EAST AFRICAN NEWS

A statement issued yesterday by Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd said some 300 agriculture experts are expected at the meeting which will represent the entire agribusiness spectrum, from input suppliers, agro-processors, traders, exporters, retailers, commercial farmers, processors, policy makers to government and associations.

“We are so honoured that His Excellency, President Jakaya Kikwete, is available to address our delegates,” said Agribusiness East Africa event director Amore Swart.

Ms Swart added that President Kikwete’s keynote address will focus on the harnessing of multilateral partnerships for the development of innovative agriculture in East Africa. “This is a unique opportunity to hear President Kikwete’s plans and opinions on the development of East Africa’s agribusiness,” she noted.

She continues: “President Kikwete is known for his passion for and commitment to the development of agriculture and is a patron of Grow Africa and has overseen investments in excess of 3.4 billion US dollars enter the Tanzanian agricultural sector through the Kilimo Kwanza and SAGCOT Initiatives.

“He has also said that his government is taking necessary steps to make sure that the agricultural sector is transformed through appliance of modern technology, irrigation, research and financing.”

Supported by the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, and hosted by the Agricultural Council of Tanzania, Agribusiness East Africa enjoys endorsement from several prominent private and public sector stakeholders throughout the East African region.

The conference will cover topics such as agribusiness as the driver for economic development; modernization and commercialization; the value chain; access to markets; empowering emerging farmers and finance.

Leading speakers include Stephen Muchiri, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern African Farmers Federation (Kenya), Salum Shamte, Chairman, Agricultural Council of Tanzania (Tanzania), Geoffrey Kirenga, Chief Executive Officer, SAGCOT, (Tanzania).

Others include Dr James Kinyangi, Regional Programme Leader, CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), East Africa, Mbette Mshindo Msolla, Country Manager, African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (Tanzania) and Anne Mbaabu, Director Market Access Programme (Ghana).

Innovation and technology will be at the forefront of the exhibition where some of the leading suppliers in the industry will display their services and solutions.

Top companies include ETG and AECF as well as a German pavilion that includes Europlant, Grimme, Marterrind, Rauch, GEFA, Fliegl, Lemken, Pottinger and the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.

Source Tanzania Daily News