Tanzania and Russia Discuss Broad Agricultural Cooperation

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – June 24, 2025 – Tanzania and the Russian Federation are exploring extensive collaborations in the agricultural sector, following bilateral consultations held virtually yesterday between Mr. Gerald Mweli, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Russian Deputy Ministers of Agriculture, Mr. Markovich Maxim and Ms. Afonina Marina.

The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in several key areas: agricultural trade, the import of Russian agricultural products into the Tanzanian market, fertilizer supply, and scientific and technological collaboration within the agricultural sector.

Permanent Secretary Mweli outlined specific areas where Tanzania seeks Russian partnership. These include agricultural research and technology transfer, training, agricultural tools and machinery, value addition, seed production (including Open-Pollinated Varieties and hybrids), fertilizer production, oil crops, and wheat cultivation.

These recent consultations stem from the Ministry of Agriculture’s active participation in a series of cooperation meetings between Tanzania and Russia on economic and trade matters. Notably, these include a meeting held in Dar es Salaam on October 28-29, 2024, and a subsequent meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 12-13, 2025.

Other prominent Tanzanian officials participating in the discussions included Mr. Thomas Bwana, Director-General of the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI); Ms. Irene Mlola, Director-General of the Cereals and Mixed Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA); Mr. Samuel Mshote, Director-General of the Tanzania Fertilizer Company (TFC); and Dr. Japhet Mkangaga, a representative from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, along with directors from the Ministry of Agriculture. The discussions concluded with mutual pledges to foster productive and developmental cooperation for both nations.