Zanzibaris solicited to increase agricultural production as coffee becomes first product to trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market

By Rogers Aghan, February, 24, 2023, On Wednesday 22, Zanzibaris were solicited to increase agricultural production to entice industrial investments in the processing of agricultural produce.

Minister for Trade and Industrialization, Omar Said Shaaban addressed the House of Representatives reiterating that currently, the nation has 37 industries processing agricultural produce. He noted that 10 and 24 of these industries are classified as medium and small while three of them are large industries respectively.

Minister Omar stated that increased production of raw materials could attract more investors and create jobs for the islanders. He responded to an inquiry from Ameir Abdalla Ameir, the Representative of Mwanakwerekwe regarding the number of agriculture-based industries in the country.

He confirmed to the house that the government is willing to support the industrial economy by creating a suitable environment for prospective investors.

“The government is aggressively marketing available opportunities for potential agri-processing investors,” the minister told the house, citing seaweed, fruit, vegetable and spice processing as novel spaces for investors.

Small entrepreneurs also receive training on agricultural processing to reinforce small industries in the islands as reiterated by the Minister.

Importantly, coffee will be Tanzania’s first product to trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market starting mid-this year.

Dr. Asatu Kijaji continued to applaud the ministry under which improvements have persisted in agricultural processing while making these assertions.

In recent meetings, the government established that from July 1^st, of this year, the exploration of ten types of products to the market will happen. Thus, the country will benefit from an integrated market of nearly 1.3 billion people.

“We already have coffee as the first product to be exported and the product will be sent as a  finished product,” said the Minister in Dar-es-Salaam last week while speaking to members of the Confederation of Tanzania industries (CTI) at the meeting that was also attended by the Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba.