This was 12thScientific Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM ) of the Agricultural Economics Society of Tanzania (AGREST) which was held on 2nd to 4th December 2020 at St Gaspar Centre Conference in Dodoma Hon. Mizengo Pinda the retired Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania officiate it the scientific conference and annual General Meeting
The Theme of the conference was “UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL OF FOOD SYSTEMS TO ENHANCE INTRA-AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL TRADE”
While officiate the conference Hon. Mizengo Pinda says “It has been stated that Tanzania will not be able to eradicate poverty or accelerate the development of its citizens if the issue of quality and modern agriculture is not given priority by the government, researchers, and other agriculture stakeholders”
Hon. Mizengo Pinda delivering his speech while officially opening the 12th AGREST Conference in Dodoma
He continue to say, despite the ongoing changes in the economic activity of Tanzanians in rural areas, more than 60 percent of the population depends on agriculture but the reality is that the people who depend on agriculture are still very poor and rely on food crops as an important source of household income.
“Our country’s efforts to develop the industrial sector are largely dependent on the production and trade of agricultural products and especially food crops, so the main theme of this conference is very important in the well-being of many citizens who are directly dependent on agriculture for these crops or those operating in the value chain” stressed Hon. Pinda
He said the available information shows that agricultural products trade between African countries is currently less than 20 percent while it is estimated that we are missing $30 billion in a year by not improving the environment of our agricultural trade between our own countries while other areas outside of the African continent we are doing well.
Participants of the 12th AGREST conference following closely the opening remarks
He added that the government of Tanzania, led by His Excellency, President John Pombe Magufuli has good intents to ensure that Tanzania co-operates with all stakeholders to move forward agriculture as well as strives to eliminate various emerging challenges, but all stakeholders must know that the government alone cannot eliminate all barriers without experts cooperating with the government.
“I offer my sincere congratulations to Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) through its dedicated and talented professionals as we are witnessing the excellent work done by you and other institutions in promoting research and innovation activities in the country” Sais Hon. Pinda
Earlier speaking before welcoming the official guest, AGREST secretary, Dr. Betty Waized of School of Agricultural Economics and Business Studies said that AGREST’s main goal is to help stimulate the development and use of Economic, Agricultural, and Business Education in Tanzania for the benefit of the larger community.
She said that the 12th AGREST scientific conference is a good opportunity to prepare for the coming discussions on the Food Systems Conference expected to be held in 2021 which aims to improve food systems here in Tanzania.
“Tanzania has entered a lower-middle income country and the goal is to reach the middle-income country by 2025 and in order to achieve this, we need competitive commercial companies that will work creatively in food systems that work for all,” said Dr. Waized.
She noted that the scientific conference, among other things, aims to answer the questions of what kind of policy frameworks are needed to drive the Sustainable Food System on our continent, especially in Tanzania.
The AGERST Secretary said that the conference has attracted 80 participants from various parts of Tanzania representing academicians, researchers, government officials, NGOs, and private participants where more than 30 scientific research publications will be presented.
“This conference also provides an opportunity for young scientists to gain experience on how to prepare and present their scientific research” noted Dr. Waized.
At the meeting, the members presented Hon. Mizengo Pinda with various gifts including the Elephant carves and Kitenge clothes for him and his wife but also AGREST gave a special gift to her veteran member where the gift went to Prof. Aida Isinika from School of Agricultural Economics and Business Studies of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
Professor Aida Isinika (right) handing over to Hon. Mizengo Pinda special gifts on behalf of the other AGREST members
