Cereal farmers across Tanzania are set to benefit from new agricultural technologies.

Cereal farmers across Tanzania are set to benefit from new agricultural technologies that promise higher yields, improved soil fertility, and lower production costs.

The innovations, introduced by Tanzanian firms Mzuri Afrika Co. Ltd and Agrami Afrika, are designed to transform farming practices and unlock the potential of small- and large-scale farmers alike.

Speaking to journalists, Shaban Mgonja, Managing Director of Mzuri Afrika, highlighted the positive impact these technologies are already having on the country’s agriculture sector.

“We have introduced two groundbreaking technologies that have the potential to revolutionize agriculture in Tanzania, should farmers adopt them,” Mgonja said.

The key technologies include the Mzuri Pro-Til machine and Agrami liquid fertilizers. The Mzuri Pro-Til machine enables farmers to till the soil, apply fertiliser, and plant seeds in a single pass—saving time, labour, and fuel. It is especially useful on stubble fields and promotes conservation agriculture by preserving soil structure and moisture.

So far, over 1,700 farmers from regions such as Mbeya, Arusha, Manyara, Songea, and Morogoro have been trained to use the machine. The technology has also been introduced to the Tanzania National Service (TNS) and Magereza (prison service). In collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Mzuri Afrika is pushing for widespread adoption of this solution.

To promote the technology and educate farmers, the company has established a 300-acre demonstration farm in the Vigwaza area of Chalinze District. Mgonja said, “The demonstration farm will serve as a learning hub, attracting farmers from Tanzania and across Africa, particularly those in the cereal farming sector. This training is free of charge to encourage more farmers to adopt modern technologies that improve soil health, enhance crop quality, and increase yields.”

Currently, 200 acres of the farm have been planted with sesame, with expected yields of 600 kg per acre this season. The Mzuri Pro-Til machine works by cultivating narrow soil strips, placing fertilisers at the correct depth, and sowing seeds at optimal levels—ensuring ideal conditions for germination and growth.

Agrami Afrika, the fertiliser arm of the partnership, has already registered 11 fertilisers in Tanzania, nine of which are currently on the market. The company works alongside Green World, a Poland-based firm, to deliver modern farming solutions.

Marek Różniak, founder of Mzuri Word and creator of the Pro-Til machine, added, “I am in Tanzania to introduce new machines that address today’s farming challenges, such as rejuvenating soil structure, reducing crop establishment costs, and increasing yields.”

He stressed the importance of education and training, noting the machine is already in use in over 50 countries, including Poland and Ukraine.

“The evolution of agriculture takes time, but Tanzania has the potential to produce barley, wheat, and other cereals,” Różniak said. “By teaching farmers to use new technologies, we can improve their livelihoods and contribute to global food security.”

NAFDAC assures GMO foods are safe, urges clear labelling.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food are not harmful if safety standards are met.

This assurance comes as public debates continue over the safety of GMOs in Nigeria. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General said, “GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us. They are not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether the safety considerations have been taken.”

Adeyeye emphasized the importance of proper labelling so that consumers can make informed decisions. “I’m a food freak. I want to know what I’m eating is going to give me a good health outcome. I look at the label. I want to be sure that NAFDAC’s label is on it… It’s supposed to have ‘genetically modified food’ written on it,” she said.

She also explained that NAFDAC works closely with the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), which is responsible for the safety oversight of GMOs in Nigeria. “We work in collaboration with the Biosafety Management Agency. We have an MoU with them. They are mandated to ensure that the foods that have GMOs are of quality, they are safe, and they are efficacious,” Adeyeye noted.

According to her, transparent labelling, similar to the way organic foods are marked, gives people the freedom to choose. “When you look at the food on the table in the market—especially grocery stores—you will see foods labeled organic. You put labels [on foods] that are not organic, and people have the choice to buy which one they want,” she said.

She added that NAFDAC can only approve GMO products after the NBMA has certified their safety. “That is the reason why the collaboration between us and the NBMA is very solid. Without them certifying that they have done their due diligence in their laboratory for desk review or whatever, we cannot approve.”

This statement comes after the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) recently emphasized the role of GMOs in fighting hunger and improving agriculture. Abdullahi Mustapha, the NBRDA Director-General, warned against misinformation: “False claims about GMOs have contributed to public skepticism and slowed down the adoption of technologies that can transform lives.”

AfDB's investments drive sustainable farming, improve productivity, and strengthen food security in Africa

The World Bank Group has joined the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa as a co-chair, supporting the initiative’s mission to deliver digital access to essential services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034

The Bank will serve alongside current co-chairs and founding members — the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard — combining efforts to expand the reach of critical digital solutions across the continent.

The MADE Alliance is prioritising opportunities in agriculture, recognising the sector’s potential for digital technologies to accelerate development. World Bank-supported “Digital Agriculture Roadmaps” will unite stakeholders in crafting tailored action plans for specific countries, enabling the alliance to reach more farmers with impactful solutions.

“The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa and connecting farmers to the digital tools they need to reach markets, access finance, and grow their businesses. Joining the MADE Alliance will help accelerate both of these goals, driving economic growth and improving livelihoods across the continent,” said Sangbu Kim, vice-president for Digital at the World Bank. “By bringing together our digital and agriculture expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, we can help scale lasting, transformational impact.”

The World Bank Group formally joined the MADE Alliance in late April during the alliance’s Steering Committee meeting, held alongside the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. 

“Two of the African Development Bank Group’s priority areas are to Feed Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The MADE Alliance: Africa brings us closer to achieving those goals by connecting the continent’s smallholder farmers to digital services that lead to greater food production, greater access to markets, financing and farming practices, as well as to increased incomes,” said Dr Beth Dunford, vice-president for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, which has committed US$300mn to the alliance’s first five years of programming. “The World Bank’s demonstrated expertise in the digital connectivity and agriculture sectors enables the MADE Alliance: Africa to reach more farmers eager to be part of Africa’s agricultural transformation.”

“The MADE Alliance brings complementary partners together to execute and implement programs that target the same regions and communities, allowing us to amplify our impact,” said Tara Nathan, founder and executive vice-president of community pass, Mastercard. “The World Bank brings enormous expertise in digital transformation and agriculture, and we are honored they have joined the alliance to deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our work to help bring everyone into the digital economy.”

This partnership is seen as a strategic move to boost agricultural innovation.

The governments of Ethiopia and Italy has signed a partnership agreement in the agricultural sector.

Girma Amente, Ethiopia's minister of agriculture, and Italian Counterpart Francesco Lollobrigida signed the agreement on the margins of the United Nations Food System Summit, which is underway in Addis Ababa. The agreement is meant to further strengthen the existing cooperation between the two countries and gives focus on modernizing the coffee development value chain, it was learned.

Girma stated during the event that the agreement offers a significant opportunity to harness Italy's vast potential among European nations in the modernization of the agricultural sector.

Francesco Lollobrigida, Italian Minister of Agriculture, for his part, said the deal aims to transfer agricultural technologies.