As part of its corporate focus, East-West Seed is currently giving significant focus to extend its presence into new regions and markets. At the same time, significant strategic commitments are emerging within the African agri-industry. Notably, African-led organization AGRA has unveiled its priority focus on inclusive agriculture, food security, and nutrition. This aligns with the Tanzanian government’s dedication to providing training for 200,000 youths and mentoring 15,000 youth-led agribusinesses through incubation programs.
Likewise, the African Development Bank is channeling investments into irrigating a substantial 150,000 hectares of rice across 15 countries in West Africa. These commitments were announced during the 2023 Africa Food Systems Summit, the largest of its kind on the African continent, which took place in Tanzania earlier last month.
Furthermore, interesting and East-West Seed-relevant statements were made by former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (an agricultural economist), such as:
“We need a skilled farmer. The skilled farmer is an input we often forget.” and “We are still using traditional seeds. We need quality seeds that give high yield.”
East-West Seed was well-represented at the Summit, with the presence of Annet Kiiza (Business Development Manager for East-West Seed Uganda), Robert Kimonge (East Africa Regional Business Development Head), Dianah (the New Business Development Manager for Kenya), and colleagues from Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT), including Elijah Mwashayenyi, East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Head of Africa, and Epaphras Milambwe, Manager for EWS-KT Tanzania.
As East-West Seed continues to expand in East and West Africa, an estimated 250 million smallholder farmers based across the African continent are awaiting better policies and structures in place, and training support to bolster access to market. The 5000-member Food Systems Summit was therefore an excellent occasion to meet like-minded businesses or as Elijah from EWS-KT described it: “ a melting pot of all things agricultural and organizations that make the farming sector on the continent tick.” The Summit, hosted by the government of The United Republic of Tanzania and co-organised by AGRA, was held from the 5th to the 8th of September 2023.
As some of you may already know, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 68% of Tanzania’s work force engage in farming, both in rural and urban areas. More than 80% of all holdings are run by smallholder farmers who dominate the agricultural sector by contributing to an impressive 75% of the total agricultural output.
