a security guard before fleeing with various items.” Songwe. Four suspected armed robbers have been shot dead following a confrontation with police in Songwe Region after allegedly being involved in a violent raid on a mobile phone and financial services shop in Vwawa town, Mbozi District, in which a security guard was killed. According to a statement issued today, December 30, 2025, by the Songwe Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Augustino Senga, the incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. The suspects reportedly stormed the shop, owned by businessman Gabriel Msemwa, at the Vwawa main bus stand, killed the guard, William Mwampashi (45), and fled with assorted items. The deceased suspects have been identified as Bruce Mwasenga, Eliuta Mapunda, Abdul Chiba, and Justine, known by a single name. SACP Senga said police immediately launched intensive, inte...

JAB Yawasogeza Huduma Waandishi Iringa, Yaomba Ushirikiano Kudhibiti Waandishi Wasioidhinishwa

Iringa. Bodi ya Ithibati ya Waandishi wa Habari (JAB) imeendelea na jitihada za kusogeza huduma zake kwa waandishi wa habari nchini, safari hii ikifika katika Klabu ya Waandishi wa Habari Iringa (Iringa Press Club – IPC), ikiwa ni sehemu ya mkakati wa kuboresha tasnia ya habari na kulinda taaluma ya uandishi wa habari. Akizungumza wakati wa kikao na waandishi wa habari mkoani Iringa, Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Bodi ya Ithibati ya Waandishi wa Habari (JAB), Wakili Patrick Kipangula, amesema lengo la ziara hiyo ni kutoa elimu kuhusu majukumu ya bodi, mchakato wa ithibati pamoja na kusikiliza changamoto zinazowakabili waandishi wa habari ngazi ya mikoa. Wakili Kipangula amesema bado kuna changamoto ya uwepo wa watu wanaojihusisha na shughuli za uandishi wa habari bila kuwa na ithibati halali, hali inayochafua tasnia na kuhatarisha maadili ya kazi hiyo nyeti. “Tunawaomba waandishi wa habari kushirikiana na Bodi kwa kuwafichua watu wanaojitambulisha kama waandishi bila kuwa na ithiba...

MUCE IMPLEMENTS SH18.6 BILLION PROJECT IN HONOUR OF FATHER OF THE NATION’S VISION

Iringa. As Tanzania marks 26 years since the passing of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere — a passionate advocate for education — Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), continues to successfully implement the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project worth over Sh18.6 billion. Speaking to journalists in Iringa, MUCE Principal Prof Method Samwel Semiono said the project, implemented by the government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, aims to reform the higher education system so it can directly contribute to the country’s economic transformation. “The five-year project (2021/2022–2025/2026) is funded by the World Bank and focuses on curriculum improvement, infrastructure development, human resource capacity building, inclusive education and gender equality, as well as promoting the use of ICT and digital learning,” explained Prof Semiono. He no...

PAMLOMO-SAUTI YA JAMII

Search This Blog