FARMERS in Tanzania's central zone are set to benefit from a new agriculture initiative designed to position the region as the country’s mango production hub.

The ambitious project, known as Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (AGCOT), aims to introduce farmers to advanced agronomic practices for mango cultivation, with an expected launch in the upcoming fiscal year.

The initiative, which will span over 20 years, is an extension of the successful Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT). Geoffrey Kirenga, SAGCOT Chief Executive Officer unveiled this here on Wednesday, highlighting the central zone's agricultural potential for producing a variety of mangoes.

“The central zone has the capacity to support vast mango production, a crop that stands as one of the country’s high-value export foods. Its export potential is significantly higher than that of cashew nuts, currently generating 10 times more income for the country,” he noted.

AGCOT’s implementation will focus on improving production and productivity of strategic crops identified by the government’s agricultural master plan across various zones. The areas are the Northern Zone (Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Tanga), Southern Zone (Lindi, Mtwara, and Ruvuma), Central Zones (Dodoma, Singida and Tabora) and Lake Zone (Shinyanga, Mwanza, Geita, Simiyu, Mara and Kagera).

Drawing from the successes of SAGCOT, which introduced round potato cultivation in Njombe, Kirenga explained: “Before SAGCOT, no one in Njombe spoke about potatoes. Today, it is the leading region for potato production, exporting large quantities to Kenya.”

He emphasized that the AGCOT initiative will see 99 percent of the investment come from the private sector. The project aims to enhance the livelihoods of both farmers and pastoralists in the targeted regions by introducing them to improved agricultural practices, value addition techniques and market linkages.

With the project’s blueprint nearing completion, Kirenga revealed that the exact financial requirements for the 20-year initiative will soon be determined. AGCOT will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector to ensure its success.

AGCOT is a visionary extension of SAGCOT, which has already made strides in boosting agricultural productivity in various regions. As the project unfolds, it holds the potential to revolutionize Tanzania's agriculture sector, starting with the central zone’s mango industry.