DAR ES SALAAM, July 31– Tanzanian authorities on Thursday unveiled a 10-year strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil by 2035 through increased oilseed production, expanded processing capacity, and enhanced investment across the value chain.
The National Edible Oil Strategy (NEOS) 2026-2035 was launched during the National Investment Forum on the Edible Oil Value Chain in the capital, Dodoma.
Charles Ogutu, chief executive officer of the Agricultural Markets Development Trust and chairperson of the NEOS preparation committee, said the strategy is built on six pillars, including improving the business environment, expanding access to finance, boosting productivity, and strengthening processing capacity.
He said the implementation of the strategy will expand oilseed cultivation to 2.1 million hectares and establish 160,000 hectares of oil palm plantations, creating more than 900,000 jobs and positioning Tanzania as a major exporter in regional markets.
Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo said the country has sufficient resources to meet domestic demand and reduce reliance on imports, which currently cost more than 200 million U.S. dollars annually.
He called on financial institutions to provide affordable long-term financing to support farmers and investors. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
