AGRI-BUSINESS MEETING OPENS IN DAR

Agricultural Council of Tanzania (ACT) Chairman, Dr. Sinare Yusuf speaks to reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, on the Agri-Business Congress East Africa scheduled to start at Mlimani City in the city today. The congress aims at bringing together agriculture and other stakeholders. Looking on (from right) is Agri-Business Portfolio Director, Ms. Emmanuelle Nicholls, General Representative of Pottinger Dr. Franz-Georg von Busse and John Deere (Pty) Ltd Kenya Tactical Marketing Manager, Kevin Lesser.

Tanzania will today hold two-day regional agribusiness congress to create an enabling environment for all farmers to participate.

The Agricultural Council of Tanzania (ACT) Chairman, Dr Sinare Yusuf said in Dar es Salaam that the congress aims at bringing together agriculture stakeholders and exhibition for agricultural equipment at the venue.

“Now in its third year, more than 700 visitors and over 50 exhibitors are expected to attend the conference and exhibition hosted by ACT under the support of the Ministry for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries” he said.

The two-day conference and exhibition brings together local and international stakeholders, investors and suppliers from across the agri-value chain to set strategic plans relating to regional growth and market accessibilities in the East African agricultural corridors.

According to the Agribusiness Congress East Africa Conference Producer, Shanaaz Adams, “The event will analyse critical strategic and practical issues, including actualising development and growth in agriculture, turning farming into a profitable business and decreasing post-harvest losses amidst the challenges posed by climate change,” She added, “Tanzania is emerging as one of Africa’s top agricultural destinations.

With advantageous policies, ample arable land, stable economy and government, and a renewed focus on agriculture, Tanzania is a model East African country,”

The conference programme takes into consideration some of the major challenges faced by the sector and includes panel discussions and presentations such as access to markets and cross border trading, the promotion of livestock production and productivity to match supply and demand and ensuring food security and commercial market viability.

In order to create a platform for all farmers to participate the Agribusiness Congress East Africa will once again run the Hosted Farmers Programme where 50 commercial and emerging commercial farmers can attend the event free of charge.

“The Hosted Farmers Programme ensures that Agribusiness Congress East Africa is an all-inclusive event allowing farmers of all scales to benefit from the platform we are creating,” said the Agribusiness Congress Event Director, Mr Emmanuelle Nicholls.

He added, “These interactive discussions cover topics across all areas of the agri-market and aim to provide viable solutions to the challenges faced by small-emerging farmers as well as deliver the information required to boost productivity for these farmers,”

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