On June 4, CNFA/TAGMARK launched the first-ever Tanzanian National Agrodealer Convention. The two-day convention, titled, “Towards a Green Revolution in Africa,” brought together 100 stakeholders from the Tanzanian agricultural sector, including 80 agrodealers from all over the country.

The attendees affirmed their commitment to creating a Tanzanian Agrodealer Association, which would be the first of its kind in the country. The assembled group elected a national interim steering committee tasked with drafting the association’s constitution and organizing a second convention later in the year to elect the national executive board and officially launch the Tanzania National Agrodealer Association. The steering committee will also include a representative from Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Co-operatives, one from CNFA and a legal consultant.

Speaking at the event on behalf of the Regional Commissioner, Assistant Director for Agricultural Inputs Dr. M. Msolla said, “I challenge all agrodealers to own the concept of a national agrodealer association which I believe is the perfect forum to engage the government in enactment, review and implementation of agricultural policies as well as enforce efficiency, accountability and professionalism in the input distribution systems.”

Calling the convention “the beginning of a success story for both agrodealers and farmers in Tanzania,” CNFA Country Director Fernandos Vallerian encouraged agrodealers to share their opinions with the national interim steering committee in drafting the association constitution by forwarding their views and ensuring a smooth formation of the national agrodealer association later in the year.

During the conference, there were also other presentations, including one by the National Microfinance Bank on loan facilities management and one on the importance of agrodealer associations in input delivery systems given by the Tanzania Seed Trade Association (TASTA).