Tanzania’s agricultural sector has emerged as a cornerstone of economic growth and food security, driven by the dedication of farmers and the strengthening of cooperative societies. Recent assessments show that agriculture now contributes about 26 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reaffirming its central role in sustaining livelihoods and fueling economic progress.
The sector’s resilience has ensured that Tanzanians enjoy reliable access to food, even as many countries grapple with shortages. This achievement is linked to deliberate efforts to empower farmers and enable agricultural business growth, ensuring that food remains readily available in local markets.
Cooperatives have played a vital role in this progress. Improved performance within the cooperative sector has translated into increased exports and stronger financial governance. In the 2024/2025 financial year alone, 1,084 cooperatives directly exported coffee and tobacco to international markets, generating US$344.8 million in revenue. This marks a significant rise from the previous year’s US$325.5 million, an increment of US$19.3 million, showcasing the sector’s upward trajectory.
Governance reforms have further strengthened cooperatives. Data from auditing authorities indicate a sharp increase in the number of cooperatives receiving clean audit certificates from 339 in 2021/2022 to 631 in 2023/2024, representing an 86.13 percent growth. At the same time, the number of cooperatives with unsatisfactory audit outcomes plummeted from 1,198 to 263 during the same period, a remarkable 78 percent decline. These improvements underscore the impact of enhanced oversight and accountability in the sector.
Efforts toward inclusivity have also been highlighted, with an emphasis on empowering women and expanding Women’s Cooperative Associations. Currently, there are 50 such associations, and stakeholders are being urged to increase this number to strengthen gender equity in agricultural development.
Despite these strides, challenges persist. Key issues include the pricing of agricultural produce, limited access to farming inputs, and gaps in the provision of essential services to farmers. To address these, authorities have called for sustained reforms and targeted interventions by relevant ministries. Improving these areas will not only boost farmer productivity but also enhance Tanzania’s competitiveness in the global agricultural market.
The ongoing transformation of Tanzania’s agricultural sector reflects a commitment to inclusive growth and food sovereignty. By building on current successes and addressing existing challenges, the country is well-positioned to secure its agricultural future and strengthen its role as a regional leader in food production.
