NORWAY and Tanzania have signed a three year project (2025-2027) seeking to foster inclusive economic growth and improve food security.

David Silinde, the Agriculture deputy minister said at the signing ceremony that the project is geared at reducing poverty, enhancing coordination and promoting agriculture commercialisation.

The project is valued at $1,348,466 (3.4bn/-), signed with the Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO), a newly created department in the ministry coordinating major agro-sector outlays and initiatives.

The Norwegian support is geared at addressing agricultural regulatory barriers, attracting private sector investment and scaling up the Agriculture Growth Corridors of Tanzania (SAGCOT) model to the rest of the country during the life of the project.

Enhanced coordination, improved smallholder agriculture and the promotion of inclusive markets, trade and finance are critical components of the project, he said.

It similarly seeks to improve investment environments and support the role of farmer organizations and cooperatives, particularly in empowering women and youth in the agri-food sector, he said.

The project stems from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in February 2024 that emphasizes cooperation in food security and agriculture.

It also focuses on facilitating private sector investments and improving access to financial services for small and medium-sized food sector enterprises, he elaborated.

It is expected to enhance local smallholder farmers' access to affordable finance and market opportunities, contributing to the "building a better tomorrow" programme seeking out youth and women to develop gainful occupations in the agriculture sector, he elaborated.

Creating sustainable, market-led solutions boosting food security, trade and economic growth for farmers and communities is emphasised, with Norway acknowledging that progress has been made in creating an enabling environment for agricultural transformation.

It pointed at policies and programmes such as the Agriculture Growth Corridors and setting up the Presidential Agriculture Advisory Council.

Tone Tinnes, the resident Norwegian ambassador, reiterated the importance of the partnership, underlining bilateral cooperation on food security and climate matters.