Tanzania is strengthening its agricultural transformation agenda through renewed cooperation with the World Bank, as senior government officials and development partners push forward major initiatives aimed at improving food security, boosting farmer incomes, and expanding private sector investment in agriculture.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde held talks with Anna Wellenstein, the World Bank’s Regional Director for Planet Development for Eastern and Southern Africa, in Dodoma, where they reviewed the implementation of strategic agricultural projects and explored new opportunities for collaboration between Tanzania and the global financial institution.
The discussions focused on the progress of key programs, including the Tanzania Food Systems Resilience Program (TFSRP) and the AgriConnect Compact Agreement, both of which are expected to play a critical role in modernizing the country’s agricultural systems.
Deputy Minister Silinde noted that the more than five-decade partnership between the United Republic of Tanzania and the World Bank has remained a vital pillar in transforming the country’s agricultural sector, with visible positive outcomes.
These achievements include the development of new climate-resilient seed varieties, training for agricultural extension officers, expansion of irrigation farming, and efforts to improve soil health.
He said, “The Ministry of Agriculture will ensure the successful implementation of the AgriConnect Program for the benefit of farmers across the country.”
The new strategic AgriConnect initiative, implemented in partnership with the World Bank, is designed to stimulate private sector investment and strengthen agribusiness value chains to boost productivity and increase farmers’ incomes.
For her part, Anna Wellenstein expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation of World Bank-funded agricultural projects in Tanzania and commended the government’s efforts to strengthen food security.
She emphasized that the World Bank would continue to be a close partner of Tanzania in supporting the agricultural sector to achieve its development goals, including improving food security, increasing productivity, and raising farmers’ incomes.
