In an effort to elevate Tanzania’s agricultural exports, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticide Authority (TPHPA) and the STREPHIT project, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
and funded by the European Union (EU), has successfully launched a comprehensive market access dossier for eight priority crops targeting 14 countries. This initiative is aimed at penetrating markets with an estimated value of $3.4 billion, which represents a significant stride towards economic and agricultural advancement for Tanzania.
The dossier, which was recently presented in Dodoma, encompasses avocado, vanilla, black pepper, pineapple, cloves, cocoa, banana, and Irish potatoes. These crops are destined for markets including EU member states, the USA, Zambia, Pakistan, South Africa, India, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Canada, Turkey, Iraq, and Israel. Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Mr David Silinde, highlighted the initiative as a turning point, enhancing market access for farmers and reinforcing Tanzania’s international market stance. Mr Idrisa Abdallah from Zanzibar pointed out the specific benefits for the clove sector, underlining the positive impact on the agricultural sector’s contribution to the GDP and export earnings in Zanzibar.
The STREPHIT project, spanning four years, is focused on addressing plant health administrative and technical barriers that restrict agricultural trade and impact food security and safety. Compliance with international phytosanitary standards is a key objective, aiming to bolster Tanzania’s agricultural exports, especially to the EU and other global markets. Lamine Diallo from the EU Delegation to Tanzania and the East African Community reaffirmed the EU’s support for enhancing health and safety standards, improving market access, and fostering investment in Tanzanian agriculture. The initiative is anticipated to significantly benefit Tanzanian farmers, particularly smallholders, by facilitating access to international markets, thus promoting the export of high-quality produce and stimulating agricultural sector growth.
Dr Nyabenyi Tipo, FAO Country Representative, commended the collective efforts leading to this milestone. The project has also seen the Tanzanian government contributing €250,000, with implementation in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Enhancements in the TPHPA directorates’ capacity to meet international standards, improved plant health inspector skills, operational detection and traceability systems, and the development of modern data collection and transfer practices are among the notable outcomes.