SAGCOT Chairman Praises Norway for Strengthening Agricultural Transformation in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – November 21, 2024

Dr. Ally Laay, Chairman of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) Centre Board, lauded the Royal Norwegian Embassy for its unwavering support in advancing Tanzania’s agricultural sector during the signing of a new three-year grant agreement. The agreement, effective from January 2025 to December 2027, represents another significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between Tanzania and Norway.

Dr. Laay expressed profound gratitude for Norway’s contributions, which have fostered innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability within the agricultural sector.

Norway and Tanzania Strengthen Agricultural Partnership with SAGCOT Agreement

“This agreement builds on the collaborative foundation laid by the recent visit of President H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to Norway,” he stated. “The Memorandum of Understanding signed during that visit is now being implemented, with today’s MoU marking another milestone in our shared journey toward sustainable agricultural development.”

Tangible Impacts of Partnership

Highlighting SAGCOT’s achievements, Dr. Laay underscored the impact of Norwegian support in transforming the agricultural landscape.

“Through this partnership, 859,298 hectares are under profitable production, benefiting approximately 900,000 farmers,” he said. “Farm revenues have increased to USD 254 million, while private sector investments facilitated by SAGCOT now total USD 1.3 billion, with an additional USD 2.2 billion in public investment allocated to the SAGCOT Corridor.”

Dr. Laay also praised Norway’s role in addressing climate challenges, citing the development of the Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) tool in collaboration with partners such as WWF, Care International, and IUCN. The IGG tool has provided essential guidance for producers, processors, and investors to adhere to environmental regulations and best practices.

Expanding the SAGCOT Model

Looking ahead, Dr. Laay outlined SAGCOT’s plans to replicate its successful model in other regions of Tanzania.

“We are excited to take the SAGCOT experience to new corridors next year, leveraging the Commodity Compact Approach,” he announced. “We also look forward to working with partners like Trade Mark Africa and the Agriculture Transformation Office to conduct baseline studies, develop investment blueprints, and identify clusters and priority crops.”

Dr. Laay also revealed a new partnership with REPOA, a leading Tanzanian research institution, to evaluate the impact of SAGCOT’s interventions on poverty reduction.

Recognizing Norway’s Contributions

The Chairman extended heartfelt appreciation to the Royal Norwegian Embassy’s technical team for their expertise in various areas, including environmental concerns, monitoring and evaluation, gender mainstreaming, and the development of sustainable agricultural strategies.

He also praised Her Excellency Ambassador Tone Tinnes for her hands-on engagement, noting her week-long visit to SAGCOT activities and partners.

“Ambassador Tinnes has been a tireless advocate for SAGCOT’s work, helping to build trust and collaboration among stakeholders, including the government, regional leadership, and research institutions such as SUA, TARI, and REPOA,” Dr. Laay said.

A Shared Vision for Sustainable Growth

The new agreement signifies a shared commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, fostering public-private partnerships, and achieving food security in Tanzania.

“We are deeply grateful for Norway’s continued partnership and look forward to achieving sustainable agricultural transformation together,” Dr. Laay concluded.