Dar es Salaam. Agriculture and livestock stakeholders from Tanzania and beyond have gathered in Dar es Salaam for the 10th Africa Agri Expo 2026, with technology, investment and innovation taking centre stage in discussions aimed at transforming the sector.
The two-day exhibition, which began on September 2 at the Julius Nyerere International Trade Fair grounds, brings together farmers, agribusiness leaders, investors, policymakers and innovators from around the world.
Organised by TAB Group in collaboration with the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE), the jubilee edition of Africa Agri Expo is being held alongside the third Future Food, Livestock & Poultry Expo.
Officially opening the event, India’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Bishwadip Dey, said the exhibition could become an important platform for strengthening cooperation between Tanzania and India in agriculture and related industries.
“I’m confident that this exhibition will generate new ideas, forge meaningful business partnerships and open new avenues of cooperation between India and Tanzania,” Dey said, congratulating the organisers and participants.
He urged Indian companies to view Tanzania not merely as an export market but as a long-term investment and business partner.
At the same time, he encouraged Tanzanian companies, institutions and entrepreneurs to engage with Indian counterparts in areas including joint ventures, investment, local manufacturing, technology transfer, training, research and development, and regional distribution.
Dey said the future of agriculture would increasingly depend on innovation, technology, efficient value chains and partnerships that put farmers and consumers at the centre.
The opening ceremony was followed by discussions focusing on the use of modern technology, innovation and improved farming practices to raise productivity, improve production and strengthen value chains in agriculture and livestock.
The discussions also examined how Tanzania and other African countries can use technology and investment to make agriculture more productive, competitive and capable of contributing more significantly to economic growth.
Senior Agriculture Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, Abel Mtembeji, said the transformation of agriculture should not only focus on increasing production, but also on improving the value generated from available resources.
“We produce in large quantities, but the important question is: how much value are we creating from every hectare, every farmer, every unit of water and every investment?” Mtembeji said.
He said achieving meaningful transformation required greater use of quality seeds, responsible fertiliser application, pest and disease control, agricultural machinery, irrigation, research, digital technologies, extension services and access to finance.
He added that stronger links between producers and markets were equally important, while climate-smart agriculture should be treated as both an economic growth strategy and a means of increasing competitiveness.
Visitors to the exhibition said they were impressed by the range of agricultural technologies, products and business opportunities on display.
National Agricultural Council chairman Jitu Soni described the exhibition as a major opportunity for Tanzanians to showcase their products, access markets and learn about technologies that could be adopted locally.
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“It is a great opportunity for Tanzania, especially for those of us in the agricultural sector,” Soni said while touring exhibition stands.
Agriculture remains a key pillar of Tanzania’s economy, contributing approximately 26 per cent of GDP, employing more than 60 per cent of the country’s workforce and playing a major role in food production.
Stakeholders at the expo said continued investment in technology, research, irrigation, quality inputs and stronger partnerships would be essential if Tanzania is to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.
