Hussein Bashe& Ms. Safia Boly: By empowering women and youth smallholder farmers, we sow the seeds of a prosperous and self-sufficient continent

Unleashing Africa’s Agricultural Potential

Empowering women and youth in agriculture is not just a goal; it’s a necessity for Tanzania’s future. With a population projected to reach 186.9 million by 2065 and a significant portion being young people, the stakes are high. Unemployment disproportionately affects our youth and women, many of whom are engaged in subsistence agriculture. Addressing these challenges head-on is crucial for sustainable economic growth and food security.

In this article, Hon. Hussein Bashe, Minister of Agriculture for Tanzania, and Ms. Safia Boly, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative, delve into the transformative power of empowering smallholder farmers. They explore the critical role of women and youth in agriculture and highlight the strides Tanzania is making to become Africa’s agricultural powerhouse. Read on:

By Hon Hussein Bashe and Ms. Safia Boly

At Glance

• A youthful country, with a projected population of 186.9 million by 2065, the majority of whom will be between the ages of 15 and 35.
• Burden of unemployment – skewed towards the youth and women, and many work in the agricultural sector for subsistence.
• Challenges in the ecosystem for youth empowerment and the vulnerability of youth agriculture enterprises and livelihoods have further exacerbated the situation, with young women being disproportionately affected by these issues

A newly released study by UN Women on Political Leaders 2024 Global Data 2024 for Women Political Leaders indicates that 113 countries in the world have never had a female leader at the helm and only 26 countries are led by a woman today[1]. The study goes further to states that as of 1 January 2024, only 23 per cent of Ministerial positions are held by women and in 141 countries women make up less than a third of Cabinet ministers. Seven countries have no women represented in their Cabinets at all. Sima Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women, argues that women’s equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all.

Today, Africa has only two female Agriculture Ministers, Hon Josephine Joseph Lagu in South Sudan and Hon Jeanine Cooper in  Liberia. A discouraging discovery considering that 65% of the workforce in the sector is dominated by women and youth.

In Tanzania, one of the few countries led by a woman, the Government has established that efforts to achieve food security in the country will require the involvement of both women and youth. This spotlights the critical roles of youth and women, considers them pivotal drivers and players of sustainable economic growth and wealth creation for the country and across the continent as a whole. Young men and women smallholder farmers become the very core of Tanzania’s agriculture and food systems.

 Their tireless efforts and unyielding commitment serve as the vital spark driving this ongoing transformation. As we echo the resonant call, “Kilimo ni Biashara” – Agriculture is Business, we recognize and underscore the pivotal role of these farmers. Not merely cultivators of the land, they are entrepreneurial stewards of our resources, business owners in their own right, operating at the front lines of a shifting agricultural landscape. They stand as testament to the power of agriculture as a viable and important business, capable of steering Tanzania towards a future of sustainable prosperity.

Tanzania has seen strong economic growth in recent years, with an average GDP growth of 6.9 percent from 2016/17 to 2020/21, and an inflation rate of less than 5 percent, according to World Bank.

Agriculture is the largest and most important sector, contributing 27 percent of GDP, 24 percent of total export earnings, and 65 percent of total employment. Unfortunately, poverty and malnutrition remain a major challenge, with 27 percent of the population below the basic needs’ poverty line and 33 percent of children under 5 stunted. Tanzania’s young population faces numerous barriers to entering the labor market, including lack of skills and access to land and financial services.

Tanzania is on the path towards agricultural transformation, with increased use of modern inputs, labor productivity and crop production, deepening of linkages between farm sector and urban markets, and high surplus production of food crops. However, there are still challenges in terms of trade restrictions, complex licensing requirements, and post-harvest losses which need to be addressed to further boost the agricultural sector and benefit small farmers and businesses.

The rapid progress in Tanzania’s agricultural sector can be likened to a meticulously conducted symphony, with various transformative initiatives each playing their unique yet harmonious parts. As we observe the sector’s transformation, we see a clear, orchestrated plan taking us closer to becoming Africa’s agricultural powerhouse.

The Agricultural Sector Development Program Phase II (ASDP II) is instrumental to this orchestrated approach, operational from 2017/2018 to 2027/2028. ASDP II serves as a roadmap towards amplified productivity, enhanced market access, and bolstered resilience and sustainability within the agricultural sector. This strategic program is effectively steering our nation’s journey towards agricultural prosperity.

Cementing the path towards this agricultural renaissance is the Agricultural Transformation Office (ATO), established last year in partnership with African Agricultural Transformation Initiative. The ATO has designed an Agricultural Master Plan for Tanzania.  This comprehensive masterplan has identified 15 flagships and 20 commodities that are critical to food secure Tanzania. It is also complemented by the Ministry’s plans and work around block farming and expounds on the vision of an intensified agro-processing landscape, the expansion of robust irrigation systems, and the capacity enhancement of agricultural institutions and regulatory mechanisms.

Furthermore, the Tanzania Agro-industries Development Flagship (TAIDF) epitomizes Tanzania’s strides towards agro-industrialisation. The initiative, meticulously crafted by the Secretariat of the ASDP II stands as a cornerstone of our journey. The TAIDF, born out of extensive consultation with diverse stakeholders, exemplifies a holistic and inclusive approach to agro-industrialization.

Adding to this robust tapestry of initiatives is the Building a Better Tomorrow-Youth Initiative for Agribusiness (BBT-YIA), a model of successful multi-stakeholder collaboration. The brainchild of a concerted effort by the Government of Tanzania, the private sector, and development partners, the BBT-YIA is empowering the youth with entrepreneurial opportunities in agribusiness. This initiative not only strengthens the agricultural sector but also create employment opportunities for the youth thus securing a promising, sustainable future for our youth, and by extension, for Tanzania.

All these initiatives are leading to the multiplication of local industries for agricultural inputs and, simultaneously, they promote value addition to our products, bolstering their appeal in both domestic and export markets. Through this synergistic approach, we see an agricultural landscape that presents immense opportunities in agro-processing. The commitment shown by the Tanzanian Government, and the unwavering support from development partners, are essential fuel to this transformative fire.

While we aspire to become the Agriculture Powerhouse of Africa in terms of industrialization, we also envisage a thriving blue economy. By harnessing the potential of our blue economy, we add a new dimension to our agro-industrial ambitions, strengthening our journey towards sustainable and inclusive growth thanks to our youths and women.

Hon. Hussein Bashe is the Minister of Agriculture for Tanzania and Ms Safia Boly is the Executive Director of African Agricultural Transformation Initiative

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[1] Poster: Women political leaders 2024 | Publications | UN Women – Headquarters