TradeMark Africa buttresses Tanzania’s standing in the global horticultural market
The leading African aid-for-trade organisation has pumped $2.1 million into the green gold industry to boost market access for over 55,000 farmers, mostly women and youth.
FRIDAY April 26, 2024
By Patty Magubira
The Tranquility News Reporter, Tanzania
Tanzania’s TAHA and TradeMark Africa (TMA), formerly TradeMark East Africa, have agreed to embark on the second phase of enhancing market access for horticultural products, promoting sustainable trade practices and empowering horticultural farmers in the country.
The agreement penned in Arusha, Tanzania, on Thursday April 25, 2024, follows an exemplary foundation TAHA built in the first phase of the project that saw 27,854 vegetables, fruits, spices and herbs growers linked to various markets in the past two years.
The second phase targets to reach out to 55,700 growers of the crops whose export is expected to fetch the country $15 million.
In the three-year second phase, TMA pledged to inject $2.1 million into the project, up from $1.98 million it extended to it during the first phase accomplished in June last year.
Approximately 50,000 tonnes of horticultural products worth $18.3 million were sold during the first phase when several farmer groups were trained and packhouses certified under international standards.
Despite growing at between 9 per cent and 12 per cent annually, horticulture is contending with limited financial access, effects of climate change and inadequate information on local, regional and international export markets in Tanzania.
The project is, therefore, tasked with establishing direct linkages between farmers and buyers, leveraging digital solutions to improve market accessibility, enhancing market understanding through training, addressing environmental climate change hiccups and guaranteeing market compliance with international standards such as Global G.A.P and the British Retail Consortium Global Standards.
“Our commitment through this substantial grant is to upscale production, increase export volumes, and consequently, job opportunities, thereby reinforcing Tanzania’s standing in the global horticultural market,” Ms Monica Hangi, the TMA Regional Director for East and Central Africa, said during the ceremony.
Established in 2010, TMA is a leading African aid-for-trade organisation that aims at growing intra-African trade and increasing the continent’s share in the global trade, while making trade more pro-poor and environmentally sustainable.
Belgium, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States fund TMA which was recently rebranded from Trade Mark East Africa to extend its wings from East to the Horn of Africa, Southern and West Africa.
Mr Anthony Chamanga, the TAHA Chief Development Manager and Acting CEO, was buoyant, in turn, saying the project would not only expand the horticultural industry in the southern agricultural growth and northern corridors, but also accelerate the export of the industry, currently growing at 5 per cent.
“With the TMA support, we are poised to implement robust strategies that will lead to sustainable growth and substantial economic benefits for our local communities,” said Mr Chamanga, as he foresaw the grant marking a significant milestone in enhancing the global competitiveness of the Tanzania’s horticultural products.
“The potential for Tanzania’s horticultural industry to further influence economic growth is immense,” added Mr Chamanga, explaining that with strategic collaboration and supportive policies, the industry could enhance its productivity and sustainability, contributing even more sustainably to the national economy.
“The government’s role in facilitating a friendly environment for growth, coupled with stakeholders’ commitment to innovation and quality, will determine the future trajectory of this thriving industry,” he stressedΩ
Recommended Posts
The Tranquility News Reporter/Sub Editor, Tanzania
Patty Magubira is an experienced environmental and business editor whose career started at the Tanzania's state-owned newspaper - The Daily News. He is a man of perfection. Aided by his extensive training as a community forestry expert before joining Tanzania School of Journalism. Magubira had successfully held various key posts in newsrooms, giving him an unmatched connections in media fraternity. Having worked as a bureau chief in Arusha and Mwanza, he managed to build a team work, boosting sales to the highest level ever. He was then promoted to a sub-editor after completing a training in Nairobi, Kenya. His incredible experience, critical thinking and exposure are critical to the quality of any media outlet.
