TOPICS
1) HOW TANZANIAS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE US-TANZANIA PARTNESHIP IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
2) CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TANZANIA’S YOUTH IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
The US Ambassador to Tanzania Donald J Wright, said the United States will continue to strengthen cooperation with Tanzania in uplifting and strengthening the agricultural sector in partnership with Sokoine Agricultural University (SUA), through research, education and innovation. He said it in November 11, 2021 at the SUA multipurpose hall, when celebrating 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Tanzania and the United States, accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Sokoine Agricultural University (SUA) administration and finance Prof. Maulid Mwatawala representing the Vice Chancellor Prof. Raphael Chibunda, Mvomero District Commissioner Hon. Halima Okash on behalf of the Morogoro governor, as well as the executive director of REPOA Dr. Donald Mmari.
Ambassador Wright said over the past five years his government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had spent $ 200 million on the feed the future strategy, and cooperation between the two countries has benefited more than 700,000 farmers and other food producers. He added that in addition to the Feed The Future strategy, his government aims to contribute 20 percent to poverty reduction for Tanzania and other target countries over the next five years, adding that at that point President Joe Biden has approved a dollar budget. 5 billion of the program.
Donald J. Wright gives out his opening remarks
The district head of Mvomero Hon. Halima Okash said the government needs to use experts from SUA to find solutions to the challenges facing Tanzanian farmers including crop diseases, pest infestations and climate change.
Hon. Halima Okash, Mvomero DC (our guest of honor) “this is a timely gathering to dicsuss key isses on the future of the agriculture sector and how to unlock its potential in context of Tanzania-US relationsa and prvide policy recommendations for better future”
Nearly 44% of Tanzania population are children below 15 years and 64% are below 24 years. This provides an opportunity for Tanzania to reap from demographic dividend . But these opportunities can be reaped only when investment in knowledge and skills transfer to high degment of the population is undertaken (Executive Director, REPOA – Mmari Donald)
“If we fail to modernize our agriculutre we will fail to attract young people into this sector” stated by Lucas Malebo
The Conference was attended by various stakeholders including Academicians, Reasearchers, Policy analyst, Government stakeholders, administrative staff from SUA and Students
Prof Mdoe, panelist from College of Economics and Business Studies (CoEBS)
Dr. Fulgence Mishili, conference moderator from College of Economics and Business Studies (CoEBS)
Ms. Judith Valerian , conference moderator from College of Economics and Business Studies (CoEBS)
