Rosemary Senyamule, the Regional Commissioner of Dodoma, has expressed confidence in the region's capacity to yield ample food crops, attributing this optimism to the recently launched Building Better Tomorrow (BBT) program. Senyamule highlighted this positive outlook while urging the youth to seize opportunities in agribusiness as a means to bolster their earnings and uplift the local economy. The BBT initiative is currently underway in key locations across the region, including Chinangali Village in Chamwino District, Nondwa Village in Bahi District, and Membe Village in Mpwapwa District.
These affirmations were made after the 2023 Tanzania Agriculture Stakeholders Learning Event (TASLE), a three-day conference organized by the Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AMDT) and partnered institutions. AMDT, a locally-owned trust, aims to streamline value chain development initiatives, enhance agricultural market system understanding, improve market access for micro, small, and medium enterprises, and contribute effectively to poverty reduction in Tanzania. Under the theme "Connect, Sustain, and Scale Innovation in Agriculture Market Systems,"
TASLE 2023 convened stakeholders from various spheres of the agriculture sector to strategize on augmenting production value and bolstering the nation's economy. The event served as a collaborative platform for experts, policymakers, researchers, farmers, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and forge partnerships, aiming for a sustainable future in Tanzanian agriculture. Interactive workshops, training sessions, and panel discussions were key features of the event, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering enduring collaborations among participants.
A significant focus of the event was on empowering youth engagement in agriculture, acknowledging their pivotal role in the sector's development. Senyamule commended AMDT for orchestrating a platform that brought together diverse stakeholders to tackle challenges and chart a progressive course for the future. Charles Ogutu, the Executive Director of AMDT, emphasized TASLE's objective of engaging stakeholders across sectors, fostering learning, and sharing experiences. He highlighted stakeholders' commitment to integrate newfound knowledge into immediate strategic plans upon returning to their respective domains.
Dr. Mary Shetto, a Board of Trustees member at AMDT, revealed the organization's impactful reach, having connected with over 100,000 farmers from various regions within a year.
The TASLE event stands as a testament to concerted efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, fostering collaboration, and empowering youth for a more prosperous agricultural landscape in Dodoma and beyond.