MOROGORO: Tanzania has established more than 1,000 centres nationwide to improve farmers’ access to modern agricultural machinery, as part of efforts to accelerate mechanisation and boost productivity in one of the country’s most important sectors.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, was outlined by Deputy Permanent Secretary for Crop Development and Food Security, Prof Peter Msoffe, during a knowledge-sharing forum in Morogoro organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
Prof Msoffe said the government is intensifying efforts to modernise farming in response to technological change and growing demand for higher productivity. He noted that meaningful agricultural transformation requires a shift from traditional hand tools to mechanised systems.
“To achieve this, the government has established centres that will store, service and facilitate easy access to agricultural machinery for farmers across the country,” he said.
The centres are designed to support small- and medium-scale farmers, who form the backbone of Tanzania’s agricultural economy. In addition to mechanisation, the government continues to provide fertiliser and input subsidies as part of its broader strategy to raise yields and strengthen food security.
JICA’s Chief Representative in Tanzania, Ara Hitoshi, said cooperation with SUA began in 2022, focusing on sharing Japan’s experience in agricultural mechanisation and youth empowerment.
“Agriculture is a crucial sector for Tanzania. Through this programme, Japanese and Tanzanian experts will share experience and expertise, with particular focus on empowering youth,” he said.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said policy reforms are under way to align science and technology frameworks with Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050, which places agriculture and innovation at the centre of long-term economic transformation.
