THE government has partnered with United Nations agencies, the European Union and private sector entities to leverage technology to improve agricultural practices.

Hussein Mohammed Omary, the Agriculture deputy permanent secretary, said at the launch of the agricultural sector digitisation programme in Dar es Salaam yesterday that this initiative would reduce post-harvest losses and create new economic opportunities for smallholder farmers across the country.

The initiative is led by the United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund, with support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The European Union country delegation will be working with the UN resident coordinator and private sector foundations that are critical to implementing the programme, providing financial and technical support.

A joint programme steering committee (JPSC), co-chaired by Agriculture permanent secretary Susan Ngongi Namondo and the resident coordinator will oversee implementation of the data for the digital agricultural transformation programme.

The Agriculture top executive said the committee will monitor the progress of the initiative, ensuring it is aligned with national policies and remains tied to its objectives, as the joint programme represents the power of partnerships.

“By leveraging technology, data and finance, we can unlock new opportunities for smallholder farmers and drive sustainable food systems," she said, underlining that providing smallholder farmers with access to a suite of digital tools designed to improve their agricultural practices is at the heart of the transformation project.

 The programme will introduce real-time market prices, personalised weather forecasts and expert agronomic advice, all intended to help farmers make informed decisions, as by utilising financial technology (fintech) farmers’ access to credit will improve, especially for women and youth, she stated.

Increasing digital literacy among farmers and enabling them to effectively use such technologies is being done by offering targeted training and resources, to bridge the digital divide and empower farmers to fully benefit from digital innovations.

A key factor in the programme's success will be the establishment of strong public-private partnerships that will scale up digital innovations across Tanzania’s agricultural sector, recognising the essential role of development partners and the private sector.

Policy makers have over the past year appealed for increased investment in digital agriculture, where the deputy permanent secretary asserted that the government is pursuing a policy framework that fosters innovation, investment and sustainable agricultural growth.

Stressing the significance of agro-sector transformation, he said that digital transformation is not an option as it is a necessity for modern agriculture. “We are committed to ensuring that farmers across Tanzania benefit from digital solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, and resilience," he added.