Dar es Salaam. The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has cemented its role at the forefront of evidence-based policy with the successful hosting of the 2025 Environment for Development (EfD) Policy Day in Dar es Salaam.
Held at the White Sands Hotel, the event, themed Building Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture for the Future, convened senior policymakers, researchers, and development partners to forge strategies for transforming Tanzania’s agricultural sector in the face of climate change and global market instability.
Focus on resilience and innovation
The Policy Day served as a crucial platform for dialogue, with participants exploring pathways for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future aligned with key national and international goals.
In his opening address, Prof William A. L. Anangisye, UDSM Vice Chancellor, lauded the UDSM’s School of Economics and the EfD Tanzania Centre for their commitment to driving national and regional policy through impactful research.
Dr Martin Chegere, Director of EfD Tanzania, underscored the urgent imperative to build resilience and sustainability within the agricultural sector.
Echoing this call, representatives from government and development organisations highlighted specific levers for change.
Mr Pastory Ndalahwa from the Ministry of Agriculture and Dr Innocencia John from CoAF both stressed that innovation, the promotion of indigenous crops, and strengthened partnerships are critical to achieving future agricultural transformation.
International support and future alignment
International support for Tanzania’s sustainable development agenda was reaffirmed by Ms Anna Tjärvar, Counsellor at the Embassy of Sweden, who pledged her government’s continued backing for research collaboration.
As the day concluded, Dr John Mtui, representing the Dean, issued a call to action, urging all participants to ensure the insights gained are translated into measurable policy and practical interventions.
The 2025 EfD Policy Day reaffirmed UDSM’s pivotal function in aligning academic research with Tanzania’s overarching development objectives, including Vision 2050, UDSM Vision 2061, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), steering the nation towards a robust and thriving agricultural future.
