Dodoma. In a bid to bolster Tanzania’s agrarian economy, the minister for Agriculture, Daniel Chongolo, has announced the arrival of an investment delegation from China’s Shandong Wanda Xing Automobile company.
The group is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of key investment opportunities within the nation’s agricultural sector.
The partnership aims to expand crop production, introduce advanced value-addition techniques, and supply modern machinery designed to heighten productivity for local farmers.
Mr Chongolo highlighted that the investors have expressed a particular interest in strategic crops, with the cashew nut industry being a primary focus.
The proposed plan encompasses the entire value chain, moving from primary production to the sophisticated processing of raw cashews into specialized products such as cashew nut oil, methanol, and various beverages.
This industrial shift is expected to yield substantial economic benefits, including the creation of new jobs, the growth of domestic manufacturing, and a significant increase in income for cashew farmers.
By processing raw materials locally, Tanzania stands to retain a larger share of the global market value.
Beyond cashews, the delegation has identified the soybean sector as a priority area.
The investment strategy involves establishing integrated facilities for soybean cultivation and processing into both human food products and animal feed.
This initiative is anticipated to reduce production costs and ensure a steady supply of raw materials for domestic industries.
Furthermore, Mr Chongolo noted that the discussions covered the onion sub-sector and the introduction of affordable, specialized agricultural machinery.
Such technology is expected to assist rice farmers in particular by automating the creation of irrigation ridges, thereby reducing manual labour and increasing overall farm profitability.
Mr Chongolo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investors.
He emphasised that the administration remains dedicated to modernising the sector through technology and value addition, ultimately transitioning Tanzanian agriculture into a more commercial and productive powerhouse.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Li Qingyu of Shandong Wanda Xing Automobile stated that their primary goal is to facilitate technology transfer and skill development.
He noted that by working closely with the Tanzanian government, they aim to strengthen the value-addition process for agricultural products, ensuring a mutually beneficial outcome for both the investors and the local farming communities.
