Tanzania : Paddy output hits 2.6m tonnes, ups food security
Tanzania achieved paddy output of 2.6 million tonnes in 2024/25, creating a strong surplus over domestic needs. Rising exports and government support boost food security, though low yields and post-harvest losses remain key challenges for future growth.
PADDY production reached 2.6 million tonnes in the 2024/2025 season, surpassing the national requirement of 1.2 million tonnes and creating a surplus of 1.4 million tonnes.
The increase has strengthened food security, with the government now targeting production of 8 million tonnes by 2030 while reducing post-harvest losses from 25 per cent to below 10 per cent.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for Crop Development and Food Security, Prof Peter Msoffe, revealed this while officiating the National Rice Stakeholders’ Conference held recently in Morogoro Region.
He said the progress recorded in the rice subsector reflects strategic government investments that have boosted food security, created employment and supported economic growth.
Prof Msoffe said that 298,715 tonnes of rice have been exported to markets within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), generating more than 333.5bn/- in foreign exchange earnings.
Despite the gains, he said productivity remains below potential, with average yields at 3.2 tonnes per hectare compared to a possible 6 tonnes per hectare.
Meanwhile, Director for Crop Development and Standards, Ms Pendo Bigambo, representing the Director General of the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), said the authority’s establishment in 2023 has strengthened regulation across the agricultural value chain and improved trade transparency.
She said registration and licensing of rice traders has already begun and will be expanded to include farmers and farms to improve efficiency across the subsector.
The Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tanzania, Mr Ara Hitoshi, said continued cooperation between Tanzania and Japan has supported agricultural development through projects aligned with the national rice strategy.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the annual value of paddy produced in the country exceeds 2.58tri/- . However, post-harvest losses remain a challenge, with about 190,000 tonnes lost annually, translating into losses of approximately 276bn/-.
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Source : Daily News
