Tanzanias vice-president Dr Philip Mpango has reiterated the country’s commitment to improve the agricultural sector and enhance food security for socio-economic prosperity
In realising agricultural sector transformation and growth, the government has been taking various measures, especially improvement of the National Agriculture Policy, 2013 and the Zanzibar Agricultural Sector Development Programme, Dr Mpango said.
He said this while participating virtually at the ongoing African Green Revolution Forum 2021 Summit, Kenya, on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Dr Mpango said that during the UN Food System Summit on 23 September 2021, Tanzania will present a paper on the area of agriculture financing, lack of quality seeds for agriculture and fisheries, pests' challenges and lack of modern technology in agriculture as well as livestock keeping.
Political leaders, policy makers, donors, investors and innovators came together to discuss new ways to transform Africa's food production system amid challenges posed by the pandemic, climate change, diseases and pests. Topics like innovation in the agriculture sector and the role of women in the invention of appropriate technologies in the continent were also discussed.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was hosting the meeting, noted, "We must identify immediate steps to accelerate agricultural transformation, achieve food and nutrition security for our citizens even as we start rebuilding our economies after disruptions due to the pandemic."
President of Rwanda Paul Kagame added that political goodwill is the key to transforming Africa's agriculture amid myriad challenges linked to climate change, pressure on arable land, distorted value chains and low technology uptake.
