DODOMA, Tanzania: Tanzania is moving to open the Malaysian market for pigeon peas, a strategic step expected to increase incomes for local farmers and attract investment in the country’s agricultural sector, Deputy Agriculture Minister David Silinde said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Silinde said the move comes in response to recent price drops for pigeon peas, a key cash crop for smallholder farmers in regions such as Itigi, Dodoma, and Singida.
“Securing the Malaysian market will expand trading options and help stabilise farm-gate prices,” he said.
Pigeon peas, also known as Cajanus cajan, are a high-protein legume widely used in South and Southeast Asian diets.
Tanzania is one of Africa’s leading producers, with annual production estimated at over 100,000 tonnes, much of which is exported to India and other regional markets.
Malaysia represents a new high-value market with growing demand for protein-rich legumes in food processing, animal feed, and health products.
The government is also implementing a national strategy to boost productivity and quality. In the 2025/26 financial year, 400 kilogrammes of foundation seeds will be distributed to farmers in Itigi District Council, capable of producing up to four tonnes of certified seeds for wider planting.
Silinde said this effort aims to ensure farmers meet international quality standards and improve competitiveness in export markets.
Tanzania plans to complement seed distribution with technical support, deploying agricultural specialists and strengthening extension services to help farmers adopt modern agronomic practices, improve yields, and reduce post-harvest losses.
Expanding into Malaysia is also envisaged to open opportunities for private-sector investment in processing, storage, and logistics, while generating foreign exchange and supporting rural livelihoods.
Pigeon pea exports currently account for a significant share of Tanzania’s pulse exports, and Malaysia’s market could provide a higher-margin outlet compared to traditional markets.
The initiative aligns with Tanzania’s broader strategy under Vision 2050 and the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Export Strategy, which seeks to diversify markets for strategic crops, increase value addition, and attract investors into agro-processing and trade infrastructure.
“Opening new international markets is key to making agriculture more profitable, scalable, and investor-friendly,” Silinde said, highlighting the potential for public-private partnerships in seed production, storage facilities, and logistics.
With rising global demand for plant-based proteins and legumes, Tanzania’s pigeon pea sector is emerging as a promising export-oriented growth area, offering both social and economic returns for farmers, investors, and the national economy.