By Hon. Hussein Bashe
The world’s leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and farmers will gather in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for Africa’s Food System’s Forum (AGRF) 2023 Summit from Sep 4 – 8 2023 September.
This prestigious event marks Tanzania’s second time hosting, following the successful 2012 edition held in Arusha.
For the Government of Tanzania, this international summit presents a unique opportunity to forge alliances and partnerships that will accelerate our food system transformation plans.
The summit’s theme, “Recover, Regenerate, Act: Africa’s Solutions to Food Systems Transformation,” aligns perfectly with our strategy to combat hunger and poverty through agriculture.
Agriculture stands as the backbone of our economy, contributing nearly a third of our annual GDP and this is also the case for many African countries.
The Africa Food Systems Forum 2023 promises to be a pivotal platform for comprehensive discussions on global financial architecture.
The forum will serve as a space to analyze the existing financing models and assess their effectiveness in meeting the unique challenges and needs of African countries.
However, the discussion on food systems transformation goes beyond financial considerations. It encompasses the broader concepts of food security and food sovereignty, both of which are crucial for Africa’s future. Food security implies ensuring that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, while food sovereignty emphasizes the right of nations to determine their agricultural policies in accordance with their cultural, social, and economic values. These concepts lie at the heart of Africa’s aspirations for a sustainable and self-reliant food system.
In Tanzania, we are committed to advancing food security and sovereignty. We are implementing a comprehensive strategy that ensures self-sufficiency, even in the face of pandemics, international conflicts, and climate change. We are acting urgently, deploying innovative solutions that connect farmers with better inputs, markets, and financial support. For instance, just this month, we commenced operations to revive collapsed horticultural farms in Arusha, further boosting our national earnings from the sector, which generated $289.6 million in export revenues last year. Additionally, our reforms in agriculture finance policy have resulted in remarkable credit growth, with agriculture outperforming all sectors. Last year alone, lending to agriculture increased by an impressive 54.1%, thanks to the government’s monetary policy measures.
In the pursuit of transforming food systems, we must not forget the indispensable role of youth and women. Africa’s youth represent a demographic powerhouse, with a significant portion of the population under the age of 35. Likewise, women play a pivotal role in Africa’s agricultural sector. They make up a significant proportion of the workforce, particularly in rural areas, and are often responsible for food production and processing.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Tanzania is dedicated to advancing the participation of women and youth in food systems transformation. Programs such as the Building a Better Tomorrow: Youth Initiative for Agribusiness (BBT-YIA) aims to train 200,000 youth in agribusiness and support 15,000 youth-led agribusinesses through incubation programs. The forum will place a strong emphasis on youth and women’s empowerment, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their contributions recognized.
In closing, let me take this opportunity to welcome delegates from within Tanzania and from across the globe to the summit in September. The Forum is not just a gathering of leaders; it is a clarion call for change, an invitation to collectively transform Africa’s food systems.
Together, let us forge a path toward a future where no one goes to bed hungry, where food security is a reality, and where Africa stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and prosperity for the world to emulate.
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