National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy (2023 - 2030).

The National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy (NEOAS) is a sectoral document designed to accelerate the impacts of ongoing initiatives for sustainability, income generation, and food security by providing a framework for government and private sector initiatives, and supporting new actions and partnerships in line with Tanzania's priorities for agricultural transformation. Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) is a key initiative in the country, addressing crucial issues such as environmental conservation, sustainable land and water management, biodiversity protection, health and safety, and climate change mitigation. Field consultations with farmers have also shown that EOA, through Organic Agriculture (OA) practices, successfully generates income and creates employment. The overall goal of the Strategy is to accelerate the development and mainstreaming of ecological organic agriculture in the subsector into existing national frameworks for agricultural sector development, thereby enhancing sustainable environmental conservation and improving health, income, and food security by 2030. The document identifies 8 priority areas for strategic interventions, they are (i) EOA Inputs and other generative resources; (ii) Marketing of EOA products; (iii) Processing and value addition; (iv) Research and development; (v) Coordination; (vi) Training and technology transfers; (vii) Networking and partnerships; (viii) Cross-cutting issues including marketing information system and entrepreneurship, EOA financing, capacity building, communication, education and awareness, women and youth empowerment, Public Private Partnerships, technology development and transfer, and gender mainstreaming.
In a view of the priority areas identified, the following are the strategic objectives, to be reached by 2030 (i) enhance capacity of institutions for research, training and extension systems in developing and disseminating appropriate EOA technologies and practices; (ii) promote availability and accessibility of EOA inputs and appropriate farm machineries (tools, equipment and implements); (iii) strengthen Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system to access and disseminate appropriate EOA information; (iv) strengthening networking, capacity in EOA sub-sector organizations and institutional coordination framework; (v) ensure compliance of standards and certification of EOA products at affordable cost; (vi) facilitate development of EOA value chains; (vii) strengthen environmental conservation using Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Nature-based Solution; (viii) mainstream cross-cutting issues in EOA sub-sector; (ix) facilitate acquisition and accessibility of financial resources for EOA investment; (x) facilitate development and use of irrigation infrastructure in EOA production systems; (xi) enhance availability, accessibility and utilization of land for EOA; (xii) increase the business and trade volumes of EOA products in the national, regional and international markets.
The Strategy will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with relevant ministries establishing guidelines, mobilizing resources, and overseeing all activities. Public institutions will drive technology and skill development, quality assurance, and certification. At the same time, non-state actors like NGOs and private companies will be crucial for input supply, community mobilization, financial services, and market development. Development Partners and media will further support the Strategy through funding, technical advice, and awareness campaigns, ensuring broad stakeholder involvement and effective dissemination of EOA practices across Tanzania's agricultural sector.