President William Ruto’s plan to subsidize agricultural production paid off after announcing that the country would harvest 60 million bags of maize in 2023.
Speaking on Thursday, September 7, in Dar Es Salaam during the Africa Food Systems Forum 2023 hosted by President Samia Suluhu, Ruto noted that the programme helped the country surpass the 2022 maize harvest by over 20 million.
He added that the increased production — of more than 20 Million bags compared to last year — was due to the accessibility, affordability, and availability of seeds and fertilizers.
“We are now addressing the post-harvest losses that we have been suffering from,” Ruto stated.
He noted that the government had purchased mobile driers and is now fixing the market infrastructure where value will be added to farm produce.
During the forum, Ruto challenged the Heads of State to utilize arable land to increase agricultural production and reduce reliance on food donations.
“We must utilize the enormous arable lands that we have to our advantage,” he said.
President Ruto noted that the favourable weather coupled with the deliberate recruitment of the youth into the sector will further make Africa’s food stable.
Further, he urged Presidents to involve youths to increase production and also solve the unemployment crisis.
“A new narrative around agriculture will make it attract more young people who can help us produce more efficiently,” Ruto noted.
He cited the employment of new technology and increased mechanization as some of the strategies to use.
“Food is emotive. We must work with other stakeholders to think and plan to get it right,” he insisted.
President Suluhu echoed Ruto’s sentiment insisting that Africa was capable of feeding itself through the adoption of proper practices.
Other Presidents agreed to find ways of removing trade barriers to facilitate the free exchange of goods and services.
