The meeting that saw Manyara regional commissioner, TADB’s managing director Japhet Justine, Bhakhresa company’s representative, Ngano Ltd, Amsos Industries, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and other key wheat stakeholders in attendance.
The meeting addressed the gaps in the wheat sub-sector and suggest means to overcome thechallenges. Among the challenges expressed TARI was that, there are about 28 wheat seed varietieswhile only 3 varieties are conducive for Tanzania.
“The best seeds our farmers are using as of today were developed in 1970” Said TARI representative at the meeting
This contributes to low yields in the wheat farming in the country. Hon. Bashe explained that the aim to revive the wheat sub-sector came following TADB’s research on the wheat value chain.
“It is the goal ofour government to see that by 2025 Tanzania produces 1million tones of wheat. You all heard our President H.E John Pombe Magufuli that now wheat is a priority crop in this fifth government.” Emphasized Hon. Bashe.
Stakeholders agreed on the importance role of TADB in supporting different stages of the value chain.
“As a financial institution with the mandate in the agriculture sector, this is already a milestone in the process towards the goal of reaching 1million tons of wheat production locally by 2025"
TADB has been prepared for this movement and has the capacity to support this vision. I urge other commercial banks to see the potentials of the sector and set guarantee schemes to finance the wheat value chain.” Said
Japhet Justine Managing director at Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank. The meeting ended with directives from Deputy Minister Hon. Hussein Bashe who pointed out key take points from the meeting.
These included; their must be an implementation plan team that will include the private sector, Ministry of Agriculture, representatives from research institutions, wheat producers, regional representatives from wheat farming.
