This week in Agribusiness East Africa

Welcome to the Second Edition of Agribusiness East Africa, We take You through a weekly roundup of News, Updates and opportunities in the Agriculture sector across the Eastern Africa. As a preferred stop over point of all agribusiness stakeholders in this week we present you the top Highlights happened over the week across the sector.

This Newsletter is Brought to you by KilimoAfrika from Agri-Hub Tanzania Organization

TOP WEEKLY UPDATES

1. Revamping Agriculture Trade between Tanzania and Kenya.

The Secretary General Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Gerald Mweli on June 16, 2023 met and held talks with the Kenyan Ambassador in Tanzania, Hon. Isack Njenga, on the strengthening of a better business environment as well as withdrawing the challenges in the agriculture trade between Tanzania and Kenya.

The Ministry of Agriculture is increasingly improving the environment forAgriculture Trade for buyers from neighboring countries including Kenya and asking Kenyan traders who come to buy crops to follow the rules and laws of the country.

The Ambassador of Kenya in this country, has said that due to the friendship between Kenya and Tanzania in various fields, the country will continue to cooperate with Tanzania in strengthening the trade of crops.

2. Tanzania Fertilizer Company (TFC) to invest 40 billion Shilling in Inputs

Tanzania Fertilizer Company to inject 40 Billion Shilling to buy inputs and distribute to small holder farmers, However TFC is also set to improve the status of the available storage warehouses which mostly are worn out due to over usage and the closure of TFC years ago.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hon Anthony Mavunde in a parliament session during Q&A assured that as the Revival of TFC is still ongoing, employment opportunities are expected to happen from TFC.

Among the reasons for closure of TFC was excess debts caused by Loans issued to farmers by TFC which weren’t recovered to date. Mavunde added that among the key objectives of The revamped TFC is to collect the unrecovered loans.

3. Top Tobacco International Company Resumes Operations in Tanzania

Back in 2016/17 An International Company Philip Moris International (PMI) seized and closed operations in the country.The World’s largest Tobacco Company has its subsidiary company Philip Morris Tanzania Limited, which has been buying tobacco from the country, After the closure of operations most Tobacco smallholder Farmers have faced depressing challenges on finding reliable and favouring markets.

On Friday Hon President Samia Suluhu Met with the PMI vice president and other PMI stakeholders (MLT) and discussed a new phase of Business relationships with PMI company and reached a mutual agreement that PMI will open the company again and resume the operations.?

Tobacco Production this year will increase to 120,000 Tones and in 2023/24 season the contract of farmers will reach 200,000 Tonnes and will be bought at 2 USD (Tsh 4,780) per kg.? KilimoAfrika calls upon agribusiness stakeholders to invest in Tobacco Farming even as small holder farmers since there is a sustainable market to the Crop.

Tobacco markets for the 2022/2023 farming season continued until the week ending June 11, 2023, Total Tobacco sold was 71,611,927.16 kg with value of USD 164,860,545.47.

The top export destinations of Tanzania tobacco are Germany, Russia, and Poland.

4. TFRA to simplify the Fertilizer Distribution. Less Complex, More Efficient and Effective.

The Ministry of Agriculture has instructed the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) to increase fertilizer distribution centres in order to eliminate the problem that has existed throughout the country of farmers not being able to get fertilizer for a while and sometimes not getting fertilizer at all. The Authority has come up with a strategy to strengthen and move fertilizer closer to farmers.

The first strategy aims to encourage farmers to register and update their information early in the register and subsidy system so as to benefit from the subsidy fertilizer on time. Another strategy is to identify government or private warehouses close to farmers that will be subsidized fertilizer sales centres.

However, cooperatives offices will be used as fertilizer distribution centres to reach farmers more easily, where the Tanzania Fertilizer company will help to deliver fertilizers to inaccessible areas and facilitate more service for farmers.

Farmers are advised to buy inputs early in advance to avoid inconvenience and congestion that may arise if they are late.

5. U.S Launches new program to boost Zanzibar's Horticulture sector.

The U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar launched a new program aimed at strengthening Zanzibar’s horticulture market systems and promoting economic development. The Feed the Future Tanzania Kilimo Tija Activity in Unguja and Pemba Islands will sustainably increase economic opportunities in horticulture, with a special focus on including and empowering youth.

The project works with public and private sector associations, youth-led and women-focused institutions, and national and local government authorities to enhance the horticulture market system and unlock economic opportunities, particularly for youth.

TOP WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES

1.New Rice sorting technology Colour Sorter to boost quality, productivity in Tanzania.

The Colour Sorter machines have the ability to sort out unwanted solid materials using higher-resolution sensors, leaving the rice grains clear and of high quality.

The Colour Sorter machines have the ability to sort out unwanted solid materials using higher-resolution sensors, leaving the rice grains clear and of high quality.

The technology is an initiative of a Japanese company called Satake, which has entered into an agreement with local processors for supply and maintenance. Processors say they are optimistic that the rice sorting technology will open more export markets to Tanzania-produced rice, whose quality has been the stumbling block.

In the Recent Years we have been witnessing Local Rice Brands like ALASKA Rice by Alaska Tanzania, KORIE Rice by MW Rice millers to mention a few, performing marvellously in international markets and domestic retail markets. With More Technology advancement it creates a room for more strategic growth of local Brands and penetration to more international markets

Tanzania which is the 4th largest producer of rice in Africa and the second-largest in Eastern and Southern Africa - has put in place plans and measures to increase rice production annually in an effort to reach a tipping point in 2030

2. Cassava Processing Industry to be constructed in Tanga.

The Cereals and Other Produce Board (CPB) has identified 25 areas where it will build cassava processing machines, as part of efforts to ensure markets for local farmers. The first plant which will process 12 tonnes per day is in the installation stage at Mkata area in the Handeni District of Tanga Region. This Plant will serve more than 6000 farmers.

The plan is to have more than 25 areas around the country in areas where cassava can be potentially produced.

Initially the plant will focus on producing Cassava flour which will be blended with maize flour and the target market will first be local markets.

3. Job Advertisement at KilimoFresh Foods Africa Ltd.

KilimoFresh is a fast growing company in Tanzania impacting the lives of smallholder farmers by bridging the gap in access to market and food wastage through their agribusiness model which works on a B2B and B2C basis.

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in sales. this is a perfect opportunity for you. apply by sending you Resume/CV to [email protected]

Work Station; Dar-Es-Salaam. The eligible candidates will be contacted for an interview.

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