The European Union (EU) and the Government of Tanzania have celebrated the achievements of the AGRI-CONNECT programme, a flagship initiative that has  supported sustainable agriculture through improved value chains for shared prosperity. With a total investment of EUR 100 million (approximately TZS 278 billion) funded by the European Union, AGRI-CONNECT, launched in 2019, has played a crucial role in enhancing Tanzania's agricultural sector, particularly in horticulture, coffee, and tea.

A celebratory event held at Mbeya Food Park in Mbeya City , marked the program’s conclusion graced by Honorable David Silinde, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and H.E. Christine Grau, EU Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community. Over 100 participants from private and public institutions attended. 

AGRI-CONNECT programme focused on Southern Highlands and Zanzibar and was guided by the EU's holistic "Farm to Fork" approach. This strategy emphasized improving farm production, road infrastructure, access to finance, and market linkages, ultimately improved the nutrition and livelihoods of rural communities.

The programme has successfully fostered a favorable environment for farmers by enhancing policies, increasing their involvement in commodity platforms, and lowering trade barriers. It has benefited 135,000 farmers in the Southern Highlands and 35,000 in Zanzibar, with a particular emphasis on nutrition education and empowering rural communities. The programme has created 516,833 jobs and self-employment opportunities, generating TZS 3.86 billion in income for small-scale farmers across selected value chains. Key achievements also include the completion of 166 infrastructure projects and the upgrading of 162 kilometers of rural roads.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe, Honorable David Silinde, Deputy Minister for Agriculture expressed his admiration to the programme’s impacts. He commended the EU for its support to agriculture sector, particularly the traditional export crops (coffee, tea and horticulture) benefitting smallholder farmers. “AGRI-CONNECT's priorities aligned with the Agricultural Master Plan, supporting our vision for a sustainable economy, resilience to climate change, and the use of sustainable agricultural practices to improve the livelihoods of the majority of Tanzanians reliant on agriculture”, said Hon. Silinde”. 

The programme made significant investments in agricultural infrastructure, including the Mbeya Food Park and the Mpanda agro-processing facility, which supports more than 50 women-led enterprises. About 90 processing units and investments in technology such as screen houses, solar irrigation, and cold storage were made, contributing to value addition along the agricultural value chains. 

H.E. Christine Grau, EU Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC, highlighted the programme’s broad impact, stating: “The success of AGRI-CONNECT is clearly reflected in the tangible improvements across Tanzania’s coffee, tea and horticulture value chains. I am honored to be here today and witness how this initiative has benefitted over 177,000 small-scale farmers and created more than half a million jobs. As a flagship EU initiative, it has been delivered with outstanding success, and we take great pride in the partnership that made it all possible..”

During the occasion, attendees had a unique opportunity to witness inauguration of upgraded rural roads addressing farm-to-industries-to-markets bottlenecks, with 160 km of roads converted from seasonal gravel to all-weather tarmac in 9 LGAs, particularly in tea-producing regions.

“Well-maintained roads offer numerous benefits, including attracting investment to boost the rural economy by improving access to markets and processing centers. These upgraded rural roads are part of Tanzania's broader strategy to expand its national road network.”, said Dr, Festo Dugange, Deputy Minister of State in the President's Office (Regional Administration and Local Government).

The successful conclusion of the AGRI-CONNECT programme represents a key milestone in the ongoing partnership between the EU and Tanzania and underpinned under the EU Global Gateway strategy. This initiative aims to drive investments in partner countries to improve infrastructure, add value, and promote sustainable growth. This programme highlights the commitment of all parties involved to promoting sustainable agriculture and improving the well-being of both rural and urban communities in Tanzania. EEAS