Tanzania aims to become one of the world’s 10 largest food-producing countries under its Development Vision 2050, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has announced, highlighting agriculture’s role in economic transformation and food security.
Nchemba outlined the ambition while delivering a keynote address at the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, known as the Borlaug Dialogue, in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States.
He said Tanzania’s agricultural initiatives had helped the country achieve a reported food self-sufficiency level of 130%, while agricultural export earnings had increased from $2.1 billion in the 2021/2022 financial year to $3.7 billion in 2024/2025.
The government’s long-term vision is to position Tanzania as a leading food producer in Africa and a major contributor to global food supplies.
Agriculture Drives Tanzania’s Economy
Agriculture remains central to Tanzania’s economy, contributing 24.6% of gross domestic product, employing 65% of the workforce and generating approximately 30% of export earnings, according to Nchemba. The sector also supplies raw materials to domestic industries.
The growth in agricultural export earnings points to the sector’s increasing role in generating foreign exchange and connecting Tanzanian producers with international markets.
Achieving the country’s 2050 ambition will require sustained improvements in agricultural productivity, infrastructure, access to markets and the resilience of farming systems. Expanding production must also be supported by effective storage, processing and distribution to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure more produce reaches consumers.
Investment in Farmers and Agricultural Innovation
Speaking under the dialogue’s theme, “Before Hunger Defeats Us,” Nchemba called for greater investment in farmers, agricultural science, young people, women and climate-resilient food systems.
He said Africa had considerable potential to strengthen global food security, despite continuing challenges related to hunger and agricultural development.
For Tanzania, the challenge will be to translate its reported food surplus and rising export earnings into sustained production growth, stronger rural livelihoods and greater competitiveness in international markets.
Investment in research, technology and practical support for farmers will be important to achieving these objectives, particularly as climate pressures increase the risks facing agricultural production.
Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 places food production among its long-term priorities, with the government seeking to build on existing agricultural capacity and expand the country’s contribution to regional and global food supplies.