Commentary: Mbalali Rice Farmers Secure Reliable Market in the UK — A Transformative Milestone for Tanzania’s Agricultural Export Strategy

Special Commentary on Agricultural Transformation in Tanzania

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In a groundbreaking development for Tanzania’s agricultural sector, small-scale rice farmers from Rujewa Ward in Mbalali District, Mbeya Region, have secured a sustainable and reliable market for their rice in the United Kingdom. This achievement reflects a paradigm shift in Tanzania’s approach to agricultural commercialization—moving from pilot initiatives under the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) to a more inclusive, nationwide Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (AGCOT) framework.

The strategic collaboration among FEMU Limited, a UK-based food importer; BJM Company, a Tanzanian agribusiness firm; and the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) marks an exemplary public-private partnership. Under the guidance of the Presidential Food and Agriculture Delivery Council—chaired by former Prime Minister Hon. Mizengo Kayanza Pinda—this initiative exemplifies how coordinated efforts under AGCOT can drive food security, economic empowerment, and international competitiveness.

Organic Agriculture and Value Addition: A Competitive Edge

At the heart of this initiative lies the commitment to organic farming. Kaziirege Camara, FEMU Ltd’s representative in Tanzania, underscores the environmental and economic significance of these practices. Organic farming, often underestimated in smallholder settings, has proven to be a strategic differentiator. It not only assures premium quality rice but also contributes to long-term soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate resilience—cornerstones of sustainable agriculture.

This emphasis on organic production echoes AGCOT’s emphasis on environmentally sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices. Rujewa farmers, through technical support from BJM Company and with policy backing from TanTrade and SAGCOT, have successfully adopted farming protocols that meet the strict phytosanitary and quality requirements of the UK market. These developments position Tanzania as a serious player in the international organic food trade, responding directly to growing consumer demands in Europe for ethically sourced and sustainably farmed products.

The Role of Trade Facilitation and Policy Instruments

The success of this rice export venture is deeply connected to strategic use of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). By offering tariff-free access to a wide range of products from developing countries, the DCTS lowers entry barriers and increases the profitability of agricultural exports. The Tanzanian Embassy in the UK, working closely with TanTrade, played a pivotal role in aligning this initiative with DCTS criteria—ensuring Tanzanian rice enjoys competitive pricing and easier customs clearance in British markets.

This policy environment exemplifies the need for stronger inter-institutional collaboration between diplomatic missions, trade promotion agencies, and local agricultural actors—a model that AGCOT should adopt across all regions of Tanzania. The goal is not merely to access foreign markets but to strategically position Tanzania’s agricultural value chains to thrive within them.

SAGCOT’s Legacy and the AGCOT Transition

This initiative builds on over a decade of groundwork laid by SAGCOT. As the pilot model for inclusive agricultural transformation, SAGCOT demonstrated the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the private sector, farmer organizations, government institutions, and international development agencies. In Mbalali, SAGCOT invested in infrastructure, agronomic training, irrigation schemes, and market linkages that have now matured into scalable, export-ready ventures.

AGCOT, the national expansion of this model, is now tasked with replicating these successes in other corridors of the country—from Kilombero to Kigoma, from Manyara to Mara. This shift is in direct alignment with the Dakar 2 Summit on Feed Africa, which emphasized the need for national agricultural delivery councils to fast-track implementation of food production strategies for food sovereignty and economic resilience.

Empowering Smallholder Farmers and Inclusive Development

One of the most significant outcomes of the UK market access for Mbalali rice is the empowerment of smallholder farmers. Traditionally dependent on erratic local markets and middlemen, these farmers now have predictable demand, transparent pricing, and technical support—factors that contribute directly to household income stability and rural development.

The FEMU-BJM partnership has introduced a farmer-friendly rice production system—a structured model that includes timely input supply, pre-planting training, continuous monitoring, and post-harvest handling aligned with international quality standards. This holistic approach not only ensures compliance with UK regulations but also equips farmers with knowledge and tools that are transferable to other crops and markets.

Moreover, such initiatives promote gender inclusion and youth engagement in agriculture. As rice farming in Mbalali becomes more lucrative and structured, it attracts young people and women into agribusiness, reversing trends of rural-urban migration and underemployment in agriculture.

Infrastructure, Irrigation, and Future Prospects

The long-term sustainability of this initiative hinges on continued investment in infrastructure, particularly irrigation. Mbalali is part of Tanzania’s Southern Highlands—an agro-ecologically rich region where rice production can be intensified through smallholder irrigation schemes. Public investments under SAGCOT, complemented by private initiatives, have already transformed parts of Mbarali District into reliable rice-growing hubs.

AGCOT now needs to prioritize similar infrastructure investments across the country, ensuring that logistical bottlenecks do not compromise export ambitions. Storage facilities, feeder roads, digital traceability systems, and certified milling plants must be scaled up. These enablers not only reduce post-harvest losses but also preserve grain quality essential for export.

Looking ahead, there is significant potential to diversify Tanzania’s rice export portfolio. Aromatic rice varieties, fortified rice, and packaged ready-to-cook rice can capture niche markets abroad. The experience in Mbalali could serve as a blueprint for these value-added products, with agro-processing facilities playing a central role.

Policy Implications and Strategic Recommendations

The Mbalali success story offers critical policy lessons for Tanzania:

1. Strengthen AGCOT governance: Institutionalize multi-stakeholder platforms at regional and national levels to coordinate agricultural export strategies.
2. Invest in certification and compliance systems: Expand farmer access to organic and fair-trade certifications to unlock premium markets.
3. Enhance agricultural financing: Facilitate access to affordable credit and insurance tailored for export-oriented smallholders.
4. Support diplomatic trade diplomacy: Strengthen Tanzanian embassies’ role in market intelligence, trade negotiations, and private sector matchmaking.
5. Scale innovation through digital agriculture: Use mobile-based apps and platforms to disseminate training, monitor compliance, and link farmers to buyers.

The entry of Rujewa rice into the UK market is not just a trade success—it is a testament to what is possible when smallholder farmers are empowered, partnerships are prioritized, and policies are purposefully aligned. As Tanzania implements the AGCOT model nationwide, this achievement serves as both a milestone and a springboard for more inclusive, sustainable, and profitable agricultural transformation.

With visionary leadership, strategic investments, and unwavering commitment to farmer empowerment, Tanzania is well on its way to becoming a formidable force in Africa’s agricultural export landscape.