Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) has released its 2019 Annual Report, showcasing a year of remarkable achievements in transforming Tanzania’s agricultural landscape. The report details significant financial investments, policy reforms, and the adoption of sustainable practices, underlining SAGCOT’s commitment to revolutionizing agriculture in the region.
Key Financial Achievements: The 2019 report reveals that total investments by all SAGCOT Centre Ltd (SCL) partners reached a milestone of TZS 25 billion. This substantial financial input reflects the growing confidence of partners in SAGCOT’s vision and strategy for agricultural development. This funding has been crucial in implementing various initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability across the corridor.
Policy Reforms and Dairy Sector Growth: One of the standout achievements of 2019 was the SCL’s effective policy advocacy, resulting in significant reforms in the dairy sub-sector. A notable policy change was the increase in import duty on milk, a move that has had a profound impact on the dairy processing capacity in the country. This reform underscores SAGCOT’s influence in shaping policies that promote local agribusinesses and safeguard the interests of smallholder farmers.
Enhancing Dairy Processing Capacity: The increase in dairy processing capacity marks a major milestone for SAGCOT in 2019. This development not only boosts the dairy industry but also promises better returns for dairy farmers, enhancing their livelihoods and contributing to the overall economic growth of the region.
Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices: Aligning with global environmental sustainability goals, SAGCOT has prioritized the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural practices among its value chain actors. The publication of the Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) tool in December 2019 has been a critical step in this direction, guiding farmers and stakeholders towards more sustainable farming techniques. This approach is pivotal in ensuring environmental sustainability while enhancing agricultural productivity.
Looking Ahead: The 2019 Annual Report not only celebrates the successes of the past year but also sets the stage for future endeavors. SAGCOT’s focus remains on fostering sustainable agricultural practices, influencing policy reforms for a more conducive agribusiness environment, and continuing to attract investments to drive growth in the sector.
The SAGCOT 2019 Annual Report is a testament to the organization’s unwavering commitment to transforming Tanzania’s agricultural sector. Through strategic partnerships, significant financial investments, policy advocacy, and a strong emphasis on sustainable practices, SAGCOT is steadily steering Tanzania towards a more prosperous and sustainable agricultural future. As we move into the new decade, SAGCOT’s role in shaping Tanzania’s agricultural landscape continues to be of paramount importance, promising a brighter future for farmers and stakeholders in the sector.