Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe, has issued a rallying cry to the nation’s avocado stakeholders, urging a shift in mindset away from simply discarding certain avocado produce. 1 Addressing the inaugural National Avocado Stakeholders Meeting in Dodoma, Minister Bashe emphasized the untapped potential for transforming these fruits into a range of valuable by-products.
“Avocado serves as a backbone of the horticulture sector, functioning as a critical sub-sector due to the diverse array of crops within horticulture,” stated Minister Bashe, underscoring the strategic importance of the avocado industry and the rationale behind convening the landmark meeting.
Organized jointly by the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) and the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), the Dodoma gathering brought together a diverse cross-section of the avocado value chain, from hardworking farmers and ambitious exporters to influential Members of Parliament and keen private sector players.
In his keynote address, Minister Bashe reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to nurturing the avocado sector, recognizing its immense potential alongside other high-value crops. This focus, he highlighted, has already translated into tangible action, including the establishment of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) to safeguard plant health and ensure stringent quality control.
Further demonstrating the government’s proactive approach, Minister Bashe announced a significant boost for avocado farmers through an irrigation subsidy program. “We have introduced an irrigation subsidy program in the avocado sector by procuring 18 drilling machines for irrigation wells. This initiative will bolster avocado farmers across the nation and enhance the longevity of avocado trees,” he declared.
Acknowledging a key concern for exporters, Minister Bashe also indicated that the contentious radiation fee currently levied on avocado exports is under serious review, with its potential removal actively being considered.
Tanzania currently stands as a significant player in the African avocado market, ranking as the continent’s third-largest producer, trailing behind giants like Kenya and South Africa. Its avocados are increasingly sought after on the global stage, with approximately 40% destined for European markets, 30% finding their way to India, and 19% shipped to the Middle East.
The inaugural stakeholders meeting served as a crucial platform for dialogue and collaboration, fostering a sense of shared purpose among the various actors in Tanzania’s burgeoning avocado industry. Minister Bashe’s call for innovation and a more resourceful approach to avocado produce signals a clear ambition to further elevate Tanzania’s position in the global avocado landscape, ensuring that no part of this “backbone of horticulture” goes to waste.
