TAHA, TAPP agree to engage other public and private partners in efforts to upscale technologies for better access

TANZANIA Horticultural Association (TAHA) and the USAID funded  Tanzania Agriculture Productivity Programe (TAPP) have agreed in  

principal to engage other public and private partners in efforts to up-scale technologies for better access and use by actors within and 

outside the value chains using various platforms and or mechanisms.

According to the Executive Director for TAHA, Ms. Jacqueline Mkindi (pictured), said "I wish to inform you of this exciting initiative expecting to deliver  tangible impact to horticultural communities in Tanzania, and also to let you know that, in the process, we shall be directly engaging with government research and training institutions such as Sokoine

University of Agriculture (SUA), Uyole Research Institution in Mbeya, 

Horticulture Research and Training Institution (HORTI-Tengeru), and

Kizimbani Research Center in Zanzibar in establishing the PTCs."

Ms. Mkindi said that the objectives of this initiative are also in

line with the MAFC-TAHA infrastructure development project aiming at

establishing farmer service centers in Morogoro, Njombe, Dar es Salaam

and Coast regions.

She noted that establishment of Practical Training Centers (PTCs)

where innovative technologies will be packaged and demonstrated which

has been identified as one of the most viable vehicles to; provide an

opportunity to farmers and other stakeholders to practically learn of

the innovations around production and handling of perishables.

Others are to create a window for input dealers to showcase their

quality products, while at the same time allowing farmers chance to

participate in the selection of best input varieties, and enhancing

their knowledge and understanding of available technologies for

improved production and productivity; and Ensure sustainability in

providing practical technical capacity services to industry

stakeholders.

TAHA and the TAPP are prime partners in supporting horticultural value

chains in Tanzania. The two partners are actively involved in capacity

building of value chain actors thereby introducing innovative and

affordable technologies for improved production and productivity along

with increasing market access of horticulture products from rural

farmers.

TAHA is an apex private sector member based organization and has

participated effectively in transforming the Tanzania horticulture

since its establishment in year 2004. The association is currently the

fastest growing farmer organization in the region which catalyzes

actions and commitment in support of the industry development and

inclusive growth.

As a result of TAHA interventions, the horticultural industry has

attracted enormous support from a number of partners including the

government of Tanzania and the Development Partners such as USAID,

BEST-AC, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, ITC, and Finnish Government.

As a business oriented organization, TAHA offers an industry mouth

piece, a voicing platforms safeguarding and promoting the interests of

all the value chain actors in the horticultural industry namely

producers, exporters, processors, and service providers of flowers,

fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs and horticultural seeds.

TAPP is a USAID funded five year programe implemented by Fintrac Inc.

in conjuction with TAHA. It is designed to increase smallholder

farmers' incomes through enhanced productivity, crop diversification

and improved market access.