TANZANIA – Tanzania’s agricultural sector is poised for a significant boost following the recent agreement with China, allowing the export of sunflower seed cakes.
This agreement was formalised during President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s official visit to China, where she attended the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit from September 4 to 6, 2024.
The summit was a pivotal moment for African nations, as Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China would provide 100% tariff-free access for African products, including those from Tanzania.
Sunflower seed cakes, a key by-product of sunflower oil production, are highly valuable as a protein-rich component in animal feed, especially for cattle, poultry, and aquaculture.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating, “We have met with major investors who are ready to invest in various crops to enhance value chains.”
One notable investor is the Mainland Group, which has committed to building a large sunflower oil processing factory in Tanzania.
This factory, expected to process between 30,000 and 35,000 tonnes of sunflower seeds annually, represents a significant investment of US$28 million in the Dodoma Region.
Silinde noted, “As we know, the demand for sunflower oil in our country is high and local production remains a challenge.”
The Mainland Group’s investment in a sunflower oil processing factory in the Dodoma Region will boost oil production and increase the availability of sunflower seed cakes for local feed producers.
During a June tour of the factory site, Yueyang City Mayor Xie Weijiang highlighted the factory’s modern facilities, which are designed to produce high-quality sunflower oil.
He remarked, “The factory is very modern and will produce high-quality oil from sunflower seeds,” indicating the potential for enhanced local production capabilities.
The agreements reached during President Hassan’s visit are expected to address local demand for sunflower oil while meeting quality standards necessary for export to China.
However, details regarding the specific terms of the trade agreement remain undisclosed, leaving some uncertainty about the deal’s implications.
Silinde also pointed out that this visit marks a crucial step toward modernising Tanzania’s agricultural sector.
He explained, “We have been given the opportunity to witness how China is opening its markets to African agricultural products, particularly from Tanzania.”
Previously, Tanzania faced restrictions on exporting agricultural goods to China, but the FOCAC summit has opened new avenues for trade.
In line with President Hassan’s vision for the agricultural sector, Tanzania aims to shift from traditional rain-fed farming to modern irrigation practices.
“The President has directed that farmers should no longer rely on rain-fed agriculture but instead on irrigation,” Silinde stated.
This strategy includes building dams and harvesting water for irrigation, essential for enhancing agricultural productivity.
The FOCAC summit also saw China allocate funds for irrigation projects across Africa over the next three years.
Silinde confirmed, “Tanzania will be among the beneficiaries of these funds, and in that period, we aim to complete ongoing irrigation projects and open new areas for irrigation.”
The construction of 140 large dams is planned, which will transform Tanzania’s agricultural landscape.
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