Tanzania Achieves Record Agricultural Milestone Amid Calls for Investment in Africa
Tanzania has achieved a remarkable 128% food self-sufficiency and is now a net exporter of agricultural products, notably cashew nuts, previously processed predominantly in Asia.
This announcement was made by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, where she emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance quality, accessibility, and minimize post-harvest losses.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), commended Tanzania’s achievements and urged further investment in African agriculture.
He highlighted the importance of the AfDB’s 2023 Dakar 2 Food Summit, which mobilized over $72 billion for agriculture across the continent.
President Suluhu Hassan outlined Tanzania’s commitment to empowering youth in agriculture through targeted programs that provide training and land, benefiting over 11,000 young people to date.
She stressed the importance of investing in agriculture, stating, “Not investing in agriculture is much more costly than investing in the sector.”
Joining the dialogue, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone shared insights on his country’s Feed Salone program, which has significantly reduced rice imports and boosted local agricultural productivity.
Adesina reiterated the AfDB’s role in reshaping global perceptions of Africa, emphasizing the continent’s potential as a global food basket. He concluded with a strong call to action: “If you are not investing in Africa, what are you doing?”
The 2024 Norman E. Borlaug Dialogue, themed “Seeds of Opportunity, Bridging Generations and Cultivating Diplomacy,” aims to inspire innovative solutions to global hunger, bringing together leaders and experts to tackle food security challenges.
